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 A Kenyan agri-tech startup, DigiCow is among the three African ventures that won the 2022 AYuTe Africa Challenge, securing shares of $1.5 million in grant funding and access to expert advisors.

 ThriveAgric of Nigeria and Botswana-based Brastorne Enterprises are the other two African agri-tech startups to scoop similar accolades from Heifer International.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge is part of Heifer International’s commitment to assisting young entrepreneurs in creating accessible tech breakthroughs as they try to expand their businesses. Its goal is to promote agri-tech innovators on the continent.

DigiCow is an agri-tech firm using digital tools to modernize production on small-scale dairy farms whereas ThriveAgric is a fast-growing startup boosting farmer incomes and production with its breakthrough “agriculture operating system”; and Brastorne Enterprises has developed digital technology for feature phones that is narrowing Africa’s rural digital divide.

In a statement, the senior vice president of Africa programs at Heifer International, Adesuwa Ifedi said, “At a time when Africa is facing unprecedented food-related challenges, it is incredibly inspiring to see these young African champions firmly focused on an agriculture-led future that provides farmers with the innovations they need to succeed.” 

This competition was launched in 2021 to challenge African youths to present innovations that would impact farming, locally and across the continent.

“ThriveAgric, DigiCow and Brastorne are more than ready to meet the moment.”