Accelerating Agritech Entrepreneurship with up to $40,000 Grand Prize

Heifer Nigeria is delighted to announce the launch of the AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2024, an enterprise development program designed to identify, nurture, and support innovative, technology-driven agric-centric enterprises in Nigeria.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria is an enterprise development program initiated by Heifer International to identify, nurture, and support innovative, relevant and technology-driven agric-centric enterprises to grow, scale and thrive.

The challenge serves as a springboard for identifying outstanding young agritech innovators, as well as assisting in the formation of strong partnerships. As a result, the competition will increase visibility for growth and improve smallholder farmers” productivity.

National competitions build on the regional competition which awards up to US$1.5 million each year to leading agritech innovators across Africa.

In Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda, national competitions award tens of thousands of dollars in each country, helping translate the energy and ideas of young agritech innovators into meaningful impact for smallholder farmers across the country, and supporting winners to grow their businesses and profile.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2024 builds on the successes of the 2022 and 2023 editions. It creates an opportunity to identify young, creative entrepreneurs who have launched promising new tech solutions to transform African agriculture for smallholder farmers.

The project will empower early-stage youth-led agritech businesses/startups with innovative solutions that have a significant impact on smallholder farmers at scale. Through this program, selected entrepreneurs will receive comprehensive support to grow, scale, and thrive.

This year, the AYuTe Nigeria is even more exciting as the prize money has been increased from $20,000 up to $40,000.

“We are thrilled to launch the AYuTe Africa Challenge 2024 in Nigeria,” said Dr. Lekan Tobe, Interim Country Director at Heifer Nigeria. “By doubling the prize money, we are deepening our commitment to supporting agritech innovation and youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria. We believe that this challenge will not only empower young entrepreneurs but also contribute to the transformation of the agricultural sector and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.”

AyuTe Nigeria program presents a unique opportunity for young agritech entrepreneurs to access the support they need to scale their innovations and make a real impact in the agricultural sector. Eligible agri-preneurs are encouraged to apply and be part of this transformative journey.

Key Details of the AYuTe Africa Challenge 2024:

• Program Objective: To identify, nurture, and support innovative, technology-driven agric-centric enterprises in Nigeria, accelerating agritech entrepreneurship.
• Eligibility: Early-stage or growth-stage youth-led agritech businesses/companies with innovative solutions impacting smallholder farmers at scale.
• Prize Money: Increased up to $40,000.
• How to Apply: Visit https://ayute.africa/nigeria to apply.
• For more information and to apply, please visit https://ayute.africa

About Heifer International:

Heifer International is a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable, values-based holistic community development. Our work empowers smallholder farmers and helps communities become self-reliant.