Acumen

Wami Agro is an agri-tech company focused on empowering smallholder farmers in Ghana to improve agricultural production and market access. By utilizing a tech-enabled platform, Wami Agro partners with over 10,000 smallholder farmers to grow, aggregate, and sell a variety of crops, including rice, maize, soya bean, and cassava. The company emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices such as precision farming, which enhances productivity while promoting environmental stewardship. Through its interventions, Wami Agro facilitates easy access to credit and markets, enabling farmers to sell their produce to poultry farmers, fast-moving consumer goods companies, distributors, and food service businesses. This approach not only supports the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but also contributes to food security and climate change mitigation.

Raino Tech4Impact is a social enterprise that leveraging technology as an enabler to empower African communities. Founded in 2014, They have been developing technology-driven solutions in health, agriculture, sports, green energy and offer business support services. In partnership with various key players in different sectors, they have developed unique and efficient different use cases of technological solutions impacting millions of lives.

SunCulture, located in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in solar-powered drip irrigation systems designed to enhance agricultural productivity while promoting sustainability. The company offers the AgroSolar Irrigation Kit, which integrates solar water pumping technology with high-efficiency drip irrigation, providing farmers with a comprehensive solution to improve crop yields and reduce costs. This innovative kit not only supplies reliable access to water but also supports smallholder farmers by offering agronomic services, educational training, and access to financing and markets. SunCulture's unique approach positions it as a one-stop shop for Kenyan farmers, focusing on the quality of both its products and services, while also helping to minimize fertilizer waste through efficient application methods.

Aquarech is a company focused on enhancing fish farming practices to improve production efficiency and market access for fish farmers, particularly in Africa. It offers a comprehensive platform that enables farmers to source quality feed and adopt technology-driven precision fish farming techniques. By facilitating access to credit and promoting equal trade opportunities, Aquarech aims to reduce production costs and make tilapia more affordable and accessible. The company's initiatives contribute to food security and foster an inclusive aquaculture value chain that empowers local communities and enhances their livelihoods.

BharatRohan is a technology-driven company based in Hyderabad, India, that utilizes UAV-based hyperspectral imaging to enhance agricultural practices. Founded in 2016, the company collects and analyzes data from agricultural farms to provide actionable insights aimed at reducing crop losses and optimizing inputs. By employing advanced remote sensing techniques and artificial intelligence, BharatRohan delivers valuable information that supports precision agriculture, integrated pest management, and contract farming. Its services include realistic prescriptions for pest and disease treatment, as well as recommendations for fertilizer use to address mineral deficiencies. Additionally, the company offers forecasting services that predict crop yields, biomass, and developmental status, thereby empowering farmers with the knowledge needed to improve productivity and profitability. Through its innovative approach, BharatRohan aims to transform the Indian agricultural sector by fostering better communication between farmers and their crops.

Promethean Power Systems, Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing refrigeration systems tailored for cold-storage and milk chilling applications, particularly in off-grid and partially electrified regions. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, with an office in Pune, India, the company provides a range of products including milk chillers, cold storage units, solar add-ons, and smart monitoring solutions. Its innovative systems are aimed at dairy processors and individual farmers, helping them to reduce spoilage and enhance the quality of milk collected from rural areas. By enabling the preservation of milk at the village level, Promethean's technology not only lowers transportation costs for processors but also increases farmer incomes. The refrigeration systems are designed to operate on grid power and are equipped with a generator backup, with plans to incorporate thermal battery storage for greater efficiency in the future.

SimuSolar is dedicated to enhancing rural prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing and financing productive equipment for farmers and small businesses. The company specializes in energy-efficient, solar-powered solutions tailored for off-grid operations, including solar lights, irrigation systems, cold storage, and other tools that support agricultural and fishing activities. By offering innovative financing options, SimuSolar enables access to these essential technologies through flexible monthly payment plans, often facilitated by mobile money applications. This approach not only meets the specific needs of rural smallholders but also fosters sustainable economic growth in the region.

Sanergy, Inc. focuses on enhancing sanitation infrastructure in urban slums, particularly in Nairobi, Kenya. Established in 2010, the company builds a network of low-cost sanitation centers equipped with essential facilities such as toilets and showers. These centers are then franchised to local entrepreneurs, with financial support from microfinance institutions. Sanergy not only provides access to hygienic sanitation but also collects human waste daily for processing. This waste is converted into valuable byproducts, including organic fertilizers and renewable energy through a biogas generation process. The organic fertilizers are sold to both commercial farms and smallholder farmers, while the generated biogas is used to produce electricity for sale. Sanergy's mission is to promote public health and environmental sustainability by creating an efficient and equitable sanitation system that addresses the needs of underserved urban communities.

Regen Organics is dedicated to transforming agriculture, cities, and communities through innovative circular economy methods. The company specializes in managing residual organics in a climate-resilient agricultural sector, focusing on the manufacture and delivery of regenerative fertilizers, feeds, and fuels. By developing green technologies, Regen Organics aims to promote nurturing soils and thriving ecosystems, facilitating a sustainable future for the planet. With a commitment to environmental stewardship and a strong foundation of industry knowledge, the company seeks to drive meaningful change in agricultural practices and community development.

Sanergy, Inc. focuses on enhancing sanitation infrastructure in urban slums, particularly in Nairobi, Kenya. Established in 2010, the company builds a network of low-cost sanitation centers equipped with essential facilities such as toilets and showers. These centers are then franchised to local entrepreneurs, with financial support from microfinance institutions. Sanergy not only provides access to hygienic sanitation but also collects human waste daily for processing. This waste is converted into valuable byproducts, including organic fertilizers and renewable energy through a biogas generation process. The organic fertilizers are sold to both commercial farms and smallholder farmers, while the generated biogas is used to produce electricity for sale. Sanergy's mission is to promote public health and environmental sustainability by creating an efficient and equitable sanitation system that addresses the needs of underserved urban communities.

Husk Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. is a renewable energy company based in Patna, India, that focuses on generating and distributing electricity to households, community services, small businesses, and factories. Founded in 2007, the company utilizes biomass waste—such as rice husks and other agricultural residues—to produce electricity through its proprietary technology. Husk Power Systems designs and operates mini-power plants and micro-grids, offering electricity as a pay-for-use service primarily to rural areas. This approach not only provides reliable lighting, reducing reliance on kerosene, but also fosters economic development by enabling microenterprises and the use of electricity-operated machinery. By creating a sustainable energy ecosystem at each power plant, Husk Power Systems aims to deliver shared value to its stakeholders and stimulate local economies.

Virtual City Ltd. specializes in the development, customization, and implementation of mobility software solutions aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency in East Africa. With over a decade of experience, the company has established itself as a market leader by continuously adapting to client needs and integrating innovative technologies. Its product offerings include a range of supply chain automation solutions such as AgriManagr for automate produce purchasing, Auditr for real-time market information, Distributr for sales process management, Haulr for dispatch and delivery, Membr for customer relationship management, and Tracr for tracking product history. By focusing on end-to-end supply chain transformation, Virtual City aims to provide businesses with improved efficiency, visibility, and transparency, facilitating sales transactions, order placements, returns, and mobile payments in the field. The company is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

BASIX Krishi Samruddhi Ltd. is a company dedicated to supporting Indian farmers through a range of agriculture-related services. Established in 2010 and headquartered in Visakhapatnam, India, it offers essential services such as soil testing, sowing, vermicomposting, procurement, local value addition, risk mitigation, and market linkages for agro-commodities. The company also provides horticulture advisory services to assist farmers in improving their practices. BASIX Krishi Samruddhi focuses on enhancing productivity and reducing input costs for smallholder farmers by training and employing Livelihood Service Providers (LSPs), who deliver extension services and support to farmers regularly. This comprehensive approach aims to increase farmers' overall income and contribute to their sustainable development.

Juhudi Kilimo Company Limited is a Nairobi-based organization that specializes in providing asset financing, technical assistance, and business training services to smallholder farmers and small-to-medium agro-businesses in Kenya. Founded in 2004, the company offers financing options for various agricultural needs, including livestock such as dairy cows, goats, poultry, pigs, and fish farming. Additionally, it finances agricultural equipment, including irrigation systems and agro-processing machinery, as well as vehicles like motorcycles and bicycles for transporting farm goods. By offering these financial products and services, Juhudi Kilimo aims to improve the livelihoods of rural farmers and micro-entrepreneurs, empowering them with the resources and knowledge necessary for sustainable agricultural practices and business growth.

Gulu Agricultural Development Company (GADC) is a cotton ginning company based in Northern Uganda that supports over 55,000 smallholder farmers by providing them with access to the international agricultural market. The company aims to revitalize the region's cotton industry, which was severely impacted by decades of war and political instability. GADC offers essential support to former refugees, helping them regain their livelihoods. It provides farmers with inputs to enhance yields, purchases cotton and sesame for cash, and processes these crops for export to national and international buyers. This enables smallholder farmers to improve production efficiency and gain market access.

Western Seed Company Limited is a Kenya-based agricultural firm that focuses on the production of high-quality seed varieties to enhance crop yields for smallholder farmers. Established in 1986 and headquartered in Kitale, the company specializes in hybrid maize seeds, bean seeds, and other crops such as sorghum, millets, and peas. Its seed varieties are engineered to resist common agricultural challenges, including maize streak virus, grey leaf spot, and drought. By implementing advanced breeding and research techniques, Western Seed aims to significantly improve agricultural productivity, allowing farmers to potentially double their crop yields and increase their incomes. Over the last few years, the company has reached hundreds of thousands of farmers and continues to work towards impacting millions of households in East Africa.

Husk Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. is a renewable energy company based in Patna, India, that focuses on generating and distributing electricity to households, community services, small businesses, and factories. Founded in 2007, the company utilizes biomass waste—such as rice husks and other agricultural residues—to produce electricity through its proprietary technology. Husk Power Systems designs and operates mini-power plants and micro-grids, offering electricity as a pay-for-use service primarily to rural areas. This approach not only provides reliable lighting, reducing reliance on kerosene, but also fosters economic development by enabling microenterprises and the use of electricity-operated machinery. By creating a sustainable energy ecosystem at each power plant, Husk Power Systems aims to deliver shared value to its stakeholders and stimulate local economies.

Micro Drip is a company dedicated to providing affordable drip irrigation technology in Pakistan, aiming to support smallholder farmers. Its innovative systems significantly reduce water usage by 50 percent for cultivating an acre of land, while also enhancing crop yields by 40 percent and decreasing input costs by 30 percent. Designed for simplicity, these irrigation solutions are easy to deploy and maintain, requiring minimal technical knowledge, which empowers farmers to achieve higher productivity at lower costs. By enabling year-round farming, Micro Drip helps to alleviate the economic pressures that often force farmers and their families to migrate during dry seasons. The company has already reached over 3,000 farmers and is poised to impact more than 20,000 farmers in the next five years.

Micro Drip is a company dedicated to providing affordable drip irrigation technology in Pakistan, aiming to support smallholder farmers. Its innovative systems significantly reduce water usage by 50 percent for cultivating an acre of land, while also enhancing crop yields by 40 percent and decreasing input costs by 30 percent. Designed for simplicity, these irrigation solutions are easy to deploy and maintain, requiring minimal technical knowledge, which empowers farmers to achieve higher productivity at lower costs. By enabling year-round farming, Micro Drip helps to alleviate the economic pressures that often force farmers and their families to migrate during dry seasons. The company has already reached over 3,000 farmers and is poised to impact more than 20,000 farmers in the next five years.

S4S Technologies Private Limited, founded in 2008 and based in Mumbai, India, specializes in designing and manufacturing food processing machines, such as dehydrators and freeze dryers. The company's product lineup includes the Solar Conduction Dryer, HaldiTech, SmartDry, FrostDry, and Solar Grain and Seed Dryer, which are utilized to produce a variety of processed food items, including dehydrated vegetables, fruit candies, and powders. S4S Technologies also offers private labeling and contract processing services, catering to the needs of farmers and food companies. By leveraging technology and collaborating with partner organizations, S4S aims to create a sustainable supply chain for high-quality processed food products.