MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme Cohort 2023/24

Top 20 Solutions

#4070

Farm as an ecosystem

KAUST, KSA

Transforming the monoculture farm system into a more diverse, resilient, and self-sustaining ecosystem, creating a farm-resources closed system that mimics nature. This includes both agriculture practices and a self-farm microbiome bioreactor.

Researcher(s)

Ahmed Elhady

#4071

Sesame breeding for high-value production in hot and dry climates

KAUST University, Saudi Arabia

Improved sesame varieties could produce a high-value harvest using low inputs of fertilizer and water, while supporting local food systems and returning biomass carbon to the soil

Researcher(s)

Conner Johnson, Jesse Poland, Ibrahim Elbasyoni

#4083

Affordable Nanotech for Arid Environments

KAUST University, KSA

Revolutionizing agriculture, MePhSIN, a groundbreaking nano-platform, encapsulates plant growth regulators, unlocking a new era of enhanced crop resilience, doubling wheat production by 2050, and overcoming challenges in global food security.

Researcher(s)

Katya Michelle Aguilar Perez, Valeriia Nikolaeva, Viiktoria Zheltova, Khozama Al Mohawes

#4092

Better Soil & Better Food

Syria

Nature’s solutions are at your fingertips.

Researcher(s)

Souliman Alhassan, Reham Hasan

#4093

Conservation agriculture (zero tillage) and organic transactions

Turkey

Conservation agriculture and organic agriculture (zero tillage) of olive trees

Researcher(s)

Yousef Hallak

#4110

Agrisolutions

Morocco

Empowering farmers to double yields, slash water waste, and conquer disease with next-gen solutions for all vegetables

Researcher(s)

Yacer Manyani, Salah Eddine El Abbass, Yasser Mimouni,Khaoula Mahres

#4113

More Drop, More Crop

UAE

Sustainable Water Conservation Techniques for Arid Regions.

Researcher(s)

Khalil Ur Rahman, Mohammad Khalifa Bin Thaleth

#4114

Natural fiber reinforced bio-composites for soil erosion control

UAE

Sustainable natural fiber reinforced bio-composites for enhanced soil erosion control in agricultural environments. 

Researcher(s)

Diana Sandoval

#4115

Sustainable strawberry production for small farmers in KSA

Saudi Arabia

Sustain strawberry seedlings production for local farmers in KSA.  

Researcher(s)

Mohamed Ewis

#4129

MicroFert

Heliopolis University, Egypt

Natural customized bio-products with a beneficial impact on the environmental and agricultural ecosystem. Designed to boost crop productivity and enhance soil fertility.

Researcher(s)

Hend Elsawey, Rahma Ahmed Mohamed

#4157

Transforming organic Waste into Sustainable Solutions (TOWSS)

Benha University, Egypt

Creating organic fertilizers by repurposing organic waste for sustainable agricultural practices.

Researcher(s)

Fathy Yacoub

#4158

Systemic Farming, carbon sequestration for future food security

UAE

Systemic Farming Method – “The Simple way of growing Food as The Medicine for everything at an affordable price”.

Researcher(s)

Thoufik Rahuman Amanullah,Dr. Gnanapragasam Singaravel, Dr. M.Ganesan

#4159

Soil2soil

Heliopolis University, Egypt

Soil2Soil develops modified biochar from agriculture waste to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer and increase the fertility of the soil, with reducing water and air pollution due to agriculture waste.

Researcher(s)

Jay Thakkar

#4173

Addressing Soil Salinity: Challenges and Innovative Solutions

Plovdiv University, Bulgaria

Reclamation of saline soil using gypsum and microbial assisted phytoremediation in Turkey.

Researcher(s)

Georgina Asare

#4197

The cactus: a structuring plant for the environment and the food industry

Center de Recherche en Technologies Agro-Alimentaires, Algeria

By leveraging the inherent qualities of cacti and employing sustainable cultivation practices, the MENAT region can mitigate some of its agricultural, climate, and ecosystem challenges while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by this resilient crop.

Researcher(s)

Khodir Madani

#4197

Cyanoboost: Transition to regenerative farming with biofertilizers

Heliopolis University, Egypt

“Cyanoboost” is a bio-fertilizer product that enhance the whole plant growth performance, improve the extracted essential oils, and increase the diversity of the rhizospheric microbiome in medicinal plants.

Researcher(s)

Doaa Ibrahim, Eman Nour El-deen Hamed

#4199

Optimizing Harnessing Biofertilizer for Efficient Organic Waste Utilization and Environmental Conservation

Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia

Integrating cutting-edge biofertilizer technology into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural practices. It aims to enhance regenerative agriculture by efficiently utilizing organic waste, contributing to sustainable soil health, and aligning with the principles of Vision 2030 for comprehensive environmental conservation and agricultural efficiency

Researcher(s)

Dr Nadia Adnan

#4200

The Waste Lab – From Food Waste Rescue to Compost Production to Soil Building in the UAE and the Region

Individual, UAE

The Waste Lab’s solution is to create an opportunity for every food scrap to become a solution for rather than a burden on our society and environment by combining nature-based principles, data-driven operations, local production and application of compost, and community engagement.

Researcher(s)

Lara Hussein, Ceylan Uren, Nick Little, Sara Al Darras

#4202

Egrobots

Egypt

Imagine tiny robot farmers working 24/7, protecting your crops like superheroes. Our AI-powered scouting bots see pests, diseases, and weeds before your eyes do, saving you money, time, and the environment. Boost yields, slash costs, and farm smarter, not harder. Let’s robot-fy your future!

Researcher(s)

Akhlad Alabhar, Hanan Sabry, Ahmed Thabet

#4210

Weed Management with Advance AI Supported Mobile Robot

Turkey

Orbiba Robotics offers autonomous, AI-powered robots designed to revolutionize regenerative farming by providing sustainable weed management and crop monitoring solutions.

Researcher(s)

Ilker Bektas, Murat Can Demiral, Zeynep Muradaermiş, Zehra Altınkum

Top 10 Finalists

Farm as an ecosystem

KAUST, KSA

Transforming the monoculture farm system into a more diverse, resilient, and self-sustaining ecosystem, creating a farm-resources closed system that mimics nature. This includes both agriculture practices and a self-farm microbiome bioreactor.

Researcher(s)

Ahmed Elhady

regenerative agriculture, sustainable agriculture, bio farming

Sesame breeding for high-value production in hot and dry climates

KAUST University, Saudi Arabia

Improved sesame varieties could produce a high-value harvest using low inputs of fertilizer and water, while supporting local food systems and returning biomass carbon to the soil

Researcher(s)

Conner Johnson, Jesse Poland, Ibrahim Elbasyoni

Affordable Nanotech for Arid Environments

KAUST University, KSA

Revolutionizing agriculture, MePhSIN, a groundbreaking nano-platform, encapsulates plant growth regulators, unlocking a new era of enhanced crop resilience, doubling wheat production by 2050, and overcoming challenges in global food security.

Researcher(s)

Katya Michelle Aguilar Perez, Valeriia Nikolaeva, Viiktoria Zheltova, Khozama Al Mohawes

regenerative agriculture, environmental awareness, environmental awareness solutions, agriculture and farming

Conservation agriculture (zero tillage) and organic transactions

Turkey

Conservation agriculture and organic agriculture (zero tillage) of olive trees

Researcher(s)

Yousef Hallak

More Drop, More Crop

UAE

Sustainable Water Conservation Techniques for Arid Regions.

Researcher(s)

Khalil Ur Rahman, Mohammad Khalifa Bin Thaleth

bio farming, environmental sustainability, regenerative agriculture, agriculture ecosystem

MicroFert

Heliopolis University, Egypt

Natural customized bio-products with a beneficial impact on the environmental and agricultural ecosystem. Designed to boost crop productivity and enhance soil fertility.

Researcher(s)

Hend Elsawey, Rahma Ahmed Mohamed

bio farming, environmental sustainability, regenerative agriculture, agriculture ecosystem

Systemic Farming, carbon sequestration for future food security

UAE

Systemic Farming Method – “The Simple way of growing Food as The Medicine for everything at an affordable price”.

Researcher(s)

Thoufik Rahuman Amanullah,Dr. Gnanapragasam Singaravel, Dr. M.Ganesan

bio farming, farming and agriculture, regenerative agriculture

Cyanoboost: Transition to regenerative farming with biofertilizers

Heliopolis University, Egypt

“Cyanoboost” is a bio-fertilizer product that enhance the whole plant growth performance, improve the extracted essential oils, and increase the diversity of the rhizospheric microbiome in medicinal plants.

Researcher(s)

Doaa Ibrahim, Eman Nour El-deen Hamed

food waste, environmental sustainability, regenerative agriculture

The Waste Lab – From Food Waste Rescue to Compost Production to Soil Building in the UAE and the Region

Individual, UAE

The Waste Lab’s solution is to create an opportunity for every food scrap to become a solution for rather than a burden on our society and environment by combining nature-based principles, data-driven operations, local production and application of compost, and community engagement.

Researcher(s)

Lara Hussein, Ceylan Uren, Nick Little, Sara Al Darras

environmental sustainability, farming and agriculture, sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture

Egrobots

Egypt

Imagine tiny robot farmers working 24/7, protecting your crops like superheroes. Our AI-powered scouting bots see pests, diseases, and weeds before your eyes do, saving you money, time, and the environment. Boost yields, slash costs, and farm smarter, not harder. Let’s robot-fy your future!

Researcher(s)

Akhlad Alabhar, Hanan Sabry, Ahmed Thabet

2023/24 WINNERS

Affordable Nanotech for Arid Environments

KAUST University, KSA

Revolutionizing agriculture, MePhSIN, a groundbreaking nano-platform, encapsulates plant growth regulators, unlocking a new era of enhanced crop resilience, doubling wheat production by 2050, and overcoming challenges in global food security.

Researcher(s)

Katya Michelle Aguilar Perez, Valeriia Nikolaeva, Viiktoria Zheltova, Khozama Al Mohawes

bio farming, farming and agriculture, regenerative agriculture

Cyanoboost: Transition to regenerative farming with biofertilizers

Heliopolis University, Egypt

“Cyanoboost” is a bio-fertilizer product that enhance the whole plant growth performance, improve the extracted essential oils, and increase the diversity of the rhizospheric microbiome in medicinal plants.

Researcher(s)

Doaa Ibrahim, Eman Nour El-deen Hamed

food waste, environmental sustainability, regenerative agriculture

The Waste Lab – From Food Waste Rescue to Compost Production to Soil Building in the UAE and the Region

Individual, UAE

The Waste Lab’s solution is to create an opportunity for every food scrap to become a solution for rather than a burden on our society and environment by combining nature-based principles, data-driven operations, local production and application of compost, and community engagement.

Researcher(s)

Lara Hussein, Ceylan Uren, Nick Little, Sara Al Darras

Mentors

I am the CEO and founder of LandPrint, a NatureTech company pioneering nature-positive metrics through an innovative digital Measurement, Reporting,...
Fadi is a seasoned professional with a strong background in digital transformation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the field of regenerative...
Miles has over 24 years’ experience within the HSBC Group working across all segments of the global banking and corporate...
Ewa has many years of experience in working with innovations and solutions for sustainable development gained in Poland, Austria and...
Mohamed is a CEO and Founder of My Farm, and represents the fifth generation of farmers in his family and...
Mehdi Yann Echchadly is a MENAT Senior Manager in Sustainable Financing at HSBC’s Commercial Banking division. With a master’s degree...
Lola is a Senior Associate at VentureSouq, focused on the ClimateTech thesis investing in early-stage technology companies in FoodTech, Carbon...
Hussein stands as an accomplished expert in the realms of growth strategy and strategic partnerships, wielding an impressive portfolio of...
Christine is global leader and expert in agrifood and climate tech innovation, with two decades of experience leading creative and...
Tamer has over 25 years of investment, entrepreneurial and innovation experience in Africa, Middle East, USA and Europe. As the...
Mariam is an investment professional with 15+ years of experience working across a wide range of the capital markets spectrum,...
Thera works for Priva, a family-owned multinational corporation in Westland (the Netherlands) that develops innovative and sustainable solutions to complex...

Judges

Dr Mohammad has a varied international track record in the provision of guidance on policy and strategy development, food security,...
Mira is the Managing Director at HealthyPath, a nutrition policy and food sustainability consultancy firm that supports organizations from the...
Dr. Hector H. Hernandez is a pioneering leader in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology, specializing in developing climate-smart integrated food production...
Kevin is the Managing Director of C3 – Companies Creating Change, a UAE-based social enterprise enabling impact-driven entrepreneurs to become...
Christoph heads the Corporate Venturing activities at EIT Food.Previously, he has led the EIT Food Accelerator Network on a European...
David Ramos is the Acting Head of Sustainability for HSBC Bank Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. He has 18...
Simon is a Partner and Venture Capitalist at Global Ventures and a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW, a Member of...
Dr. Abdoul Aziz Niane is a seed technologist and rangeland ecologist with more than 30 years of experience in crop...
Thomaz Domingues is the Senior Manager – Strategy and Industry Development of in5, a businessincubator created to address the practical...
Karima El Hakim is the Country Director for Plug & Play in Egypt, the global leader in corporate innovation and...
Dr. Dina Najjar joined ICARDA in 2014 as a social and gender specialist. A socio-cultural anthropologist by training, she focuses...
Neal Spackman was cofounder and director of the Al Baydha Project from 2010-2017, where he worked with settled bedou in...

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