The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa has partnered with the UNDP Accelerator Labs to launch the Food Waste Innovation Challenge.
Ten entrepreneurs will be selected to take part in a six-month go-to-market and investor readiness mentorship programme and will have access to the Branson Center’s Ignite programme to improve solutions to their food wastage.
Rowan Le Roux of the Branson Centre Zero Waste & Circular Economy Advisory Board and the first certified Future Fit practitioner in South Africa comments on the importance of tackling food waste in the country.
“South Africa sees some 10-million tonnes of food at a cost of more than R61.5-billion go to landfills each year. The twelfth goal of the United NATION Sustainable Development Goals is to help reduce food waste globally by 50% by 2030. R61.5 billion is a huge amount and with the large cost, the social implications on millions of people going hungry, and the adverse environmental impact, we hope to find entrepreneurs with like minds ready to take their ideas into the market, thereby assisting South Africa to prevent and intercept food wastage.”
The Food Waste Innovation Challenge
The Food Waste Innovation Challenge is the first step of hiring to start the program for entrepreneurs that qualify. The innovation program is the first step to the prominent entrepreneurship program hosted by Branson Center. The Ignite Program is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2021.
Applications are currently open and entrepreneurs interested must apply online
The selected 10 entrepreneurs who will have access to one on one mentorship; access to expert inputs, opinions, and insights for their business; third party collaborations on their purpose along with brand marketing and identity; regular progress workshops; and access to accounting, legal, IT, and other business services.
The Head of Exploration at UNDP Accelerator Lab South Africa, Simone Smit, comments on the start of the program.
“We are delighted to be partnering on this exciting challenge with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa. This initiative provides a portfolio of solutions contributing to inclusive growth, sustainability, and food security, and thus accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
