MassChallenge

Ecovon believe that there is a better way of making building materials. That is why we are focusing our energy on completely rethinking and re-designing how the new generation of building materials is made. Ecovon are developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet. Ecovon will bring the first non-additive, bio-based, renewable wood product to market which is naturally flame retardant and anti-fungal without added binders (glues). The physical properties are better than comparable engineered woods on the market currently, all which use additives and heavy chemicals to reach additional flame retardant properties while reducing our CO2 footprint, deforestation and enriching the lives of locals in coconut and sugarcane producing developing countries such as Ghana. The board material has been shown to exhibit excellent properties, which are comparable with or even superior to commercial wood based panels. Our product is stronger and more durable, priced considerably less, and greener. Coconut husk has the highest lignin content of any known plant and this helps the raw material to bind into a hard board without the addition of any damaging glue or binder. Due to its strength the board has the potential to be used for structural elements in buildings. It also has natural anti-fungal properties and burns three times slower than wood. The method is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The residual material of the coconut is used in its entirety. It is a good alternative to wood and helps to prevent deforestation. During production, glue and chemical agents do not need to be added. Furthermore, the production is CO2 neutral. It is inexpensive. The glue that has to be added when boards based on wood fibre are made contributes to one third of the total production costs. Glue is not required to process coconut husk into board material. It can form an extra source of income for farmers in developing countries

EcoAct Tanzania is a manufacturer focused on energy conservation and sustainable building materials by recycling post-consumer plastic waste. The company employs chemical-free plastic extrusion technology to transform waste plastics, packaging materials, and agricultural byproducts into durable and eco-friendly plastic lumber. This innovative approach not only provides a viable alternative to traditional wood timbers but also ensures that the resulting products are termite-free, resistant to rot, and cost-effective. By converting waste into valuable materials, EcoAct Tanzania contributes to environmental sustainability while offering affordable solutions for construction and building needs.

Nile Agro Value Chain is an agribusiness startup in agriculture that identifies the set of actors and activities that bring a basic agricultural product from production in the field to final consumption, where at each stage value is added to the product. Nile Agro value Chain achieves this through vertical linking or a network between various independent business organizations and by involving them into food processing, packaging, storage, transport and distribution. The startup also engage in traditional agricultural value chains by generally through spot market transactions involving a large number of small retailers and producers. The venture also characterize agriculture value chain by vertical coordination, consolidation of the supply base, agro-industrial processing and use of standards throughout the chain. The venture achieves its mission in agriculture value chain through agricultural mechanization, traditional farming, farm portfolio investments, interstate trade of agricultural commodities, online trade of food produce through its online marketplace, aggregating farmers into a multipurpose cooperative society, linking farmers to off-takers, contract farming, food processing, providing extension services and collaborating with different stakeholders in the agriculture value chain in Uganda,Africa and beyond. We are currently working with over 1,200 farmers in Ibanda District aggregated or organized under our farmers groups and cooperative society.

GoTeff Superfoods is an agricultural development company focused on supporting teff farmers in Ethiopia. By providing resources and expertise, the company aims to enhance the productivity of these farmers. GoTeff specializes in producing superfoods derived from teff, a highly nutritious grain known for promoting endurance and overall health. Through its initiatives, GoTeff not only helps improve the livelihoods of farmers but also offers customers access to nutrient-rich products that contribute to their well-being.

Neema Food produces delicious Central African condiments and sauces. The company's sauces are made from their family recipe from DRCongo going back to 3 generations. Neema Food was established in 2015 in London, England.

Takachar is focused on creating a network of waste management enterprises in Kenya that convert agricultural residues into eco-friendly charcoal, providing an affordable cooking fuel for low-income households. The company has developed low-cost technologies that can be locally manufactured and have been successfully tested in Kenya over the past three years. Since its inception, Takachar has assisted in establishing seven local waste-to-charcoal enterprises, some of which have achieved operational profitability. To date, Takachar has created approximately 100 jobs and sold 50 tons of eco-char. The company aims to demonstrate the long-term financial sustainability of these enterprises, with the intention of developing a franchise network in the future. Additionally, Takachar employs oxygen-lean torrefaction reactors to transform biomass into commercially viable products, helping farmers prevent the open burning of agricultural waste while providing them with opportunities to generate extra income through value-added chemicals.

Tuverl is an application focused on enhancing public transportation accessibility and affordability for commuters in Africa, beginning with Zimbabwe. It provides two mobile applications: the Commuter App, which allows users to track intracity buses and minibuses in real-time, book intercity trips, hail taxis on demand, and make payments through local fintech solutions, and the Operator App, designed for public transport operators. The Operator App enables drivers and operators to broadcast vehicle locations, manage fleets, and process digital fares, ultimately increasing commuter numbers and reducing wasted resources. By leveraging cloud computing, data analytics, geolocation, fintech, and machine learning, Tuverl aims to transform public transport while promoting Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities. Through its innovative approach, Tuverl seeks to improve urban mobility and support the development of smart, resilient communities across African nations.

OffGridBox is a modular and compact unit that provides renewable energy and clean water in remote areas and developing countries. Their OffGridBox™, an all-in-one system, fits entirely inside a 6x6x6 feet shipping container and is equipped with all the hardware needed to produce electricity and clean water. This innovative technology is a solution for more than 2 billion people worldwide that need energy and clean water on a daily basis. One unit potentially managed by a local women co-op in a Rwandese village can impact up to 300 families (circa 1500 people) providing Tier 1 electricity and sterilized water. They deployed 38 units in 9 Countries (Italy, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Philippines, Madagascar, US and Colombia) for different segments: humanitarian, household retail, service to industry. These units have operated more than 400,000 working hours.

Creating a waste management system in secondary cities that collect urban waste for composting and anaerobic digestion to produce Fertilizer and Energy. We imagine a world in which cities obtain social, economic and environmental value from waste and are therefore healthier and more sustainable places. Our mission is to change how cities in sub-Saharan Africa view their waste. Through innovation of waste systems in small and medium-sized African cities we will provide fertilizer to farmers, energy to businesses, improve the local environment and community health, and create jobs to reduce poverty.

Cocoa360 is a 501(c)3 that empowers lives in rural Ghana. Using an innovative approach to female education and rural empowerment, they employ a financial model that capitalizes on the agricultural and vocational skills found in farming communities.

Direct Coffee operates with a mission to create a lasting social impact in Africa by utilizing a business model centered on specialty coffee. The company imports coffee directly from smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and offers it in various forms, including biodegradable Nespresso-compatible capsules, whole beans, and ground coffee, primarily for the European market. Each purchase made by customers contributes to supporting the education and well-being of a child from a coffee-farming family through projects of their choice. Direct Coffee also provides a flexible subscription service for consumers, ensuring they have a consistent supply of quality coffee without interruptions. The company's approach not only simplifies the coffee supply chain but also promotes sustainability and social responsibility.

DryGro Ltd. is an agriculture technology company based in Oxford, United Kingdom, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing innovative growing techniques to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and animal feed crops in arid and otherwise unproductive lands. By utilizing water lentils, which grow significantly faster and require less water than traditional crops like soybean, DryGro offers a sustainable alternative for producing high-quality feed ingredients for aquaculture, dairy, beef, and poultry industries. The company aims to lower the cost of feed ingredients while promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. DryGro has received recognition from various organizations, including the European Space Agency and Innovate UK, and is currently working on a demonstration farm in Naivasha, Kenya, supported by partnerships with SNV Netherlands Development Agency and the UK Department for International Development.

Good Nature Agro is a social enterprise based in Chipata, Zambia, focused on empowering small-scale farmers to generate sustainable income. The company recruits groups of farmers who nominate a member to serve as a Private Extension Agent (PEA). These PEAs receive training in agronomy and community engagement, enabling them to provide tailored support and guidance to fellow farmers throughout the growing season. Good Nature Agro supplies quality legume seeds and offers loans to facilitate improved farming practices. At harvest time, the company serves as a reliable market for the produce, specifically certified legume seeds, which allows farmers to earn significantly more compared to traditional cash crops like maize and cotton. Since its founding in 2014, Good Nature Agro has aimed to enhance agricultural productivity and income for local farming communities.

mDoc is a digital health company which leverages a high-tech high-touch approach to optimize the end-to-end care for people living with chronic conditions in Nigeria. We harness behavioral science, quality improvement methodologies, data and technology to provide an integrated care solution for people with chronic and regular health needs.

Taste of Kenya connects you directly with farmers in Kenya and provide you the best Kenyan coffee.Taste of Kenya is an online marketplace based in Europe that connects Kenyan farmers to coffee roasters in the EU through direct trade. This will ensure the supply chain is shortened resulting in a fairer price for the farmer whilst the roasters benefits through better traceability of coffee.

eFarm.cm operates as a comprehensive eCommerce and value chain partner in agribusiness, focusing on the promotion and sale of agro-pastoral products from Cameroon and across Africa. The platform facilitates connections between buyers and sellers, integrating information and communication technology to streamline the buying and selling of agricultural goods. It offers various online payment methods and collaborates with logistics companies to ensure the safe transport and delivery of products. In addition to providing an online marketplace, eFarm.cm supports producers by offering technical and logistical assistance in areas such as production, harvest, and post-harvest management, particularly in remote farming communities. The company also engages in the production, preservation, and sale of agricultural goods to maintain reliable supply chains. Furthermore, eFarm.cm features an academy that provides training and practical experience in agriculture, enhancing the skills of individuals within the sector.

Ajiri Tea is a company rooted in the community of western Kenya, specifically the Kisii District, where it sources its black tea from small-scale farmers. The name "Ajiri," meaning "to employ" in Swahili, reflects the organization's commitment to creating job opportunities, particularly for women who handcraft the product labels. The company specializes in offering flavored, all-natural black tea and roasted coffee, utilizing unique ingredients such as dried banana bark. Profits generated from sales are directed to the Ajiri Foundation, which provides educational support by paying school fees for orphans in the region. Through its business model, Ajiri Tea not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also fosters social impact by empowering local communities and contributing to the education of vulnerable children.

Spire Education, Inc. is an education provider based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2013. The company develops learning programs focused on professional skills and workplace attitudes, offering a blend of online content from elite U.S. universities and offline instructional design from leading charter schools. Spire's approach combines in-person training with practical work experience and coaching, ensuring that new concepts translate into effective work habits. This innovative model aims to deliver high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of traditional options, making it accessible to underserved students in emerging markets. As of November 2017, Spire Education operates as a subsidiary of Shortlist Professional Services Private Limited.

ZanaAfrica Group is a Kenyan social enterprise focused on providing affordable, high-quality menstrual products specifically designed for women in Kenya. The organization manufactures Nia sanitary pads, which support over 100,000 females in managing menstruation with dignity. ZanaAfrica emphasizes health education by incorporating informative materials on its product packaging and offering a hotline and chatbot service to address women's questions about menstruation, relationships, and safety. This approach not only meets the immediate needs of women and girls but also fosters a deeper understanding of their bodies. By combining non-profit motivation with business strategies, ZanaAfrica aims to create a sustainable model that can be replicated internationally. Profits generated by the company are allocated to an endowment for the ZanaAfrica Foundation, ensuring ongoing support for its social mission.

Emergent Energy provides renewable energy and energy efficient solutions and consulting services using state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies. Founded on the belief that our energy systems should be healthier, cleaner, more efficient and more reliable, this company strives to make a positive contribution to the development of South Africa’s energy sector in ways that will sustain the natural environment. The team at Emergent Energy has extensive local and international experience in the renewable energy and broader energy sectors, offering expertise in grid-tied and off-grid renewable energy systems, sustainable building design, industrial and commercial energy efficiency, and international and local renewable energy policy. Emergent Energy’s service offering includes tailored solar PV solutions for commercial and industrial clients, green building services, Energy Heat Pump installations, and resource assessment.