Where ideas take flight: a FoodLAND innovation wins second place at the Youth Ignite pitch event in Dar es Salaam – Tanzania - Department of Informatics and Information Technology

Last November 2024, Ms. Christina Josephat, a master’s student from Department of Food Science and Agro-processing and Mr. Frank Thomas a master’s student from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, whose research are partially funded by the FoodLAND Project had a privilege to be selected out of 1000 applications of Youth Ignite Student Founders Fellowship under Starthub Africa. Youth Ignite pitch competition is for ideathon. It was a collaborative event where participants brainstorm innovative ideas and solutions, often within a competitive timeframe. For our MSc. Students, they pitched a charcoal blanket that reduces fruit spoilage during storage at the local markets. It was not an easy competition because out of more than 20 teams who participated in the ideathon, only 3 best teams had to be selected. They were trained for two days on the Lean Business Model Canvas that helped them view their idea if could be turned to a profitable business and best 3 teams with one representative from each team, would be selected based on the business model to join the boot camp at National pitch competition in Dar es Salaam. Surprisingly, SUA team with a brand name ‘Fruit Secure Solution’ was among the best 3 teams selected to join National Pitch Event.

The event was held in Dar es salaam, Tanzania bringing the innovators together with 29 other best teams of young innovators from 10 universities across Tanzania to present their creative and innovative business ideas. The teams at the boot camp were separated into groups, technical team and manufacturing team. SUA team was recognized as a manufacturing team. The journey began with the boot camp that provided in-depth training on unique value proposition, channels for different product, customer segments, branding, revenue streams of the product, customer relationship management, compliance and business formalization and leadership.

Along with the training 50% of the score were rated from the coachers depending on the daily activities performed at the camp. The competition looked to be challenging because some of the young innovators were already making money from their ideas making a great impact in the communities. Also, each participant at the boot camp had the eager to win the prize so more efforts were observed making the competition feel intense and challenging. The rest of 50% scores were obtained at the national pitch event from the selected judges. The training gave participants the necessary skills to refine their business ideas and communicate them effectively to the judges.

After a week of training, one student from SUA, Christina Josephat was able to prepare a pitch deck under the supervisions of the Starthub coachers (Mr. Arnold Mgaga, Mrs. Laura Mgaga, Miss Cynthia and Mr. Brian) but also from her teammate Frank Thomas and mentors from FoodLAND Project (Prof. Camilius Sanga, Dr. Suleiman Rashid and Dr. Emmanuel Ndetto) based on the problem, solution, market size, traction, competitors, call to action and team members. During the National Pitching Event, several judges who were to select winners were founders from outstanding companies such as Goldenpot, NeuroTech Africa, Ipf and #iLink Software. Several other angel investors, investors, capital venture, stakeholders, partners and customers were also invited to attend the event, and listen to the groundbreaking ideas. It was an exciting moment for business idea competitors but also a moment full of eagerness whether their ideas are going to be attracted by the pitched innovation judges.

Ms. Christina Josephat pitched the solution to reducing postharvest fruit losses at local markets by offering affordable, portable and ecofriendly, smart cooling solution known as Charcoal Blanket. It was installed with different sensors to measure different parameters automatically. The smart storage facility reduces temperature storages without electricity that extended the shelf life of avocados from 3 to 9 days. The team of 4 judges recognized the potential impact of this innovative idea and were impressed with the technology, though great concerns were on why charcoal from tress and size of the facility being small. The answer for this question was that we promoted the use of charcoal from waste materials.

After the pitching session, Christina’s team was honored to win the second place taking home TZS 4,000,000 among other 20 teams who were also finalists. Also, there were capital venture investors willing to work with the team (Miss Haika Mtei, Founder Goldenpot). The pitching competition, which donated 80 million shillings in funding top 20 businesses, was a major steppingstone in our entrepreneurial journey. It has reaffirmed their commitment to finding innovative solutions to food insecurity and supporting local traders. They were grateful for the opportunity and motivated to continue working toward impactful change in Tanzania.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Starthub Africa Tanzania in collaboration with UNDP Funguo Tanzania and Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha for empowering students with essential skills and fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Also, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to FoodLAND Project and mentors (Prof. Camilius Sanga, Dr. Suleiman Rashid and Dr. Emmanuel Ndetto) for their invaluable support and guidance throughout this journey, they have been supportive leaders in accomplishing this great dream and being noticeable as growing business that impact the community. Special thanks to Vuyisille Factory located at SUA Mazimbu, Morogoro under the supervision of Mr. Isdory Otto Isdory, Mr. Bilo Augustine Bilo (Factory Engineer) for their support on the innovation and space. But also, we recognize SUA innovation Hub Coordinator, Dr. Doreen Ndossi for giving us the opportunity to showcase our idea and supporting us from the ideathon competition to National Pitch event that was held in Dar es Salaam. Indeed, it was a life changing experience for both of all.