30
Nov
SSSfA AfrBIOHub Startup Pitch Competition during the World Food Prize (WFP)
From just an idea to the global stage and then pitching
When I got an invitation letter from ISAAA Africenter entitled: “SSSfA AfrBIOHub Startup Pitch Competition during the World Food Prize (WFP)”, it felt surreal. With the magnitude of WFP, the enormity of the green revolution, the intellect of the audience, and now, I had the chance to share our story in this global stage. Preparation was intense. Previous lessons from a Startup Factory program by Iowa State University, made it easier, though. I memorized my pitch, emphasizing on the importance of sorghum and the need to give small scale farmers access to novel innovations to uplift their livelihoods.
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30th November 2024 was the pitching day. I was filled with anticipation. The floor was opened by two pitches with groundbreaking ideas. When it was my turn, I felt a surge of pride as I stepped onto the stage. I began my pitch with a powerful one liner: “In the hands of Kenyan women, sorghum is more than just a crop – it is a lifeline.” I shared how CornGro is dedicated to improving farmers’ quality of life and build communities by producing high quality seeds accompanied by agronomic support. I also shared on the future we envision as a company. The audience were impressed with overwhelmingly positive feedback afterwards.
New insights at WFP
The WFP event was more than just a platform-it was a learning experience. I connected with peer innovators, potential partners and mentors who shared invaluable insights into scaling businesses and navigating the challenges of agricultural entrepreneurship. One lesson that stood out was the importance believing in what you are doing. Another key takeaway was the importance of conserving biodiversity for the challenges of tomorrow. The demand for crops that can perform under future challenges and can feed the world populations is growing, and CornGro is well-positioned to be a trailblazer in this space.
The experience at WFP inspired me more than ever and reaffirmed our mission as a seed company that is in to help farmers prosper.
Dr. Wilson Kimani, CEO CornGro is a plant breeder and molecular biologist with a focus on developing crop technologies to address agricultural challenges
