Viridia Tech Wins 2024 Mega Green Accelerator with Innovative Data Analytics Platform for Sustainable Farming
Egypt-based agritech startup Viridia Tech has been named the overall winner of the 2024 Mega Green Accelerator, receiving the prestigious $100,000 grand prize for their cutting-edge data analytics platform. This innovative platform leverages artificial intelligence to provide farmers with real-time insights and recommendations to improve crop growth efficiency and sustainability, as well as accurately forecast yields.
The Mega Green Accelerator, launched in 2023 by PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs, and 11 other strategic partners, aims to foster innovation and sustainability in the MENA region. This year’s program attracted over 350 submissions from startups, with eight finalists selected to participate in an intensive six-month program that included workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities with business leaders and investors.
During the industry Demo Day held in Riyadh, startups showcased innovative solutions targeting critical areas such as the circular economy, clean energy transitions, and food security. Among them, Saudi Arabia-based Mirai Solar took home the $30,000 second-place prize for their innovative solar-powered shade system, designed to help businesses and households reduce energy consumption.
Other startups featured in this year’s Accelerator included Mrüna and The Surpluss (UAE), AHYA TECHNOLOGIES (KSA), YY ReGen (Lebanon), P-VITA (Egypt), and Kumulus (Tunisia), each offering groundbreaking solutions in sustainability and resource efficiency.
The Mega Green Accelerator is a part of PepsiCo’s MENA Innovates program, which champions entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability through various initiatives designed to inspire future leaders. Wael Ismail, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at PepsiCo AMESA (Africa, Middle East, and South Asia), highlighted PepsiCo’s longstanding commitment to the region, saying, “PepsiCo has been a key partner in the region for 70 years. Through MENA Innovates, we focus on supporting startups and initiatives that promote innovation for a more sustainable future.”
Roland Daher, CEO of AstroLabs, also expressed his excitement about the success of the Accelerator program, noting that it has created a blueprint for advancing the growth of the sustainability sector in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. “Our collaboration with PepsiCo, SABIC, and other strategic partners has provided unparalleled access to industry leaders, offering the right support at the right time to scale these startups rapidly,” Daher added.
The success of the 2024 Mega Green Accelerator has positioned it as a key driver of sustainability innovation in the MENA region, offering startups a direct pathway into the sustainability value chain. The program’s focus on empowering entrepreneurs through mentorship, investment access, and business scaling opportunities is helping shape a greener, more sustainable future.
