Startup Lagos

10-Mar-2025

Fresh News

Halcyon Partners with AWS to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa 3 months ago

Halcyon, a platform dedicated to empowering social entrepreneurs, has officially announced its collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) to address food insecurity in Africa. This partnership underscores their mutual commitment to driving transformative change on the continent through innovation in agricultural technology.

As part of this initiative, Halcyon has selected ten visionary African startup founders who are working to develop impactful solutions to some of the region's most pressing food security challenges. The collaboration will launch the Climate Resilience and Food Security in Africa Fellowship program, starting with a one-week in-person residency in Nairobi, Kenya. Following this initial residency, participants will engage in several months of virtual programming, culminating in a second immersive in-person experience for this cohort.

The Fellowship will focus on technology-driven solutions aimed at enhancing climate resilience and food security across Africa. Areas of innovation will include climate-smart agriculture, advanced food systems, water technology, the sustainable use of ocean resources (blue economy), renewable energy, green building, and climate data analytics.

Participants in the program will receive extensive training in investment readiness, achieving product-market fit, and leadership development. Additionally, they will gain access to technical support and credits from AWS, as well as connections to a network of climate-focused early-stage investors and mentors.

By concentrating on AgTech ventures, Halcyon and AWS are fostering a new wave of African startups that are committed to improving nutrition, increasing agricultural yields, creating innovative agricultural finance solutions, deploying smart climate adaptation strategies, and enhancing the trade and delivery of food to vulnerable communities.

"Through AWS's cloud technology, Halcyon is empowering entrepreneurs to turn their bold ideas into impactful solutions that will drive lasting change across Africa," stated Carolyn Vigil, Social Responsibility Impact Leader at AWS. She expressed particular enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting its focus on Africa's unique challenges and opportunities. "Together, we're nurturing the next generation of innovators who are tackling the intersection of agriculture, health, and resilience, paving the way for a more sustainable future for vulnerable communities across the continent."

Halcyon aims to expand its successful programs and identify even more talented founders throughout Africa who are dedicated to sustainable change. These startups will benefit from Halcyon's robust support infrastructure, which includes mentorship, access to AWS's world-class cloud services, and connections to a global network of investors, industry leaders, and policymakers.

"We deeply value AWS's support in working with us to strategically strengthen organizational capacity and scale impactful AgTech businesses across Africa," commented Mercy Erhiawarien, Senior Manager of Intensives at Halcyon. "Halcyon has been supporting founders on the continent for nearly a decade. Africa faces pressing issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and health disparities. These challenges require resilient and innovative solutions, which is where local founders play a crucial role."

She continued, "This collaboration is vital for empowering local founders who are developing solutions to tackle food insecurity, promote resilience, and advance health equity. Together, we're building a future of innovation that will transform Africa's agricultural landscape for generations to come."

With funding from AWS, Halcyon's 2025 program is set to identify and scale the most promising AgTech ventures across Africa. These businesses will be instrumental in enhancing food security, improving health outcomes, and fostering resilience across the continent. Halcyon remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate transformative change in Africa and is eager to continue its work with AWS to bring these innovative solutions to life.

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