Sylvia Duruson
Foodpreneurs Hub, a Nigerian foodtech startup, has recently secured $500,000 in pre-seed funding to further its mission of addressing food insecurity across Africa. The company, which aims to bridge the gap between food production and post-harvest loss, plans to use this investment to accelerate its efforts in supporting food entrepreneurs throughout the continent.
Founded by Olushola Oladejo and Yosola Oke, Foodpreneurs Hub focuses on empowering African food entrepreneurs through comprehensive training, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. The platform’s approach directly tackles the issue of post-harvest food loss, which accounts for over 40% of food waste in Africa.
Yosola Oke, the company’s COO, emphasized their goal of democratizing food processing. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to building a community that enables aspiring entrepreneurs to innovate, create jobs, and contribute to food security across Africa.
Foodpreneurs Hub offers a wide range of resources for African food innovators. These include coaching on product development, business planning, and market research. One of their key initiatives, the “FoodStars Business Scale-Up” program, provides a six-week intensive course offering mentorship and access to capital. Participants in this program have the opportunity to pitch their ventures and compete for funding of up to $1,000.
This recent funding round marks a significant milestone for Foodpreneurs Hub, building on earlier investments. In May 2024, the company received a substantial $5 million investment from Fusen Funds, led by American billionaire Chris Klaus. This earlier funding was aimed at expanding the company’s support for food entrepreneurs and helping them overcome practical challenges in the field.
The startup’s approach to ensuring food security in Africa involves assisting food processing entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. CEO Olushola Oladejo emphasized that their efforts go beyond addressing the symptoms of food insecurity. Instead, they focus on tackling the root causes by equipping the next generation of food innovators with the necessary tools and knowledge.
With this latest injection of funds, Foodpreneurs Hub is well-positioned to scale its impact across the continent. The team remains committed to driving entrepreneurship, fostering sustainable development, and building a food-secure future for Africa.
The platform’s holistic approach to supporting food entrepreneurs addresses multiple aspects of the food security challenge. By providing training, mentorship, and access to funding, Foodpreneurs Hub enables innovators to develop sustainable solutions tailored to local needs and conditions.
As Africa faces growing challenges in food security, initiatives like Foodpreneurs Hub play a crucial role in cultivating a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of transforming the continent’s food systems. By focusing on food processing and preservation, the platform addresses a critical gap in the food value chain, potentially reducing waste and increasing the availability of nutritious food across Africa.
The success of Foodpreneurs Hub in attracting investment highlights the growing recognition of the importance of foodtech solutions in addressing global challenges. As the company continues to expand its reach and impact, it has the potential to serve as a model for similar initiatives across the developing world.
