Startup Lagos

25-Mar-2025

Startup Raises

3 Startups Awarded at the Orange Summer Challenge in Morocco 1 month ago

The Orange Summer Challenge (OSC), a premier initiative of the Orange Digital Centers network in the Middle East and Africa, culminated in an inspiring international ceremony held in Casablanca on February 20, 2025. This flagship event, created in 2011, aims to motivate young individuals to develop technology startups that serve the common good. This year's edition celebrated three months of intensive support aimed at transforming innovative ideas into viable startups.

Over the course of the challenge, 282 young innovators and entrepreneurs from 14 countries received comprehensive training, mentoring, and coaching from experts at Orange and its partners, including AWS, EY, and NOKIA. Together, these participants developed 57 startups focused on the Tech4Impact theme, addressing pressing regional challenges in areas such as the environment, health, education, and agriculture.

Celebrating Impactful Innovations

The award ceremony showcased three standout startups, selected by an international jury and through votes from Orange employees across the Middle East and Africa. The event attracted professionals, partners, media representatives, and stakeholders from the entrepreneurial and academic ecosystems, all eager to witness the remarkable achievements of the participants.

The winners of the 2025 Orange Summer Challenge are:

• 1st Prize: Plastikoo (Madagascar) – This innovative startup is dedicated to transforming plastic waste into sustainable building materials, effectively reducing pollution while promoting the sustainable development of local communities.

• 2nd Prize: MEPS (Tunisia) – MEPS offers an IoT-integrated solution that converts organic waste into clean biogas and fertilizer, playing a crucial role in the energy transition.

• 3rd Prize: Leevlong (Cameroon) – Leevlong has developed a medical remote monitoring device that enables real-time tracking of vital signs, significantly improving patient management and care.

As part of their recognition, the winners will receive financial, technical, and commercial support from the Orange Digital Centers and their partners. NOKIA will provide €40,000 to fund pre-incubation and incubation projects, while Orange will award a €20,000 prize to support the young talents behind these impactful initiatives.

A Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, commended the evolution of the Orange Summer Challenge and the active participation of young innovators. "For 15 years, the Orange Summer Challenge has accompanied thousands of young talents in their entrepreneurial journey. This new edition once again illustrates the capacity of African and Middle Eastern youth to innovate and respond to the societal challenges of our continent. Congratulations to the winners and all participants for their commitment and creativity," Ba stated.

Sarobidy Nombatsitoha, Founder of Plastikoo, expressed his excitement and gratitude upon winning first prize: "A dream come true! When I imagined Plastikoo, I never thought that this project would go so far. We put all our heart into it, gave our best, without really expecting such a result. With so many beautiful projects, this victory is a great source of pride. Congratulations to my team!"

Fostering Digital Inclusion and Innovation

Orange remains committed to promoting technology entrepreneurship and digital inclusion across Africa and the Middle East. Through various training and support programs, Orange aims to enhance youth employment and facilitate the development of startups in the region. The Orange Social Ventures in Middle East and Africa (OSVP) has been instrumental in supporting impact entrepreneurship since 2010, celebrating 55 major winners to date.

The Orange Digital Center program, which will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2025, has provided free training to 1.2 million beneficiaries in the region and has supported hundreds of startups, reinforcing Orange's dedication to fostering innovation and digital empowerment.

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