PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs and partners have announced details of the eight startup companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) selected for the Mega Green Accelerator.
The Accelerator is an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of innovators in MENA, developing solutions to regional and global sustainability challenges. This year, it received a total of 363 submissions from startups during the application phase.
The selected participants have all submitted an “innovative solution” focused on either advancing the circular economy, transitioning to clean energy, or mitigating climate change through technologies to improve water use and agricultural processes.
Across the next six months, the eight selected startups will receive funding, mentorship with industry experts, and market access to scale their solutions.
At the end of the program, one winning startup will be awarded $30,000 in funding to continue its expansion.
The eight shortlisted startups are:
- Mrüna, UAE: A consulting and distribution company dedicated to developing innovative urban solutions.
- The Surpluss, UAE: A climate technology startup that assists SMEs in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions profitably through resource sharing via a digital sustainability exchange.
- Mirai Solar, Saudi Arabia: A solar technology startup specialising in expanding solar energy use beyond conventional applications, improving the energy efficiency of food production and smart buildings for a sustainable future.
- AHYA TECHNOLOGIES, Saudi Arabia: A climate software and AI startup building a unified platform for scaling climate action across the MENA and Pakistan.
- YY ReGen, Lebanon: A startup that provides innovative solutions by promoting renewable energy, sustainable water management, and regenerative farming.
- Viridia Tech, Egypt: A startup that offers a platform for crop analytics at scale for industrial agricultural companies, to improve yield, unit economics, and sustainability metrics.
- P-VITA, Egypt: A biotechnology hub that specialises in producing natural raw materials for cosmetics and food and beverage industries using AI and IoT technologies to reduce carbon footprint through automated processes.
- Kumulus, Tunisia: A water tech startup that turns air into fresh drinking water through innovative AWG machines. The startup aims to make drinking water more accessible, sustainable, and economical for hotels and businesses across MENA and Southern European regions.
“The Mega Green Accelerator provides the incentive to bolster this through cross-sector collaboration and nurture the region’s next generation of entrepreneurs by providing the needed mentorship, funding, and market access,” said Eugene Willemsen, CEO, Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, PepsiCo and CEO of International Beverages.
Roland Daher, Chief Executive Officer of AstroLabs, added: “The Mega Green Accelerator is setting the stage for a robust sustainability infrastructure, bridging the gap between these companies and the resources necessary for them to thrive, scale, and translate their innovative solutions into regional impact. We’re excited to witness the growth of these companies through the collaborative efforts between AstroLabs, PepsiCo, SABIC and the various strategic partners of the program.”
It was shared that throughout the Accelerator, strategic investment partners Dubai Future District Fund, Venture Souq and Shurooq Partners will provide platforms for investment opportunities, mentorship in raising capital, and networking opportunities.
These partners also contributed to establishing the selection criteria and participated in the shortlist process.
Schneider Electric will support the Mega Green Accelerator as a prize partner and participate in the final selection of the winner, it was shared.
Applications were generated through the networks of ecosystem partners: London Business School Entrepreneurship Club, Berytech, American University of Cairo Venture Lab, SOSV, Clyde & Co, Intersect Hub, SEE Institute, the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection as well as the program website.