Sesi Technologies, a Ghanaian agritech startup, came 2nd in the idea category of the GIST Tech-I Competition during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress held in Bahrain.

GIST Tech-I is an annual competition that challenges aspiring science and technology entrepreneurs in 132 emerging economies to pitch their ideas or startups to experts and the general public.

The competition, which is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative has been implemented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science since 2014.

This year, more than 500 innovators from emerging economies worldwide submitted their ideas or startups to GIST Tech-I.

Out of the 24 finalists from 18 countries Sesi Technologies was the only Ghanaian startup to compete for over $30,000 in cash and $200,000 in startup resources.

All 24 finalists received two days of intensive entrepreneurial skills training, mentorship, and the opportunity to network with global leaders in their fields.

As the 2nd place winner in the idea category, Sesi Technologies received $3000 in startup funding and $15,000 in Amazon Web Services Credit to help develop their FarmSense further.

When launched, their project, FarmSense, will help smallholder farmers in Africa increase productivity and yield by up to 50%.

FarmSense uses sensor technology to analyze the soil and make personalize recommendations to farmers to help them make data driven decisions about their farms and eliminate guesswork.

Two other Africans from Kenya and Uganda also won prizes at the GIST TECH-I Competition.

Representing the Ghana government at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress was Mr John Kumah, the CEO of National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), who congratulated the Cofounder of Sesi Technologies, Isaac Sesi on the award.

Sesi Technologies is passionate about transforming agriculture in Africa through technology to help farmers climb out of poverty.

StephanieHorsu/techvoiceafrica.com