On August 13 and 14, 2026, the Top 10 finalists of the Youth in Agroecology Startup Competition 2026 participated in an intensive two-day coaching and mentorship program designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial, technical, business, and communication skills as they prepare for the final stage of the competition.
Day 1 – From Vision to Strategy
The first day opened with a welcome from Dr. Bayush Tsegaye, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Sustainable Food Systems and Agroecology Consortium (ESFSAC). She invited the finalists to introduce themselves, mentioning their start-ups, products and/or services before providing an overview of ESFSAC’s mission, the 13 principles of agroecology, sustainable food systems, and the importance of healthy and indigenous foods.
Following that, Mahder Akalu, Communication Expert and Lead Organizer of the competition, presented the overall objectives of the 2026 competition and highlighted key developments compared with the previous pilot year, including the expanded scope of the competition and increased prize awards.
The morning session continued with Tewodros Beyene, Business and Sustainable Development Consultant, who highlighted the business cycle, problem identification and led a practical training on business analysis, financial assessment, and effective business plan development with exercises. He emphasized the importance of feasibility studies and strategic financial planning in building viable businesses and supporting long term sustainable growth.
The afternoon sessions focused on strengthening the finalists’ business models, refining their pitches, and building their confidence to present their start-ups effectively at the final stage of the competition.
Day 2 – Perfecting the Pitch
The second day focused on building pitching and presentation skills, facilitated by Selam Wondim, Founder of Gomida Solutions (House of Chewata). She guided the finalists through pitch-deck preparation, business model canvas development, and the creation of compelling and coherent start-up stories.
Selam emphasized the importance of understanding market size, allocating resources effectively, developing realistic budgets, and concluding pitches with a clear and compelling call to action.
Following the guided mentoring session, the finalists practiced their pitches and received tailored feedback to strengthen and fine-tune their presentations. The two-day program concluded with participants reflecting on their experiences, key learnings, and insights from the coaching and mentorship sessions.
Moving Forward
From agroecological farming and innovation to healthy and indigenous foods, the Top 10 finalists are bringing fresh energetic force, and entrepreneurial potential to the future of sustainable food systems.
The knowledge and skills gained through the coaching and mentorship program will support the finalists as they move toward the next stage of the competition and in their broader entrepreneurial journeys.
The Youth in Agroecology Startup Competition 2026 is organized by the Ethiopian Sustainable Food Systems and Agroecology Consortium (ESFSAC), with financial support from DKA and the Agroecology Fund, in partnership with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).
