2022 Edition

Multicultural teams to create innovative solutions

Mauritania Edition

Program that promotes entrepreneurship

In this 2022 edition, the program is focused on entrepreneurs (or profiles with motivation about entreprenuership) who live in Mauritania and the Canary Islands. In total, there will be up to 40 final participants (20 Mauritanians and 20 Canarians), who will work in multicultural teams to create innovative technology-based solutions that respond to challenges identified in the agricultural sector of both territories.

The best ideas will continue to receive support to obtain funding and turn into real business projects.

Which AgriTech challenges will be addressed in this edition?

Challenge proposed by IDeTIC (ULPGC)
The decision of farmers and agricultural companies when adopting new technologies is one of the most complex challenges and is subject to different variables, from training to incentives for innovation and the cost-opportunity relationship, among others. Demonstrating the efficient and easy use of IoT devices (drones, sensors, etc.) and their impact on productivity and efficiency can make their introduction easier and faster. It is proposed to work on the development of use cases capable of resolving the entry barriers that technology encounters in agricultural production.

Challenge proposed by ICIA
The widespread use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture is often due to the difficulty in managing, transporting and applying organic amendments (especially for small producers) and, in addition, to the lack of confidence about the quality of the final product obtained. We propose to work on the development of simple methodologies that promote the use and recovery of organic leftovers from the control of invasive plants, such as Thypa, and their transformation into organic amendments of quality and uniform composition for agriculture application.

Challenge proposed by Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC)
Climate change will lead to more intense and longer-lasting droughts, so this challenge poses a three-pronged solution. 1. Training farmers and entrepreneurs in the use of greenhouses, including the social and economic aspects. 2. Through the development of desalination plants that allow irrigation water to be obtained with or without renewable energies. 3. Adaptation of crops and grazing, which are already suffering from weather changes.

Challenge proposed by Startup Mauritania Incubator
Some regions in Mauritania are mainly characterized by low rainfall and desertification, contributing to the degradation of pastures and natural resources and therefore livelihoods and food security. The challenge is therefore to develop innovative solutions aimed at increasing the availability of productive land, through the implementation of soil management and restoration techniques and environmental conservation measures.

Challenge proposed by Gesplan.
Pasturing with low livestock rates allows biomass to be reduced without a significant decrease in biodiversity and without the disappearance of native or endemic species, or the appearance of exotic species. It is essential to take into account the livestocking capacity of each territory and the protected plant species. With this challenge, it is intended that traditional pasturing will evolve into 21st century pasturing, directed and controlled thanks to the joint work of shepherds, technologies and technicians, where the objective is not only the production of foods such as cheese, milk or meat, but the sustainable management of the territory.

Challenge proposed by ASOMBROSA
Women play a leading and crucial role in the agricultural sector, both in Africa and in the Canary Islands, carrying out jobs such as food production, processing and marketing. Its role in agriculture is essential. However, they are poorly represented in planning research programmes, setting priorities, making decisions and directing research and development activities in the field. It is proposed to promote and stimulate a greater female presence in the development of proposals and use cases.

Program’s Workflow

Committed participants

Africa Canarias
We are looking for participants who are committed and passionate about creating a positive impact in their community and who are at least curious about entrepreneurship.

Change the world

Africa Canarias
We are looking for motivation, people who wants to “change the world”, work in social entrepreneurship and build a viable company through this experience. This pre-selection will conclude with a maximum of 30 candidates per region.

First general formation

Online
A first general online training will be given related to lessons on entrepreneurship, AgriTech, social innovation and multiculturalism with a specific focus on both geographical areas.

Final selection

Online
After the initial training, a maximum of 20 participants per region will be selected.

First Bootcamp

In person
The first Bootcamp will be held in person so that the participants get to know each other (in the Canary Islands).

Team building

In person
Specific contextual training on the topics already mentioned will be given and multicultural working groups will be created based on the identified challenges they will work on.

Building a Social Enterprise

Online
Online training & teamwork: Idea validation, concept formulation and application, market study, business model draft and rototyping Financial Modeling.

Coach to each team

Online
In modules 3 and 4, a coach will be assigned to each team to support them during the development of their projects. Furthermore, the teams will also receive advice from mentors, specialized in the fields they are working on, who will help them to shape the business solutions they will present.

Final event

During the final event in Mauritania, the teams will have to present their projects in front of a jury of investors, who will select the best proposals.

Reward

Those teams whose projects are selected will continue to receive training and support with the aim of bringing their ideas to the business market, creating economy and a positive impact from their communities to the world.

The adventure continues at the end of the program.

The big prize.

Investment Readiness

The winners will have access to an Investment Readiness Programme, designed and delivered by Co-Creation HUB, a leading international innovation centre. The objective? To attract funding and private investment to bring the projects to reality.

Community of entrepreneurs

But that’s not all! All participants will be part of an international community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, etc. The idea? To have access to training, initiatives and business opportunities related to impact entrepreneurship and to further develop ourselves as agents of change.

REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE

  • Be a citizen and a resident in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, or
  • Being a Canarian resident.
  • 18 and 40 years old.
  • High written and oral comprehension levels in English and/or French.
  • Be committed to create a positive impact in the communities of Mauritania and / or the Canary Islands.
  • It is not necessary to have a project or company already up and running. Projects will be co-created during the Program.

PRE-SELECCTION CRITERIA

  • Academic and/or professional background in agriculture – 1,5 points
  • Vocational Training – 1 point, or
  • Bachelor’s degree – 1 points
  • Master’s degree – 0,5 points
  • Researcher profile and/or PhD candidates or holders – 1,5 points
  • Written and oral comprehension levels in English (test will be taken): 1 point, and/or
  • Written and oral comprehension levels in French (test will be taken): 1 point
  • Working experience (CV requested): 1,5 points
  • Cover/Motivational Letter: 2 points.