Seedstars has backed Morocco’s solar irrigation company, Jordan’s water-monitoring startup and Uganda’s food-preservation business for cash prizes as 22 ventures advance through SANAD ElevateHer.
Three startups developing technologies for water conservation, smallholder irrigation and food preservation have won cash prizes in a Seedstars-led accelerator, highlighting businesses targeting infrastructure and supply-chain gaps across emerging markets.
Morocco’s MIRRIAH, Jordan’s SmartWTI and Uganda’s Freza Nanotech were named winners of SANAD ElevateHer following pitches at Techne Summit Alexandria in Egypt on October 3. The awards were announced the next evening at Seedstars Villa. The organizers did not disclose the cash prize amounts.
The three companies address different points in the food and water systems. MIRRIAH supplies solar-powered irrigation equipment to smallholder farmers and trains rural women and young people to install and sell the systems. SmartWTI uses connected sensors to track water consumption and detect leaks. Freza Nanotech develops products intended to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer in markets where cold storage is limited.
Their selection comes as the accelerator advances 22 startups across nine markets, including Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia and Zimbabwe, for further coaching and investment-readiness support. The businesses work across agriculture, clean energy, recycling, mobility, digital services and logistics.
Kenya’s four selected startups illustrate the range of business models in the cohort. Riziki Nature Based Solutions produces mesquite-based fuel and biochar for land restoration. Soko Kijiji provides digital market access for women traders, while VunaPay Solutions develops tools for cooperative operations, farmer payments and financial services. Wavu uses WhatsApp to connect fish farmers with production inputs, logistics and support.
Other ventures are targeting food losses and resource efficiency. Ghana’s Biowax Ghana develops edible coatings for fresh produce, while Morocco’s Jafife uses solar drying to reduce food waste. Tunisia’s Pixii Motors is developing battery-swapping solutions for electric two-wheelers, and Zimbabwe’s Nyamula Logistics Solutions connects freight operators through digital matching, coordination and tracking.
SANAD ElevateHer is delivered by Seedstars and funded by the SANAD Fund for MSME through its advisory and capacity-building arm, managed by Finance in Motion GmbH. The program supports 38 startups from prototype to growth stage, prioritizing women-led businesses and companies that expand women’s participation through ownership, leadership, employment or their customer base.
Participants have received mentoring and training in pricing, unit economics, sales, business development and investor readiness. Workshops in Marrakech were followed by a founders bootcamp ahead of the Alexandria pitches, where participants reviewed milestones and refined presentations for investors and potential partners.
The 22 selected businesses will now receive additional guidance on fundraising, partnerships and scaling, with the program also seeking to connect founders to investors and SANAD’s network of partner financial institutions.
“Making technology work for customers means deciding who installs it, how it is delivered and what people can afford to pay. We help founders test those choices and build a business around them,” said Sabrina Salama, MENA Partnerships Lead at Seedstars.