ClimAccelerator Wrap-Up

We need 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns decision-makers to act for a livable world now if we are to secure a sustainable future for all. So how do we meet the needs of a growing world population while supporting the planet's most vulnerable, who are at the forefront of increasingly severe climate disasters?

Through innovation. EIT Climate-KIC is catalysing the change needed. With support from Irish Aid, organisations in Asia, the Pacific Islands, South America and Africa have been equipped with the capabilities to scale local climate solutions into thriving startup ventures. Overcoming today's climate challenges calls for innovative solutions brought by our ClimateLaunchpad and ClimAccelerator alumni.

In Mozambique, Sheli offers a nature-based drainage solution. Having a positive climate impact means focusing on nature-based solutions that not only solve the problem of flooding but also bring improvement into the communities. It was a great experience to learn how to pitch our ideas. My idea started with four people from my university, and now from that idea, we have a team of ten and have even established an enterprise.

Climate-KIC has played a great role in the foundation of our company as a startup, from developing our business plan to our impact model to our customer relations plans. Looking at the world's energy consumption, 60% goes to waste as heat, but this heat can be recycled or reused through thermoelectric technology. Climate-KIC's programmes have given me the biggest opportunity to go out of my house and network with other people working on similar solutions. This gave me the skills to create something bigger.

We innovate by repurposing used batteries. When I started working on my idea, I had very little idea on the climate impact. Having climate impact data is very crucial for my business and for the entire globe, and also for possible investors. And when I went to the ClimateLaunchpad competition, first of all, I got skills to make my pitch deck.

I have been able to move what has been in my mind into something tangible. So I was really trying to come up with a solution for a problem that we experienced in our community. But I never thought that one day I could become an entrepreneur. So entrepreneurship came as part of the journey, but my main target is to provide a solution for my Tanzanian community.

Farmer Lifeline Technologies improves farming productivity with AI crop monitoring devices. We are getting farmers ahead of crop pests and diseases using innovation for food security and for more income. Once the device is put on the farm, it captures the data. It detects any crop pest or disease.

It sends the information directly to the mobile phones of the farmers and extension officers. As a result, farmers are able to take action early enough to prevent crop losses. What I have learned at Climate-KIC is going to help me to grow my business and also to grow the impact that my business is making on the ground. Together, through innovation, we can address the climate crisis and create a more sustainable future for all.