Two Saudi startups are among eight companies from the Middle East and North Africa region selected by PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs, and partners for their Mega Green Accelerator.
In a significant move towards sustainability, two Saudi startups are among eight companies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region selected by PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs, and partners for their Mega Green Accelerator.
The selected startups have proposed innovative solutions aimed at advancing the circular economy, transitioning to clean energy, or mitigating climate change through enhanced water use and agricultural processes.
Timed to coincide with this year’s GPCA Plastics Conference, themed “Innovating for Sustainable Growth,” the chosen startups also had the opportunity to present their ideas to industry leaders committed to accelerating the development of a circular economy in the region.
Eugene Willemsen, CEO for Africa, Middle East, and South Asia at PepsiCo and International Beverages, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “The Mega Green Accelerator will nurture the next generation of innovators as they develop solutions to address both regional and global sustainability challenges. For the next six months, the eight promising change-makers will receive funding, mentorship from industry experts, and market access to scale their innovative solutions. At the end of the program later this year, one winning company will be awarded $30,000 in funding to continue its expansion.”
Promising Startups
Out of 363 submissions from sustainable startups in the region, the eight shortlisted companies are:
- Mrüna, UAE: A consulting and distribution company focused on developing innovative urban solutions.
- The Surpluss, UAE: A climate technology startup helping SMEs reduce greenhouse gas emissions profitably through resource sharing via a digital sustainability exchange.
- Mirai Solar, Saudi Arabia: Specializes in expanding solar energy use beyond conventional applications, improving energy use efficiency in food production and smart buildings for a sustainable future.
- Ahya Technologies, Saudi Arabia: A climate software and AI startup building a unified platform for scaling climate action across the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan.
- YY ReGen, Lebanon: Provides innovative solutions through the promotion of renewable energy, sustainable water management, and regenerative farming.
- Viridia Tech, Egypt: Offers a platform for crop analytics at scale for industrial agricultural companies, leading to significant improvements in yield, unit economics, and sustainability metrics.
- P-VITA, Egypt: A biotechnology hub producing natural raw materials for the cosmetics, food, and beverage industries using AI and IoT technologies to reduce carbon footprint through automated processes.
- Kumulus, Tunisia: A water tech startup turning air into fresh drinking water through innovative AWG machines, aiming to make drinking water more accessible, sustainable, and economical for hotels and businesses across MENA and Southern Europe.
“With solutions spanning agriculture, water, and energy sectors, this is an opportunity for us to accelerate the development of practical climate technologies crucial to address the MENA region’s challenges and strengthen our position as a testbed for climate innovation globally,” said Willemsen. He emphasized the pivotal role of startups in reshaping and defining the future through cross-sector collaboration and innovation.
Roland Daher, CEO of AstroLabs, highlighted the competitive selection process: “Over 300 fast-growing sustainability companies from all over the MENA region have applied to the program, showcasing a healthy influx of sustainable solutions and rapid growth in the sector. The selection of these eight companies underscores their readiness for scale, marking a pivotal time in the sector’s development.”
Strategic Support and Partnerships
The Mega Green Accelerator is bolstered by strategic investment partners like Dubai Future District Fund, Venture Souq, and Shurooq Partners, providing platforms for investment opportunities, mentorship in raising capital, and networking throughout the program. Schneider Electric will support the accelerator as a prize partner, participating in the final selection of the winner.
The initiative sets the stage for a robust sustainability infrastructure in the MENA region, bridging the gap between innovative companies and the necessary resources to thrive and create impactful regional solutions.