Ethio-ConnectEd

CONNECT-ED CHALLENGE; Ethiopia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

ConnectEd Education Program

Learn more about the ConnectEd Challenge and how a high-access, low-cost phone-based innovation can deliver remedial education to underserved primary-aged learners.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Ethio-ConnectEd empowers children whose education has been disrupted by crisis to rebuild their learning, strengthen essential skills, and unlock brighter futures.

Ethio-ConnectEd delivers phone-based tutoring to children whose education has been disrupted by conflict and natural disasters. The pilot is based in the Tigray region, reaching 200 disadvantaged primary school children with numeracy-focused support. By customizing materials to local languages and education systems, and working through capacitated local teams, they ensure that learning is accessible and culturally relevant. What sets them apart is their ability to combine rigorous research with practical, low-cost delivery, creating solutions that can be scaled to reach tens of thousands of children across Ethiopia.

ConnectEd was launched in 2023 as a pilot project in partnership with Youth Impact, Botswana. Building on the success and demonstrated impact of the pilot, Gidisa Lachisa Tato, the Founder, is establishing a standalone organization in Ethiopia, named Ethio-ConnectEd.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 200 most disadvantaged children in remote and conflict-affected areas in the Tigray region.

• Using 14 well-trained teachers, provide 6 weeks of phone-based numeracy tutoring for 200 children.

• For intervention scale-up, fundraise an additional USD 50,000 from new donors or affiliate partner organisations.

FOUNDING TEAM

Dr Gidisa Lachisa Tato - Founder

GirlSmart Education

SUGAR DADDY AWARENESS CHALLENGE; KENYA

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Sugar Daddy Awareness classes. 

Learn more about the Sugar Daddy Awareness Challenge and how a simple, one-hour “sugar daddy awareness” training could help countless girls avoid pregnancy while still in school, which can lead to entrenched poverty, and build a better life.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

GirlSmart Education’s mission is to amplify the life outcomes of over 5 million girls across East Africa by enhancing their knowledge of high-risk sexual behaviours, averting early teenage pregnancies and reducing HIV/STI transmission.

GirlSmart will pilot in Kariobangi, Nairobi, a low-income residential area with high rates of teenage pregnancy and HIV prevalence. In its pilot, 250 youth will receive the Sugar Daddy awareness intervention, equipping them with life-changing knowledge about risk profiles. What sets them apart is their hybrid centralised and decentralised distribution model, which allows for both direct internal scale-up and rapid national expansion through an MoU with Kenya’s Ministry of Education. By combining this with their partnership model, where they build recurring relationships with schools and health clinics, they can reach 100,000 youth in just under 2 years.

GirlSmart Education was started in 2025 by Kalori Wesonga and Faith Mutinda. Kalori Wesonga serves as GirlSmart’s Project Manager, while Faith Mutinda serves as Program Coordinator.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 250 youth will receive the Sugar Daddy Awareness Intervention within 3 months.

• Using 2 peer facilitators, we will distribute 6 proven interventions.

• Fundraising an additional $300,000 USD from new donors or investors within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Kalori Wesonga - Founder

Faith Mutinda - Co-Founder

Women's Choice Initiative

SAYANA PRESS CHALLENGE; Nigeria

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Sayana Press injectable contraceptive.  

Learn more about the Sayana®  Press Challenge and why training health providers to administer Sayana® Press can be particularly valuable for women who prefer injectable contraceptives but don’t have regular access.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Women's Choice Initiative seeks to increase access to self-injectable contraceptives for women. It will achieve 200 doses of Sayana Press to 200 women over three months, reaching 800 beneficiaries through household impact and, in the long run, over 10,000 women.

The distribution model works through Private Patent Medicine Stores (PPMS) in Bakassi LGA, Cross River State, who will be trained and supplied with Sayana Press to administer to women in their communities. Each woman will receive a three-month dose, and the providers will ensure follow-up and continuous uptake while tracking usage data. They complement this with demand-generation through household outreach, ensuring entire families benefit from improved reproductive health. What sets Women's Choice Initiative apart is its strong government partnerships, which position it to quickly transition from pilot to large-scale adoption through sustained contraceptive supply chains.

Women’s Choice Initiative was started in 2025 by Abigail Nyala. She serves as the full-time Founder and Program Director, leading efforts to expand access to reproductive health solutions for women.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 200 women through 20 patent medical stores.

• Distribute 200 proven interventions.

• Raise an additional $5,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Abigail Princess Nyala - Founder and Program Director

Aqua Safe

Clean Water Access CHALLENGE; Malawi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Ceramic Water Filters

Learn more about the Clean Water Access Challenge and why ceramic pot water filters can be used by households to clean otherwise unsafe water from almost any source.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Aqua Safe provides affordable ceramic water filters to low-income households in Malawi, ensuring safe drinking water and promoting lasting, healthy water practices.

The venture will pilot in Lilongwe’s rural and semi-urban urban, using a network of commissioned agents to sell ceramic water filters and run awareness campaigns on the importance of using filters and consuming safe, treated water. They will target Village Savings and Loan groups and small community clusters, offering a pay-as-you-use model with five monthly instalments to ensure affordability. Central kiosks will serve as sales and repair hubs while providing additional services like phone charging to maintain sustainability. What sets them apart is the combination of sales, education, and follow-up support, driving lasting behavioural change.

Aqua Safe, founded in 2025 in Lilongwe, Malawi, is led by Francis Mwamlima as full-time Managing Director and Chifundo Chikabadwa as Finance Lead. The team is committed to increasing access to safe drinking water by selling affordable ceramic water filters. Francis brings WASH and project management expertise, while Chifundo ensures strong financial management to drive sustainability.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 3,200 low-income households with access to safe drinking water through ceramic water filters within 3 months.

• Establish a distribution network of at least 20 active community-based agents trained to sell and promote ceramic water filters.

• Secure an additional $25,000 USD in funding or investment commitments from new donors or investors within 3 months of launch.

FOUNDING TEAM

Francis Lusekero Mwamlima - Managing Director

Chifundo Chikabadwa - Accountant

Lead Sisters Health Initiative

PATIENT IDENTIFICATION CHALLENGE; Nigeria

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Cervical cancer screenings

Learn more about the Patient Identification Challenge and why identifying individuals in need of medical treatment and finding ways to make that treatment accessible reduces poverty.  

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Lead Sisters Health Initiative tackles the high rate of preventable cervical cancer deaths in Nigeria, starting in Anambra state, through a community-based, scalable model to deliver cervical cancer screenings.

The model encompasses training community health nurses who will educate women about cervical cancer and encourage participation in screening programs. They will collaborate with existing Primary Healthcare Centres to provide follow-up care and referrals for women who test positive to the state teaching hospital. Through community outreaches, they will educate communities about cervical cancer prevention and the importance of early screening. Lead Health Organisation will use a digital health platform to track screenings, results, and follow-up care, ensuring accountability and enabling data-driven improvements. By training local healthcare providers and advocating for government integration, they will build a sustainable system that continues beyond the initial program phase.

The founding team is led by Chiamaka Ibeanu, a public health professional and a nurse with research expertise in cancer screenings and infectious diseases, who has strong operational skills and drives strategic visions.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 120 women during the pilot.

• Distribute 120 interventions during the pilot.

• Fundraise USD 20,000 during the pilot.

FOUNDING TEAM

Chiamaka Modesta Ibeanu - Founder

AGROW

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Agrow empowers smallholder farmers with the knowledge, tools, and market access they need to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and build sustainable livelihoods.

The pilot is based in Lwengo District, Uganda, where Agrow runs a farmer field school to train smallholder farmers in improved maize production, Good Agricultural Practices, fertilizer use, and post-harvest handling. After training, farmers receive bundled inputs of certified seed, fertilizer, and storage bags sourced in bulk through partnerships with agro-input dealers. They then join a cooperative, which supports collective marketing and ensures farmers access reliable buyers at fair prices.

What sets them apart is their training to implementation model that combines practical training, input access, and market linkages, ensuring farmers are well prepared to take off.

The founding team is led by Dr. Alex Onguramong Etoori, an extensionist by trade with extensive experience training farmers in best agricultural practices, and Jacinta Adepyo, an accountant with a strong background in farmer financial management, monitoring and evaluation with a keen focus on agricultural monitoring. Together, they blend technical expertise with business acumen to support smallholder farmers. Their shared passion for sustainable agriculture drives Agrow's mission to improve livelihoods.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 600 people during the pilot.

• Distribute 120 interventions during the pilot.

• Fundraise an additional USD 12,000 within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Dr. Alex Onguramong Etoori - Founder

Jacinta Adepyo - Founder

OLK HealthTech Consults Ltd

OXYGEN CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Service and repair of oxygen concentrators

Learn more about the Oxygen Challenge and how proper maintenance of oxygen concentrators expands access to medical oxygen to save lives.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

OLK HealthTech Consults Ltd’s mission is to strengthen healthcare systems by enhancing biomedical engineering capacity through locally driven, sustainable solutions that restore functionality to life-saving medical equipment and prevent avoidable deaths.

The distribution model is centered around deploying trained biomedical engineering graduates as frontline oxygen support agents in under-resourced hospitals, beginning with a pilot in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. These graduates are equipped with toolkits, mentorship, and a structured deployment plan to restore functionality to critical oxygen concentrators and train healthcare workers in basic maintenance.

By embedding technical capacity directly within district health facilities, OLK HealthTech’s model reduces equipment downtime, empowers local teams, and extends the lifespan of life-saving technologies. What sets them apart is their hybrid focus on both device functionality and local human capital development, solving two system gaps at once. This locally grounded, cost-effective approach offers a replicable model for nationwide scale.

OLK HealthTech Consults Ltd was founded by three Ugandan biomedical engineers, Solomon Canna Owino, Success Kamuhanda, and Moses Luswata, driven by a shared vision to solve critical health system gaps through local biomedical innovation. The team combines expertise in clinical engineering, health technology management, and biomedical training, with years of hands-on experience in Uganda’s public hospitals. Success Kamuhanda currently leads the venture’s strategy and technical coordination.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Improve access to life-saving oxygen for over 1,575 people, through preventive maintenance, calibration, and rapid repair of oxygen concentrators, across public health facilities in Tororo District Region

• Repair and maintain 315 Oxygen Concentrators, and build local biomedical capacity by training 5 biomedical engineering graduates and at least 50 hospital-based health workers (nurses, maintenance technicians, clinical officers, artisans) using a hands-on Training-of-Trainers (ToT) model.

• OLK HealthTech is seeking to raise an additional $30,000 to support the deployment of biomedical graduates, scale maintenance activities to at least 10 hospitals, procure critical spare parts and backup equipment, and expand local training programs that will improve oxygen access while strengthening hospital-based biomedical capacity.

FOUNDING TEAM

Success Kamuhanda - Biomedical Engineer

Owino Solomon Canna - Biomedical Engineer

Luswata Moses - Biomedical Engineer

VaxCess

CHILD IMMUNIZATION CHALLENGE; Ghana

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Routine childhood immunizations

Learn more about the Immunization Challenge and how Increasing routine childhood immunization rates in low-coverage areas could prevent millions of childhood deaths.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

VaxCess combines cash incentives, QR-coded tracking, and localized voice reminder system, to boost vaccination uptake and completion of childhood immunization schedules in underserved communities.

The VaxCess model combines modest cash incentives with QR-coded tracking and automated voice reminders to help caregivers overcome financial and logistical barriers to completing immunization schedules. The 3-month pilot will enroll 100 caregivers in the central sub-metro area of the Tamale Metropolitan District in Northern Ghana, directly supporting their children’s vaccination journeys. What sets VaxCess apart is its unique integration of incentives and technology to address demand-side barriers in a context where most interventions focus only on supply.

VaxCess is founded by Chelsea Mambora Yamyia, a health systems and policy researcher from Ghana with expertise in implementation science, equity-focused interventions, and maternal and child health. Chelsea has led and supported multiple health projects, including randomized controlled trials, GIS-based health access studies, and digital health policy research.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 100 caregivers

• Deliver 600+ vaccine doses

• Fundraise an additional $15,000 USD from new donors and investors

FOUNDING TEAM

Chelsea Mambora Yamyia - Founder

The Paal

Custom Livestock; India

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Custom Livestock Challenge

Learn more about the Custom Livestock Challenge and why distributing proven livestock interventions can greatly improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

The Paal is reimagining the cow as more than just a livelihood, turning it into an investable asset to unlock economic opportunities for smallholder women farmers.

The Paal turns livestock into an investable asset class to bring better opportunities and economic security for smallholder farmers. The pilot is in Salem and Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu in India. Unlike others, The Paal treats the farm as not merely an input but as a core product- creating value for farmers, consumers, and investors alike.

The Paal was co-founded by Manali Jain, a graduate student at Harvard University who serves as CEO, and Shivam Johri, COO, with experience in agribusiness and private equity. They met as undergraduates at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and combined grassroots insight with strong operational expertise to build a scalable, farmer-first model.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 100 customers.

• Distribute 50 proven interventions.

• Fundraise an additional $30,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Manali Jain - CEO

Shivam Johri - COO

Read Imagine Grow Association India (RIGA)

Teaching at the Right Level CHALLENGE; India

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Education Program

Learn more about the Teaching at the Right Level Challenge and how an evidence-based foundational learning program can improve primary literacy and numeracy in low-resource schools.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Read Imagine Grow Association India (RIGA) is bridging learning gaps to unlock the potential of primary students in rural India.

RIGA’s model aims to utilize existing rural school infrastructure and train teachers in TaRL via a sustainable train-the-trainer model. The TaRL interventions will be integrated into existing school hours to ensure maximum participation and impact. TaRL is one of the most effective techniques proven to bring 2X improvement in learning levels within 2 months.

RIGA was founded in 2025 by Srishti Parihar and Anjali Malik. Srishti is a grassroots educationist, storyteller, writer and non-profit leader with prior experience working with government schools and primary school children. Anjali brings HR expertise with rich experience in Learning & Development, CSR and operational excellence.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 200 learners.

• Distribute 200 proven interventions.

• Fundraise an additional $5,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Anjali Malik - Co-Founder

Srishti Parihar - Co-Founder

Wealth Village

Poverty Graduation CHALLENGE; Burundi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Wealth Village aims to break the cycle of poverty in rural Burundi through entrepreneurship.

The Wealth Village model ensures that the extremely poor individuals in the community, especially women, are empowered or enabled to graduate out of extreme poverty and achieve economic and social advancement through comprehensive business skills and financial literacy training, dedicated coaching and mentoring, and savings as well as social support.

The founding team is led by a passionate changemaker who grew up in a rural area, where access to basic needs was a daily struggle for many households. This firsthand experience inspired a lifelong commitment to addressing extreme poverty. Now a seasoned Monitoring and Evaluation specialist in the NGO sector, he brings data-driven strategies and community insight to create impactful, sustainable solutions.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 30 women within three months

• Provide tailored skills training, coaching, and routine mentoring to 30 women for effective management of their business ventures by the end of the pilot and create 15 savings groups.

• Raise additional USD 50,000 from new donors within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Olivier Mukunzi - Founder and CEO

Jagguza Capital Enterprise

Poverty Graduation CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Jagguza Capital Enterprise empowers ultra-poor women in rural communities to escape poverty by building sustainable, climate-smart businesses through seed funding, skills training, and community-based support.

Jagguza Capital Enterprise will implement its pilot in Kasanda District, Uganda, using a group-based distribution model where 90 ultra-poor women are organised into 30 micro-business groups of three members each. Each group is paired with a trained local business mentor who delivers skills training, monitors progress, and provides ongoing coaching. Participants receive seed capital in two instalments, join business savings groups (BSGs), and are linked to financial institutions and local markets.

What sets Jagguza Capital Enterprise apart is its scalable, cost-effective model that leverages peer accountability and mentorship within group enterprises, increasing success rates while reducing operational costs.

The founding team is led by Nakabuye Joanitah, Executive Director, with a strong background in strategic leadership and rural development. She is supported by Sserunga Paul, Operations Manager with expertise in community engagement and logistics, and Justine Nanono, Finance Officer and Growth Catalyst with experience in financial planning and grassroots coordination. Together, they bring deep local knowledge, technical expertise, and a shared passion for empowering ultra-poor communities.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 90 beneficiaries within three months.

• Distribute 30 proven interventions during the pilot.

• Raise an additional USD 25,000 during the pilot.

FOUNDING TEAM

Nakabuye Joanitah - Executive Director

Nanono Justine - Finance Officer and Growth Catalyst

Sserunga Paul - Operations Manager

Sante Initiative

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Sante Initiative’s mission is to increase access to reading glasses for people with presbyopia living in low and middle-income countries.

The organization will connect reading glasses to people living with presbyopia by raising awareness about presbyopia through conducting educational sessions for health workers and community members, and developing informational materials (pamphlets, videos, online content) on presbyopia.

They will facilitate access to diagnostic tools by utilizing mobile apps with Snellen charts, offering self-testing options for individuals with smartphones, and making these charts available in community drug shops and clinics. They will also ensure quality control for prescribed glasses by ensuring that high-quality glasses are prescribed and conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance with prescription guidelines.

Sante Initiative was started in 2024 by Irene Mbabazi and Derrick Bary Abila. Both individuals are passionate about promoting better vision health in Africa.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 500 beneficiaries during the pilot.

• Distribute 500 reading eyeglasses during the pilot.

• Fundraise USD 25,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Irene Mbabazi - Co-Founder

Derrick Bary Abila - Co-Founder

ClearSight Initiative

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Ethiopia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Clearsight Initiative empowers low-income presbyopic adults in Ethiopia by providing affordable, accessible reading eyeglasses through a sustainable, community-based distribution model.

Clearsight Initiative will combine multiple models based on geographic and demographic considerations. In urban areas, they will use the hub-and-spoke model with micro-entrepreneurs and in rural areas, they will rely on mobile clinics and self-adjustable vision kits.

Schools and community centers will act as year-round access points in both settings. They will integrate those models for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable distribution framework to make reading glasses accessible across diverse communities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and beyond.

The team combines Dr. Araya Yirga, a clinician and public health expert with more than 13 years of experience, including as Regional Public Health Services Director; Tr. Assefa Berhe, a teacher, top-selling books author and former head of a teachers' association; Sir Mulu Tekie, an ophthalmic nurse, with an extensive public service record including director of MNCH project at Moms fir Moms NGO; and Dr. Bereket Zeray, a university professor with Phd in Accounting and Finance and who has served as regional development bank advisor.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 1,000 presbyopic adults during our pilot phase by distributing 1,000 reading eyeglasses through trained sales agents in selected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia.

• Distribute 1,000 proven reading eyeglasses to presbyopic adults during the pilot phase.

• Raise up to $5,000 during the pilot phase by pursuing small grants, local contributions, and potential in-kind support.

FOUNDING TEAM

Dr. Araya Yirga - Founder

Tr. Assefa Berhe - Co-Founder

Sir Mulu Tekie - Co-Founder

Dr. Bereket Zeray - Co-Founder

Aid Vision

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Democratic Republic of the Congo

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Aid Vision distributes reading glasses to older adults experiencing age-related vision change.

Aid Vision’s model is based on distributing affordable non-prescription reading glasses through last-mile shops in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Targeting individuals aged 40 and older with age-related vision changes, they offer quick vision screenings. What sets Aid Vision apart is its high-leverage approach, which consists of improving the quality of life for older adults with accessible, affordable solutions.

Aid Vision was founded in 2025 by Victor Naka Magerano and Benjamin Luhazi. Aid Vision is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Victor Magerano serves as Aid Vision's full-time Project Lead.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide reading glasses to 500 individuals.

• Equip 20 last-mile shops to distribute the reading glasses.

• Fundraise an additional $60,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Victor Naka Magerano - Project Lead

Benjamin Luhazi - Project Manager

SunLink Engineering PLC

SOLAR LAMP CHALLENGE; Ethiopia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Solar Lamps

Learn more about the Solar Lamp Challenge and how these lamps create enormous benefits for developing world families.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

SunLink Engineering PLC is building sustainable livelihoods for off-grid Ethiopian communities through community-driven solar solutions.

SunLink Engineering PLC distribute high-quality solar lanterns in rural and deep rural Ethiopia by partnering with trusted local community-managed social groups. This promotes collective purchasing within their pilot region of Oromia. Their commitment extends beyond the sale, as they provide full after-sales and maintenance service to all their customers.

Abnet Birkineh, a YALI RLC EA fellow and experienced electrical engineer, serves as the leader of their dedicated team of young entrepreneurs possessing significant familiarity with Ethiopia's solar energy sector. The core team includes financial management expertise provided by the Finance Manager, Tseganesh Birkineh, alongside a committed sales department and strategic guidance from an experienced business mentor. Mr. Abnet's leadership, coupled with the team's local knowledge and diverse competencies, is central to achieving their objective of delivering sustainable energy solutions.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 500 quality solar lamps will be distributed to off-grid households.

• 2,500 people will be directly impacted.

• 10,000 USD additional funds will be raised.

FOUNDING TEAM

Abnet Birkineh Molla - Team Lead

Tseganesh Birkineh - Finance Manager

Presbyoptics Solutions

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Presbyoptics Solutions restores vision for Kenyans through affordable reading glasses.

Presbyoptics Solutions is dedicated to addressing uncorrected presbyopia in Bondo Sub-County, Kenya. Despite the availability of affordable reading glasses, many individuals aged 40 and above lack access due to cost, limited availability, and the misconception that glasses require a prescription. The initiative aims to demedicalize access to reading glasses by using Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and church networks to distribute affordable, non-prescription reading glasses.

Through this model, they train CHVs and distributors to conduct basic vision screenings using the Snellen chart and the WHOeyes app. These trained individuals then distribute reading glasses at a subsidized cost, making them accessible to Bondo populations. By integrating eye health into community health strategies and religious gatherings, they aim to normalize the use of reading glasses and improve the quality of life and productivity for their target population.

Presbyoptics Solutions was started in 2025 by Beatrice Achieng Abura as Founder and full-time Director, Eugene Reywa Peywa as the Co-Founder & Project Coordinator, M & E.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide affordable, non-prescription reading glasses to at least 475 individuals aged 40 and above in Bondo Sub-County.

• Equip 7 CHVs and 5 church-based distributors with the skills to conduct vision screenings and manage inventory.

• Establish a referral network to ensure that 100% of individuals with complex eye conditions are directed to specialized ophthalmological care.

FOUNDING TEAM

Beatrice Achieng Abura - Director

Eugene Reywa Peywa - Project Coordinator, M & E.

Accelero

Teaching at the Right Level CHALLENGE; Indonesia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Education Program

Learn more about the Teaching at the Right Level Challenge and how an evidence-based foundational learning program can improve primary literacy and numeracy in low-resource schools.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Accelero accelerates foundational learning for underserved students in rural Indonesia.

Accelero delivers the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach through after-school programs in rural primary schools, starting in Sorong, Southwest Papua, one of Indonesia’s lowest-literacy cities. They support students in grades 3 to 6 who are falling behind in reading and math by teaching them based on their actual learning level.

What sets them apart is their partnership with local universities - they recruit and train student volunteers, providing them with hands-on teaching experience while empowering them to serve their communities. They also equip schools with reading books and help create joyful, literacy-rich environments. By combining proven intervention with local talent, Accelero builds a sustainable, community-driven model that shapes future educators and ensures every child has the chance to learn, thrive, and succeed in life.

Accelero was founded in 2025 by Catherine Tikara and Kevin Evan, both originating from rural regions of Indonesia. Their personal experiences with educational disparities while studying in urban centres have given them a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students who are often left behind in the classroom. Driven by this awareness, they founded Accelero to address the urgent need for equitable educational opportunities for children in rural communities across Indonesia.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 200 learners.

• Distribute 864 proven interventions.

• Fundraise an additional $50,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Catherine Octaviane Tikara - Founder

Kevin Evannanda Septian - Co-Founder

Lotssy Uganda

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Lotssy connects Ugandan smallholder farmers with quality knowledge, agro-inputs, and markets.

Lotssy Uganda is a social enterprise that is redefining how smallholder farmers access the lifeblood of agriculture: quality inputs, timely advice, and affordable financing. Its community-powered model makes farming more productive, resilient, and inclusive. Lotssy Uganda operates through a decentralized distribution model that connects smallholder farmers in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda with certified quality agro-inputs, training, markets, and affordable financing.

At the core of its approach are trained community-based farmer agents, who serve as microentrepreneurs, ensuring last-mile delivery. Each community-based farmer supports, on average, 30 smallholder farmers per season during the pilot, facilitating the bulk ordering of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and crop protective inputs.

Lotssy Uganda’s model emphasizes last-mile delivery, ensuring farmers receive products and training tailored to their specific needs. They collaborate and leverage Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to provide affordable financing options, allowing farmers to access inputs. Additionally, Lotssy prioritizes education on good agronomic practices and climate resilience strategies, empowering farmers to enhance their productivity sustainably.

Lotssy Uganda’s team is built on a strong foundation of trust and collaboration, stemming from their first meeting at the Rootical Bootcamp in 2023, focused on regenerative agriculture. From that moment, they recognized a shared commitment to addressing the urgent issue of access to quality agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers.

Innocent’s entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement skills drive their outreach efforts, while Brian’s expertise in agricultural finance ensures that they can mitigate risks for farmers. Together, they built Lotssy Uganda with a focus on connecting local input producers to the farmers who need their services the most. They see the gap in the market where many effective local producers struggle to reach their audience.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 100 smallholder farmers successfully reached and served by the community-based agents in 3 months.

• 300 interventions (seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection inputs) successfully distributed among the 100 farmers in the first 3 months.

• $20,000 in additional funding for the business fundraised.

FOUNDING TEAM

Brian Kiprotich - Chief Operations Officer

Innocent Ociti - Chief Executive Officer

Kuwala Clean Energy

SOLAR LAMP CHALLENGE; Malawi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Solar Lamps

Learn more about the Solar Lamp Challenge and how these lamps create enormous benefits for developing world families.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Kuwala Clean Energy’s mission is to uplift off-grid communities in Malawi with clean energy for healthier, safer lives.

Kuwala Clean Energy will pilot its distribution model in Havara Village, Zomba, Malawi, by using existing Water Point Committees as community-based sales agents. These trusted local groups will be trained to distribute Sun King solar lamps using a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model, which requires only a 30% upfront payment.

This approach ensures accessibility while utilising well-established community structures for efficient distribution. Kuwala Clean Energy’s integration with local governance systems makes them stars, fostering trust and sustainability from within the community itself.

Kuwala Clean Energy was founded by Gabriel Kamowatimwa, Raymond Zulu, Hopeson Ngalande, and Phillip Kamowatimwa in 2024. Gabriel serves as the Chief Executive Officer and leads overall strategy and monitoring. The team combines expertise in project coordination, field operations, and finance, with a strong connection to the local community in Zomba, Malawi.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 1500 beneficiaries during the pilot.

• Distribute 500 solar lamps during the pilot.

• Fundraise an additional $15,000 during the pilot phase.

FOUNDING TEAM

Gabriel Kamowatimwa - Chief Executive Officer

Raymond Innocent Zulu - Project Coordinator

Philip Kamowatimwa - Finance Manager

Hopeson Ngakande - Field Officer