The road ahead for youth engaging in agroecology as a business still presents challenges, including lack of access to financing and agricultural markets. So, the Business Accelerator for Youth in Agroecology (BAYA), a collaboration between YALTA and Bopinc, sought to target existing agripreneurs and help them develop scalable business models based on agroecological principles and practices.
Throughout August 2021, the selected agripreneurs participated in an online training program. Then, Bopinc and other external experts supported the young agroecology businesses with coaching on action plans, pitch preparation and guidance on marketing and branding. Participants used the 4D method: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver, to set up a competitive and innovation-focused business model.
Finally, all participants were ready for the Innovation Jam, a series of online events where they were able to refine and practice their pitch. In the end, they got the opportunity to persuade investors in a final pitch round. From the 11 pitches, the jurors selected three winners. The first place winner received €5000, while the runner-ups got €2500 each. All three got 10 hours of one-on-one coaching as well. The rest of the participants also got 2 hours of one-on-one coaching to continue developing their business.
The road ahead for youth engaging in agroecology as a business still presents challenges, including lack of access to financing and agricultural markets. So, the Business Accelerator for Youth in Agroecology (BAYA), a collaboration between YALTA and Bopinc, sought to target existing agripreneurs and help them develop scalable business models based on agroecological principles and practices.
Throughout August 2021, the selected agripreneurs participated in an online training program. Then, Bopinc and other external experts supported the young agroecology businesses with coaching on action plans, pitch preparation and guidance on marketing and branding. Participants used the 4D method: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver, to set up a competitive and innovation-focused business model.
Finally, all participants were ready for the Innovation Jam, a series of online events where they were able to refine and practice their pitch. In the end, they got the opportunity to persuade investors in a final pitch round. From the 11 pitches, the jurors selected three winners. The first place winner received €5000, while the runner-ups got €2500 each. All three got 10 hours of one-on-one coaching as well. The rest of the participants also got 2 hours of one-on-one coaching to continue developing their business.
"I have leveraged on the accelerator training to acquire unique business skills and methods of marketing for low income markets".
Ms. Lilian Nakigozi | CEO Women Smiles from Uganda
Achievements
Participating agripreneurs got connected with local experts and practitioners.
Some of the businesses received follow-up funding from other programmes or investors. Women Smiles Uganda received a grant funding of $30.000 and Golden Insect received $25.000.
The young agripreneurs got practical examples to best understand the complex business subjects.
The cash prizes went towards new equipment and marketing tools. For example, Bee-Gulf was able to establish a collection centre for honey, with additional equipment such as a honey mixer, storage tanks, honey press, honey extractors, and a refractometer.
By now, over 400 people have started the online business development training developed by BAYA, made available via the Startup Academy of the online business support platform VC4A.
Beryl Oyier | Managing Director for East Africa at Bop Innovation Center (Bopinc)
To get youth entrepreneurs interested in agroecology, we need to show them that it can make a change.This includes supporting them through coaching to ensure they can successfully run a healthy, growing business. Read more about the experiences of Beryl Oyier, East Africa Director at Bopinc.Â
Expert Talk
Naol Adugna Oli | Circularity to Combat Malnutrition
To get youth entrepreneurs interested in agroecology, we need to show them that it can be the basis of a successful business. And what better way than through those who have already done it? Meet Naol Adugna Oli, one of the founders of Beta Blocker PLC.Â
Meet our entrepreneurs
6 LESSONS
ON ENSURING MARKETS REWARD YOUTH IN AGRO-ECOLOGY
Lesson 1 | Go local
Local markets offered the best opportunity for YALTA entrepreneurs to sell agroecological products.
Lesson 2 | Use information and technology to create trustworthy and regular suppliers.
Support entrepreneurs to improve the quality and consistency of their product. To document their available and expected volumes, and share this information on platforms like the Storymap.
Lesson 3 | Differentiate
Certification and price premiums help to differentiate between general and agroecological products, and incentivize agroecological production.
Lesson 4 | Show, don’t tell.
Showcasing agroecological products at agricultural exhibitions and shows and integrating exhibitions in YALTA events proved a good way to expose businesses and attract new customers.
Lesson 5 | Reward
If you are a supporter, link business development services to access to finance by involving e.g. an award, or matching fund in a programme.
Lesson 6 | Create awareness around funding possibilities and requirements
If you are a supporter, make young entrepreneurs aware of the steps they need to take to become eligible for funding from external investors. Educate and engage financial institutions and investors to provide loans to agroecological enterprises.
The road ahead for youth engaging in agroecology as a business still presents challenges, including lack of access to financing and agricultural markets. So, the Business Accelerator for Youth in Agroecology (BAYA), a collaboration between YALTA and Bopinc, sought to target existing agripreneurs and help them develop scalable business models based on agroecological principles and practices.
Throughout August 2021, the selected agripreneurs participated in an online training program. Then, Bopinc and other external experts supported the young agroecology businesses with coaching on action plans, pitch preparation and guidance on marketing and branding. Participants used the 4D method: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver, to set up a competitive and innovation-focused business model.
Finally, all participants were ready for the Innovation Jam, a series of online events where they were able to refine and practice their pitch. In the end, they got the opportunity to persuade investors in a final pitch round. From the 11 pitches, the jurors selected three winners. The first place winner received €5000, while the runner-ups got €2500 each. All three got 10 hours of one-on-one coaching as well. The rest of the participants also got 2 hours of one-on-one coaching to continue developing their business.
"I have leveraged on the accelerator training to acquire unique business skills and methods of marketing for low income markets".
Ms. Lilian Nakigozi | CEO Women Smiles from Uganda
Achievements
Participating agripreneurs got connected with local experts and practitioners.
Some of the businesses received follow-up funding from other programmes or investors. Women Smiles Uganda received a grant funding of $30.000 and Golden Insect received $25.000.
The young agripreneurs got practical examples to best understand the complex business subjects.
The cash prizes went towards new equipment and marketing tools. For example, Bee-Gulf was able to establish a collection centre for honey, with additional equipment such as a honey mixer, storage tanks, honey press, honey extractors, and a refractometer.
By now, over 400 people have started the online business development training developed by BAYA, made available via the Startup Academy of the online business support platform VC4A.
Beryl Oyier | Managing Director for East Africa at Bop Innovation Center (Bopinc)
To get youth entrepreneurs interested in agroecology, we need to show them that it can make a change.This includes supporting them through coaching to ensure they can successfully run a healthy, growing business. Read more about the experiences of Beryl Oyier, East Africa Director at Bopinc.Â
Expert Talk
Naol Adugna Oli | Circularity to Combat Malnutrition
To get youth entrepreneurs interested in agroecology, we need to show them that it can be the basis of a successful business. And what better way than through those who have already done it? Meet Naol Adugna Oli, one of the founders of Beta Blocker PLC.Â
