Founded in 2020, Farm to Feed tackles the issue of food waste by connecting farmers with surplus or “imperfect” produce to new markets.

Their B2B platform uses technology to streamline the process, aggregating supply and demand, optimizing logistics, and facilitating seamless customer interaction.

“Our mission is to revolutionize how food is valued and utilized in Kenya,” said Claire van Enk, Farm to Feed’s managing director.

“We are committed to reducing agriculture’s environmental impact, increasing farmer incomes, and making nutritious food more accessible and affordable for everyone.”

Renew Capital, founded in 2012, invests on behalf of a global network of high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and family offices seeking financial returns alongside positive social impact.

The firm recently launched a new pan-African tech fund to support innovative African entrepreneurs building successful companies.

“Farm to Feed exemplifies the innovative spirit and determination we value at Renew Capital,” said Esther Mwikali, Renew Capital’s Kenyan investment and project manager.

“We’re committed to backing founders with a blend of skill, perseverance, and passion. Farm to Feed’s dedication to transforming Kenya’s food system perfectly aligns with our values.”

The funding round attracted prominent investors including Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, and angel investors like Shola Akinlade, co-founder of Paystack.

Founded in 2021, Chowdeck has quickly gained traction in the Nigerian market, boasting over 500,000 users across eight cities.

The company attributes its success to its focus on speed and execution, inspired by CEO Femi Aluko’s experience with efficient delivery services abroad.

Chowdeck has also strategically partnered with major players like Chicken Republic and Shoprite, expanding its reach and user base.

“Our mission is to make delicious food easily accessible to Nigerians,” said Aluko in a statement. “This funding allows us to further improve the experience for our customers, vendors, and delivery riders.”

Nigeria’s on-demand delivery sector is booming, fueled by urbanization, smartphone adoption, and changing consumer habits.

A Statista report projects the online food delivery market to reach $2.83 billion in 2024, with continued growth expected in the coming years.

However, the market is not without challenges. Infrastructure issues like bad roads and heavy traffic can disrupt deliveries, while a struggling economy may limit customer spending. Despite these hurdles, Chowdeck remains optimistic, aiming to expand into new Nigerian cities before the end of 2024.

The company’s success story stands in contrast to recent exits from the market by competitors like Jumia Food and Bolt Food.

Chowdeck’s focus on efficiency, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of the Nigerian market position it for continued growth.

The funding will be used to upgrade the company’s technology infrastructure, recruit new talent, and expand into Saudi Arabia.

Founded in 2012, Waffarha offers deep discounts on various products and services through daily deals on its website and mobile app.

With a network exceeding 1,000 merchants and 3,000 stores, the platform caters to over five million customers.

The funding round was led by Value Makers Studio (VMS), a Saudi Arabian venture studio.

This partnership will provide the capital for Waffarha’s Saudi expansion and also offer marketing expertise to help them reach a wider audience in the kingdom.

Additionally, Waffarha plans to diversify its offerings by introducing new services like bill payment functionalities.

VMS focuses on transforming promising ideas into successful businesses by providing resources, talent, and guidance to entrepreneurs.

Their mission is to empower innovative startups, promote technological advancements, create jobs, and solidify their presence within the Saudi market.

VMS recently launched the “Bridge Programme” to smoothen the transition for Egyptian tech startups seeking to expand into Saudi Arabia. Their investment portfolio also includes other successful ventures like Akhdar, Awfar, and OBM Education.

This fresh capital injection follows their initial equity investment announced earlier this year.

The funding round included participation from African Renaissance Partners, a prominent East African venture capital firm, alongside Endgame Capital, a strong supporter of climate-focused technologies, and King Philanthropies, an investor dedicated to tackling climate change and extreme poverty.

This funding empowers Kubik to accelerate its operations in Ethiopia following the successful launch of its factory in Addis Ababa.

The factory transforms plastic waste into eco-friendly building materials such as interlocking bricks, columns, beams, and jambs.

Kubik’s vision extends beyond national borders. Co-founder and CEO, Kidus Asfaw, highlights their plan to leverage this investment to solidify their presence in Addis Ababa while laying the groundwork for Pan-African expansion starting in 2025.

Kubik’s core technology involves upcycling plastic waste into “low-carbon, durable, and affordable” building materials.

Asfaw reveals their strategic intent to license this proprietary technology in the future, aiming for both Pan-African and global impact.

“Our ultimate goal is to empower cities with a truly circular solution,” says Asfaw. “We’re currently focused on establishing a successful model here in Ethiopia.

Once proven, we’ll expand to a few additional markets, demonstrating the adaptability of this model. However, our long-term vision is to transition into a technology licensing company.”

Asfaw, who co-founded Kubik with Penda Marre in 2021, emphasizes: “This licensing approach is our key to true scalability. We envision a global industry adopting a new standard for sustainable building materials, not replicating factories worldwide.”

Currently, Kubik recycles 5,000 kilograms of plastic waste daily, with a maximum capacity of 45,000 kilograms.

Established partnerships with corporations and the Addis Ababa municipality ensure a steady supply of plastic waste. The company is also exploring product diversification, with pavers and flooring materials in the pipeline.