Two teams from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Solar Freeze and Illuminum Greenhouses each won $75, 000 and $25, 000 respectively at the Cisco Problem Solver Challenge.
Their remarkable solutions were chosen for demonstrating the use of technology to solve critical challenges that affect livelihood in their communities. A total of 335 teams across the globe competed for the sum of $300,000 in cash prize. The teams were evaluated for their innovative technology, the feasibility, and the scalability of their solutions.
The winner of the $100, 000 grand prize is Oorja from Imperial College London. They provide a pay-as-you-go community solar pumping that provides affordable water to smallholder farmers. Solar Freeze came first runner-up for their portable solar powered sold storage solution, mentorship and training program for farmers. Their mobile app helps smallholder farmers increase post-harvest sales by providing preservation and preventing food loss.
See also: Cisco Celebrates Its Networking Academies in Nigeria
Illuminum Greenhouses made third runner-up amongst two others; Calla Imaging from the USA and TrashCon from Dubai all went home with $25, 000 each. Illuminum Greenhouses provide smallholder farmers with affordable greenhouses and drip kits powered by solar energy. Their IOT sensors enable protection of crops from pests, diseases and increase water efficiency via automation.
The other African startup that partook of the $300,000 prize includes TREP LABS Nigeria which received $10, 000 for their REALDRIP solution: an IV fluid regulator that monitors the flow rate of fluid during infusion to prevent health complications.
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