We’re building an efficient organic waste processing unit that uses black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% and composting time by over 300% compared to traditional composting. We can use the harvested insects as a sustainable and high-protein feed in multiple livestock and pet industries such as aquaculture, poultry farming, reptiles, and small mammals. This feed would be more environmental and economical than existing feeds such as fish meals that have been produced using overfarmed wild-caught fish and is contributing to overfishing (80 to 90 million metric tons of wild fish are annually used purely for inland fish farming feed). In addition to their feed, BSFL feces can be used as organic fertilizer. Other companies are primarily over-engineered warehouse-scaled systems that purely focus on insect farming, whereas we take a more sub-optimal approach to leverage the insects’ ability to perform with minimal intervention. Agriprotein is an example of those companies who received USD 100 million in funding but are still bankrupt due to the high R&D costs. Our emphasis on deployability and reduced cost of production also allows us to process waste, such as manure and tomato pomace, on-site at the farm, reducing transportation costs and emissions. This emphasis on the cyclical nature of the business model allows us to provide insects or insect feces on site, further reducing transportation emissions. We also have a patentable system that automates the insect harvesting system, traditionally costing 60% of an insect farming business. A provisional patent will be filed in November 2022 through UC Hastings. To summarize, we’re building a low-cost, deployable insect-farming system that composts extremely quickly and yields a steady supply of insects to produce more sustainable agricultural feed.

AgGen

Singapore

Rosh Ho

BAG is an ed-tech platform that helps job seekers gain virtual work experience by completing simulated role-specific tasks from top employers in Africa and getting matched to jobs. The idea is to help connect talented young Africans with opportunities, by providing them with a space to showcase their skills and abilities. In addition, the platform will also provide employers with a pool of potential candidates that they can tap into.

BAG

Rwanda

Yussouf Ntwali

CTRL + Z is a group of environmentalists, scientists and engineers leveraging innovative technologies to build solutions that address the water crisis of the world. Our first product is a graphene-based water purification bed/absorbent to treat industrial effluent. It can treat effluent from small to large-scale industries efficiently. With our technology, we can treat the effluent from industries with low energy/infrastructural requirements in order to make it fit for reuse in agriculture/industry. In larger industries, it easily fits into the existing water treatment infrastructure. It is able to recover more than 95% water from the effluent as compared to the conventional standard of 70% while keeping the water quality consistent. To scale our solution, we have discovered a unique process to produce oxidised graphene in bulk from agro-waste. The absorbent can be converted to fertiliser post usage, thus trying to keep the methodology sustainable till the very end.

CTRL + Z

India

Dhanvi Oza

Early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) patients often have less prominent symptoms that don't meet the diagnostic criteria in the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), a questionnaire typically used to diagnose PD. Since the UPDRS is qualitative, it's also prone to clinician bias. As a result, I developed Cepha, an objective tool that can detect PD early with 98% accuracy in under 5 minutes. Cepha does this by testing for voice and hand tremor, symptoms prevalent in disease onset. First, Cepha records users sustaining the /ah/ vowel sound, extracts acoustic features, and employs a proprietary machine learning model to evaluate how much their recording exhibits Parkinsonism. Cepha then guides users through hand positions while collecting accelerometer data, extracts motor features, and utilizes a custom model to judge how much their data displays Parkinsonian trends. Cepha maps the results from each model to the UPDRS, so neurologists can quantitatively validate their qualitative diagnoses.

Cepha

United States

Nitya Ayyagari

The climate impact of boating is enormous. At present, the vast majority of boats are built around a foam core, covered with glass-fibre and reinforced by resin. The resin and foam used to build the hulls are derived from oil, while the glass-fibre requires large amounts of energy to produce. This has resulted in hard wearing, easy to repair and strong boats which can last for an extremely long time, but with an enormous carbon footprint to build and maintain, and no clear recycling pathway at the end of their life. We at Sustainable Sailing have developed bio-based alternatives to the composites currently used in the Europe Dinghy class, marketed as “Chlorofoils”. If we are successful in this application, we intend to scale up our technology, through collaboration, to build two demonstration boats of one of the most popular Isle of Wight keelboat classes, the “Illusion”. These boats are enormously popular, with 50 boats regularly competing. The diversity of sailors is wide, with the class attracting former Olympians and Paralympians, through to those who have recently learned to sail. They are not by any means a small investment in terms of carbon dioxide, as the hull alone weights 330kg, meaning we estimate a carbon investment of approximately 8.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent). By applying our Chlorofoils technology, we anticipate a significant saving in carbon in the build of the hull alone, with greater savings through application of more sustainable solutions for sails, spars or rigging.

Chloro-Illusion: Bio-based sailing

United Kingdom

Joe Penhaul Smith

At D'tectreat we use technology to increase and ease the testing and medication for chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDs, malaria, pregnancy, and cancer in Africa. The technology is a combination of a chip and an app that tests and diagnoses these diseases in their early stages and all other stages. People get to know their status instantly by simply inserting “D’Tec-chip” in their mouth after following the prompts on the “D’Tectreat App” at their convenience. On the App, the user gets results (97% accurate which is the index goal standard), the doctor’s recommendations based on test results, the nearby recommended clinics and hospitals, access to our online drug shop/store and delivery services, and access to educational information about malaria, pregnancy, STD’s and cancer. This solution is reusable, affordable, painless, accessible, fast, convenient, easy to use, and doesn’t involve invading people’s privacy.

D'TECTREAT

Uganda

Frank Mugisha

We built the Diversity Talent Pool - an online matchmaking tool which promotes equal opportunities in the labor market and an inclusive corporate culture. Using the algorithm of our web application, we connect diverse job seekers and suitable employers. We accelerate the selection of suitable candidates by selecting from a diverse portfolio of candidates and matching their skills and needs to the specific job post. The process is automated and non-discriminatory. In turn, we help job seekers find an employer which respects their needs, whether it's wheelchair access, gender-neutral restrooms, or even just flexible working hours. Our goal is to encourage employers to introduce bias-free processes in recruitment and to acknowledge the uniqueness of every employee.

Diversity Talent Pool

Czech Republic

Marie Horniecká

Ezod Tech is working on an assistive technology solution for the blind and those with impaired vision. Ezod Eye is the name of the gadget. Ezod Eye is a portable electronic device that is attached to a pair of spectacles. For auditory communication with the blind, Ezod Eye employs machine learning, artificial intelligence, GPS, high-definition cameras, and an earphone connector. All feedback to the user is audio data sent via earbuds and an internal speaker. Ezod Eye assists blind individuals with navigation, text document reading utilizing Optical Character Identification (OCR) technology, facial recognition, identifying danger, and answering phone calls. Ezod Eye offers voice recognition capabilities owing to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The voice recognition feature authenticates users for confidential actions such as bank transfers and payments by using voice as a biometric password. The gadget has intelligence functions such as understanding bank statements, detecting currencies and adding total money, mathematical operations, and reading people's moods based on facial expressions, movements, and voices. Ezod Eye has a unique reading function that allows users to search for particular words in text documents more quickly and provides blind individuals unlimited access to information on the internet. The gadget will be language customized for each user, allowing them to select the language in which they are most comfortable and understand. The gadget is compatible with other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as mobile phones and external speakers. Wi-Fi access is required for software updates, downloads, and installs.

Ezod Tech

Ghana

Tinashe Blackie Kanukai

Knowbra is an AI bra fitting software application that combines traditional bra fitting with computer vision and machine learning software to more accurately size breasts that have undergone surgical interventions, more specifically, a mastectomy and/or lumpectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis. Knowbra gives our customers a frictionless bra purchasing experience by automating insurance claims and leveraging AI for zero-touch bra fittings. We propose three pillars for our business model: Automated claims- asynchronous prescription import, real-time insurance verification and eligibility, and no reimbursements AI bra fitting- help reduce physical discomfort, increase confidence, reduce amount of returns Mastectomy products: more robust marketplace, ai-based product recommendations, and guaranteed fit

KnowBra

United States

Cornelius Carter

Our solutions is a zero emissions energy product for households and small businesses. We have developed a technology called Just Add Water - a device that uses conformer solar cells and water to generate hydrogen via reversible fuel cells. The technology is designed to produce electricity and cooking gas for households without any cost of refueling - simply the addition of water. It is a complete zero emission energy system and replaces the use of Hydrocarbon Generators and Propane Gas cooker in Household. Apart from the technology solutions my organization provide for households, we also train and empower young graduates and unemployed youths on renewable energy technologies and advocacy, such as solar cells coupling, solar panel installation, energy policy and systems and other new ways of new energy products, this is a way to inspire young people to take action for their communities and the planet, by building capacity for the young generation, skills and technological transfer for climate agendas.

NewDigit

Nigeria

Joy Egbe

Optim Energy is an innovative piezoelectric device that harnesses energy from heat and vibrations, which occur naturally. The Optim energy device uses digital technology that facilitates a two-way innovative communication system between the production site and the users. Its intelligent grid system comprises sensing materials to enable energy efficiency along the transmission lines. This system has shown to be an unprecedented opportunity to move the Sierra Leone energy sector to an era of energy efficiency and reliability if scaled up. Also, it would contribute to the environmental and economic issues caused by the lack of energy access.

Optim Energy

Sierra Leone

Jeremiah Thoronka

Plastic Venture is a plastic collector and recycler that uses a mobile app to collect plastics from the end-users and process the collected plastics into affordable, durable, and sustainable paving bricks. The company's app requires the users to download the application, sign up, and upload their personal information to verify it. After that, if the user has plastics he wants to sell to us, he will notify us through the application and tell us the collection point. This procedure enables the users to sell their plastics to us in exchange for the points that would earn them money. Hence, making the Somali community more responsible for their plastics. Neverthless, we collect these plastics weekly from the users who are notified via the application and repay them simultaneously. After collections, we mold those plastics into valuable items that can last for decades. The Venture's app targets public place cleaners and house waste collectors (individuals and companies) who are empowered to sort the garbage to earn extra income out of their effort.

Plastic Venture

Somalia

Jimcale A Faarah

DON`T WASTE THE WASTE! Nepal's recycling infrastructure is dilapidated. 37.7% of the waste is not collected by the "Solid Waste Management" and ends up in rivers, roadsides, etc. With ReValue, the entire team and I pursue the vision of perceiving plastic waste as a resource, not as waste. We want to reintegrate waste into the value-added cycle. Through our ReValue project, we offer a long-term sustainable solution, enable a socially acceptable working environment and improve people's living conditions by reducing the amount of plastic not reused. All our work is accompanied by extensive research – allowing us to improve our processes steadily. To achieve our goals, ReValue, founded in steward-ownership, built up two interlinked social entrepreneurial sides of the project – one in Nepal and one in Europe. In Nepal, we implement baling machines and shredders. The biggest hurdle for the Nepalese recycling sector is the high transportation costs. The longer the distance between the source of plastic and recycling facilities, the more unlikely plastics will be recycled if there is no baling or shredding machine. The reuse possibilities increase by baling/shredding plastic - up to six times more plastic waste can be transported per truck due to the compression. The more efficient transport makes the process of recycling economically viable. More plastic is recycled, and the end of life in unsanitary landfills is prevented. In addition, we will sell Plastic Credits, certificates accredited by Verra (similar to CO2 certificates) that we receive through recycling and resell to environmentally conscious companies in the global North. These companies can then offset their plastic consumption while we invest the money in building more recycling infrastructure. This creates a self-reinforcing upward spiral for Nepal's waste sector.

ReValue

Nepal

Ashok Poudel

Scrapp is the free mobile app and tablet station that separates waste at the point of disposal. With a quick scan of a product’s barcode, Scrapp shows the user exactly how to dispose of a product’s packaging correctly - according to their local authority’s recycling rules. Businesses can license our tablet stations to reduce contaminated recycling in their corporate office buildings, conferences and events, as well as track waste to report for their Scope 3 emissions reporting. Through gamification and education, our mission is to make recycling simple and kickstart the circular economy, beginning with the bin.

Scrapp

United Kingdom

Evan Gwynne Davies

Seaweed Culture is developing a novel land-based cultivation system to grow a seaweed species that can reduce methane emissions in livestock and help boost productivity. The seaweed species is called Asparagopsis Taxiformis which is a tropical species that cannot be cultivated in the waters around the UK and majority of the USA. This has left an opportunity to develop novel and scalable ways of land-based cultivation for this seaweed species. Land-based cultivation is the only possible way to grow this seaweed species in countries where it is not native. The reduction in methane emissions is significant. When incorporating only 0.2% or about 80g of this seaweed as a supplement in a ruminant livestock’s diet (cows or sheep) it can reduce their methane emissions by up to 95% with no effects on the quality of meat or milk. This reduction in methane emissions is due to the bioactive components in this seaweed species. Methane production in cows specifically uses approximately 20% of its energy intake and by reducing the methane produced allows for an increase in productivity. Research has shown that the seaweed supplement can decrease the amount of feed needed to produce the same quantity of meat or milk whilst decreasing the cost per KG. Allowing farmers to benefit from reducing their costs alongside tackling climate change. There is currently nothing on the market that is available due to innovation required to cultivate this seaweed at scale whilst doing so sustainably. Seaweed Culture has developed this solution with the most energy efficient and scalable cultivation system to help bring this solution globally. Livestock farmers need solutions like this to meet Net Zero Targets and become more efficient whilst reduce costs which is why Seaweed Culture is aiming to provide this solution globally.

Seaweed Culture

United Kingdom

Luke Smith

Our journey began with a desire to help a classmate with a hearing impairment who was experiencing a lack of frequency of speech therapy. It is widely known that the number of speech therapists in the Czech Republic is insufficient, so we decided to create an app that could help speech therapists and their patients streamline therapy and practice between office visits. After a year of research, validation with experts, and programming, we are creating a telemedicine tool to help children with hearing impediments, delayed speech development, and developmental dysphasia. Using the application's tools, we will be able to record and analyze the human voice when pronouncing certain sounds. Artificial intelligence will provide feedback to the user on the correctness of the articulation. At the same time, the app focuses on developing the child's vocabulary in addition to the correct articulation of the syllables. All the data collected is stored and displayed to the clinical speech therapist for an evaluation. Thus, it is a telemedicine tool designed to support clinical speech therapists and their patients in pronunciation modification in the fixation phase. We have not been able to find a speech therapy app in the Czech Republic or abroad that can also automatically assess pronunciation. Non-logopedic applications that assess pronunciation using artificial intelligence exist (e.g. ELSA), but they focus on pronunciation in non-disabled second language learners. Other solutions on the market targeting our target group, such as Logapka or AfaSlovnik, offer only a partial solution to the complex process of speech learning. However, our technology will focus on detailed speech analysis, from single phonemes to complex words and sentences. At the same time, we are now working on a technology that will assess the user's pronunciation accuracy with a high percentage of accuracy, and provide aggregate feedback. It is this feedback that makes our tool more effective than traditional speech therapy applications.

Seek Speak

Czech Republic

Miloslava Macková

Sickler is a platform that helps sickle cell patients to easily monitor them selfs and would also allow doctors to monitor these patients in realtime.We are looking to solve the United Nations' Sustainable Development goal 3. Which is Good Health and well-being. We watched too many of our friends and family die at young ages, just because they weren’t given adequate and constant care that sicklers needed, hence preventable and treatable crises were not well handled, leading them to their early graves. This is a problem that wouldn’t have existed if an app like this was already available. We realised that proper management of Sickle Cell was the best way to handle the disease, especially in our community. So we built a platform to help sicklers do just that. With SICKLER, the quality of life of sicklers can be increased.

Sickler

Cameroon

Alouzeh Brandone Mahbuh

We're bringing AI-powered dynamic pricing to the restaurant industry to help restaurants increase revenue and lower food wastage. Dynamic Pricing is based on Restaurant Historical Demand, Weather, Competitors’ Data. Our AI-powered software learns Price Elasticity of specific items on menu, and promotes Strategic Discounts on high-retention items and makes price adjustments to match demand more accurately at a given time. With our sales forecasting software, we can optimize inventory for merchants starting with menu simplification and inventory management, increasing margin expansion and lowering food wastage.

Souffle

France

Fabien Gaillard

We want to create a mobile application that will help deaf people communicate easily with each other and with non-deaf people. The application will be able to translate a deaf video, ie a video where deaf signs are made in text or audio to allow a non-deaf person to understand the message conveyed by the deaf video. Also, the application will act in the opposite direction. This means translating a text, an audio, a video into a deaf video so that a deaf person can understand the message conveyed by the medium in question. The application will be able to support several languages ​​for audios and videos as well as several deaf languages ​​since there are several. And finally, the application will also make it possible to hold online conferences like on Google meet, with the difference that a deaf person will be able to participate in the meeting. When others speak, the deaf person automatically receives the deaf translation live on their screen and when they speak in deaf language in front of their camera, non-deaf people see the text transcription or hear the audio of what she says.

TensorUnit

Benin

Romerik Lokossou

With a vision of reducing the ecological footprint of digitalization while also building urban mining, I have founded Wastezon, a Machine Learning-powered digital solution which powers consumers and manufacturers to transact second-hand electronics and e-waste through a reverse supply chain. With Wastezon App’s Mineralogical laser scan technology, both households and institutional consumers can detect the mineralogical provenance of their electronic devices, the Wastezon app leverages such data to make real-time informed post-consumerism recommendations; matchmaking consumers with manufacturers and recyclers that can reuse, repurpose and remanufacturer these electronics. Wastezon applies an eco-friendly logistical planner bot to assist Manufacturers and recyclers in effectively planning for reverse logistics of the acquired electronics on the platform. Innovative value offerings of the Wastezon app: Data-enabled decision making: Consumers can get real-time data on mineralogical provenance changes of their electronics which can allow them to make informed decisions on where to resell, repair and repurpose their electronics. Manufacturers and recyclers can acquire back the electronics from consumers based on economical returns they can anticipate getting, projected on the mineralogical provenance data. Real-time Matchmaking: Consumers are connected with manufacturers and recyclers on a real-time basis, allowing them to transact their electronics and accept payments digitally. Automated reverse logistics planner: designed for Manufacturers and recyclers, the automated planner bot considers manufacturers' and recyclers’ preferences, and transboundary laws of movement of electronic materials, to provide reverse logistics recommendations for all the electronics they acquire via the platform.

Wastezon

Rwanda

Ghislain Irakoze