The DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN), a Dutch fund to support green initiatives, joined forces with Seedstars to launch the “DOEN Land Restoration” Award, in order to find and reward the
Startup with the best solution to the problem of land restoration and soil degradation.
While land degradation and deforestation date back millennia, industrialization and population growth have dramatically accelerated the process. Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation and arable land loss at 30 at 35 times the historical rate.
Soil degradation in Africa ...
Almost two thirds of Africa's land is currently degraded, which makes sustainable economic development, development and resilience to climate change difficult. Africa has over 700 million hectares of forest landscapes that can be restored.
Potential benefits include better food and water, biodiversity protection, climate resilience and economic growth. Technology can help identify affected areas and accelerate the recovery process. Sensors + Big Data, combined with Recognition Drones, have already been used successfully. Startups that choose to embrace this challenge will have attractive benefits.
Awards
In addition to the initial prize valued at 10 thousand dollars, the winner of the challenge will receive 9 months of access to the Seedstars Investment
Readiness Program, the hybrid program that challenges traditional acceleration models, creating a unique mix to improve boot performance and prepare them to secure the investment.
There is also a trip to the Seedstars Africa Summit in Johannesburg, with all expenses paid for the best 3 Startups.
Registration
Registration is now open and will close on 15 October. Startups can apply here: http://seedsta.rs/doen
Below are the main criteria for participation *:
● Startups less than 4 years old.
● Startups that can adapt your current solution to the land restoration space.
● Have a demonstrable product or service (Minimum Viable Product, MVP)
More details on the criteria can be found on the Seedstars page.
