Joseph Rehmann

At Cereal Soko, we are on a mission to revolutionize nutrition and empower smallholder farmers across Kenya. Our flagship product, TiGWO Uji Power, has already made waves in Nairobi and its environs, garnering massive reception and rave customer reviews. Now, we invite you to be part of this transformative journey as we scale new heights. Why TiGWO Uji Power? TiGWO Uji Power is not your ordinary porridge. It is a nutrient-packed superfood made from a blend of carefully selected ingredients, including oats, cashews, chia, flaxseed, pumpkin (malenge), arrowroot (nduma), and cassava (mihogo). A delightful taste loved by our growing customer base. With the rising demand for nutritious, convenient, and locally sourced products, TiGWO Uji Power is perfectly positioned to capture a significant share of the health food market in Kenya and beyond. Our Achievements So Far 1. Successful Product Activations: We’ve run three highly successful activations in Nairobi, with incredible customer feedback and strong demand. 2. Growing Brand Recognition: TiGWO Uji Power is quickly becoming a household name for those seeking quality and wellness. 3. Empowering Farmers: By sourcing directly from smallholder farmers, we ensure fair prices while supporting local agricultural communities. Why We do This? 1. High Growth Potential: The demand for healthy, locally made products is skyrocketing. 2. Social Impact: Every sale supports smallholder farmers and contributes to community well-being. 3. Strong Foundations: With proven market success and a passionate team, we are ready to scale. Contact us today to learn more about this incredible opportunity. Together, we can turn every spoonful of TiGWO Uji Power into a story of empowerment and impact. Cereal Soko

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One more climate adaptation startup in Africa backed by Catalyst Fund!! 🌍 😊 🌽 Agriculture represents 25% of Tanzania's GDP and employs close to 80% of the workforce. Yet, climate change is considerably impacting the sector. For instance the production of maize is projected decrease by around 10% by 2050 due to the negative effects of climate change. 🌾 As climate impacts intensify, innovative solutions enabling farmers to make smarter, sustainable decisions are urgently needed. The startup MazaoHub Precision Agriculture, meets this need by providing Tanzanian farmers with affordable, real-time soil analytics and tailored recommendations to boost yields and incomes. Extremely proud to share our latest investment with Catalyst Fund into this fantastic team led by Geophrey Tenganamba & Josephat Adelard!! 👷‍♂️ As you may know, when we invest as Catalyst Fund, it's not only a cash investment but also a very hands-on venture building support for several months. Our venture building team led in this case by Ngetha Mwangi, is already at work with the MazaoHub team for several weeks. 👩‍🌾 Looking forward to see this collaboration grow and MazoHub's solution grow way beyond the already 14K farmers benefiting from it. Maelis Carraro Karen Serem Waithaka Akansha Kasera Malika Anand Keeya-Lee Ayre Gabriel Abagalana Lyn Braz, MBA Amolo Ngweno Javier Linares Rasima Swarup Juliet Munro https://lnkd.in/gWzdSAvT

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I read 3 articles this week, which together point towards an interesting use case that I am passionate about. 📊💡 The first from Agfunder talks about the AgTech investment climate in Africa 🌍 (attached), the second from Forbes talks about the need for stable coin business models to evolve 💰, and the final one from Tech Insight talks about a simulation of tokenizing invoices 📄. Why is this confluence interesting? 🤔 From an investment standpoint in 2024, despite Agri-focused FinTech's taking in the lion's share of VC money 🦁💸, accessing finance and integrating reliable payment systems are persistent challenges. Limited access to affordable banking 🏦, high transaction costs 💵, and inconsistent financial infrastructure 📉 restrict these startups from scaling and serving broader markets 🌐. Here’s where stable coins and decentralized finance (DeFi) could be game-changers: 🚀 🌐 Stable coins as a Cost-Effective Payment Solution: Stable coins, especially those pegged to widely recognized currencies like the U.S. dollar 💵 (or 🐕 DODGE!!), could reduce transaction costs significantly (think Stripe acquiring Bridge). As a regular user of stable coins for both transactions and yield staking 📈, the use case for bypassing expensive legacy banking systems, enabling near-instant payments across borders and generating yield is absolutely unparalleled. 🔗 DeFi to Democratize Access to Financing: Similar to ETH staking 🟣, imagine the ease of use where players can stake tokenized invoices and borrow in stable coins. Different risk profiles could have different haircuts ✂️, similar to providing ETH vs. 🦊 FOXY on ZeroLend (and yes, I am slightly Degen!!). 🌍 Creating Resilience with Local Stable coins: Countries could benefit from stable coins pegged to local currencies 💱. This would allow for digital currency solutions that align with national economic policies while providing businesses with an efficient, stable medium of exchange. As highlighted in the Forbes article 📖, stable coins tied to local currencies may prevent the risks associated with dollarization, offering a decentralized and domestically regulated alternative. 💭 My dream is a blockchain-based supply chain ecosystem across the Agri Supply Chain in Africa, leveraging solutions such as farmer ID 📇, geo-fenced land identification and verification 📍, and parametric insurance that cannot be scaled commercially otherwise. Creating tokenized proof of ownership and authentication 🔐, monetized through DeFi with value transfer built on stablecoin rails 🌐💸. If there are builders or VCs specifically interested in the confluence of Tokenization, Blockchain and Crypto in building out such solutions, please reach out, I would love to collaborate. #AgTech #FinTech #Stablecoins #DeFi #Blockchain #AfricaInnovation #AgriSupplyChain #Tokenization #CrossBorderPayments #YieldStakig #VCFunding #ParametricInsurance #Crypto 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gzyf_jDv 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gmnMiNM5

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Growing Maize Seed for Zambia: Success In A Drought through Partnerships These are the BEFORE and AFTER pictures 5 months apart, growing large scale seed maize on our farm of close to 3,000 ha in southern Zambia. Just shy of 100 ha (270 acres) with 100 workers to successfully deliver maize seed to be distributed across Zambia, through retail outlets and to farmers directly, for use by the farming community there. This is in the face of the worst drought in a century in southern Africa, according to a UN official, wiping out 70% of harvests in Zambia and 80% in Zimbabwe. #Holistic's contribution here in Livingstone is what happens when input providers, in our case #CortevaAgriScience partner with farmers like us to provide credit lines. A huge boost to regional food security in a challenging year. There are solutions to addressing food security but these need co-ordinated action with credit and support. Zambia, among others, offers this and succeeds here, even in 2024's challenging conditons; Mozambique, among others, does not and suffers through increased food and employment shortages as a result. If governments are serious about food security within their own borders, it starts at a grass roots level. If any input providers want to work with us in southen Mozambique in the same way on our incredibly fertile large farm there, get in touch. ps The AFTER photo is supposed to look brown, exactly as it does - all ready to harvest! #HolisticAgriculturalInvestmentsGroupLtd #FoodSecurity #Zambia #SustainableAgri #Africa #Agriculture #CortevaAgriScience

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At Cereal Soko, we are on a mission to revolutionize nutrition and empower smallholder farmers across Kenya. Our flagship product, TiGWO Uji Power, has already made waves in Nairobi and its environs, garnering massive reception and rave customer reviews. Now, we invite you to be part of this transformative journey as we scale new heights. Why TiGWO Uji Power? TiGWO Uji Power is not your ordinary porridge. It is a nutrient-packed superfood made from a blend of carefully selected ingredients, including oats, cashews, chia, flaxseed, pumpkin (malenge), arrowroot (nduma), and cassava (mihogo). A delightful taste loved by our growing customer base. With the rising demand for nutritious, convenient, and locally sourced products, TiGWO Uji Power is perfectly positioned to capture a significant share of the health food market in Kenya and beyond. Our Achievements So Far 1. Successful Product Activations: We’ve run three highly successful activations in Nairobi, with incredible customer feedback and strong demand. 2. Growing Brand Recognition: TiGWO Uji Power is quickly becoming a household name for those seeking quality and wellness. 3. Empowering Farmers: By sourcing directly from smallholder farmers, we ensure fair prices while supporting local agricultural communities. Why We do This? 1. High Growth Potential: The demand for healthy, locally made products is skyrocketing. 2. Social Impact: Every sale supports smallholder farmers and contributes to community well-being. 3. Strong Foundations: With proven market success and a passionate team, we are ready to scale. Contact us today to learn more about this incredible opportunity. Together, we can turn every spoonful of TiGWO Uji Power into a story of empowerment and impact. www.cerealsoko.co.ke [email protected] +254 707 296921 Yusto Omondi #TiGWO #UJIPOWER Larry Madowo

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#EmpoweringAgriculture: Farm to Feed and Renew Capital's Strategic Leap in Kenya Farm to Feed has secured funding from Renew Capital to revolutionize Kenya's food system. This partnership aims to reduce food loss, increase farmer incomes, and enhance food accessibility through tech-driven solutions. Strategic Impact and Market Dynamics: 🌱 Farm to Feed's platform optimizes logistics, aggregates supply and demand, and enhances customer interaction, creating new revenue streams for farmers. 🌱 Renew Capital's investment aligns with its strategy of supporting growth-oriented founders with a social impact, catalyzing further investments in agri-tech. 🌱 The enhanced accessibility of nutritious food could shift consumer preferences towards healthier options, influencing market trends. Innovation and Technological Advances: 🚜 Farm to Feed's tech-enabled platform leverages data analytics to optimize logistics, ensuring minimal waste and better market access for farmers. 🚜 Real-time data and insights help farmers improve productivity and reduce environmental impact. 🚜 The platform's user-friendly features promote widespread adoption, setting new standards for supply chain management in agriculture. Investor Insights and Recommendations: 🌍 Emerging Market Potential: Look for opportunities in agri-tech startups addressing inefficiencies and promoting sustainability. 🌍 Sustainability as a Value Driver: Companies prioritizing environmental and social impact are likely to gain a competitive edge. 🌍 Long-term Growth Prospects: Consider the scalability of such platforms and their potential to transform entire industries. The Farm to Feed and Renew Capital partnership sets a new benchmark for sustainable agricultural development in Kenya. Investors who recognize the value of such innovations will be well-positioned to capitalize on this transformative shift. Join us at Market Unwinded, where we don't just track trends - we anticipate the future. Read More: https://lnkd.in/g6xj3BNM #FarmToFeed #RenewCapital #AgriTech #SustainableAgriculture #MarketUnwinded #InvestmentTrends #FoodSecurity #KenyaAgriculture

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This was both an insightful and exciting article on sustainable agriculture and green jobs! 🌱💼 In our pursuit of #greenjobs and #sustainableagriculture, the key lies in boosting productivity while leveraging renewable energy. It’s clear that relying solely on imported inputs isn’t a sustainable solution. We possess abundant resources right here on our continent, and the time has come to utilize them effectively...with investments like these, it can be done! To my fellow practitioners in finance, renewable energy and thought leadership, let’s discuss how we can turn potential into action and get the impact on our agriculture landscape. #Agriculture #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation

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🇺🇬 Call for all Seed Experts in Uganda 🇺🇬 With Eden Seeds, Rootical is co-founding a farmer-owned, decentralised indigenous seed company. Luwemba Emmanuel, Isaac Muhofa and I are looking to talk to Uganda's most renowned technical and legal seed experts. 🌾 Indigenous seeds: we position local heirloom seeds as a viable, more adapted and performant alternative next to hybrid, imported varieties. 🌱 Decentralised: we source Eden seeds from seed producers affiliated to community seed banks and supply them directly to agro-input shops in the area. 👩🏾‍🌾 Farmer-owned: Emma is a farmer himself, and wants to gradually transfer ownership and decision making power to the seed producers that are the heart of Eden Seeds already. While we want to comply with all legal frameworks, our model is also set to re-invent how seed is produced and commercialised in Uganda. Our main questions: How do we fit into all regulations and legal frameworks? Without loosing our innovative set-up and simply becoming another centralised seed company? What is the best road to certification? And how do we circumvent the apparent need for centralisation? ➡ ➡ If you know the answer or think you can help, please reach out! By the way, Rootical is recruiting a new Cohort of Future Founders, apply now via our website: rootical dot org.

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✨The Non Digital Economy - Africa🌹Part 2🔥 Continued/2 ...However On The Other Hand, That Argument Would Carry Better Weight If We Could Demonstrate That Agricultural Efficiency Only Ended At Improved Productivity & Better Yields. Improved Productivity For Smallholder Farmers May Not Be Economically Sound If They Can Only Sell Locally Because They're Limited In Market Access. Similarly Agricultural Improvements At A National Level Will Be Limited In Impact If Excess Yield Has Little To No Access To Markets Because Roads Are Poor & Seaports Are Inefficient. Agricultural Input Includes Offtake Capacity, Quality Management, Logistics, Processing & Retail Value. All Of This Requires Different Forms Of Infrastructure To Be Efficient & Cost-Effective. There Are No Easy Answers! There’s Really Nothing More To Add To The Well-Established Conversation That We Cannot "Start-Up" Or Digitize Our Way Out Of This Other Than To Say That There Is An Unyielding Limit Beyond Which The Infrastructure Needs Of The Continent Cannot Be Leapfrogged. Conrad Miyingo Kezimbira Board Chairman ArielEnergy_

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Facing the Unknown: The Entrepreneur's Edge "Ukubalekela into ongayazi, noma ongayiqondi. Kuwukubalekela ithuba lokuyiqonda futhi uyazi kangcono kunabanye." – Andile Mbhele, 08 Oct 2024 As #entrepreneurs, the unknown is not something to fear—it’s the arena where we *learn* faster and *outgrow* the competition. If we shy away from uncertainty, we’re not just missing a challenge, but also an #opportunity to #master the skills that others hesitate to confront. The more we #embrace what we don’t know, the more we sharpen our edge. Like the greats, always encourage: "Outlearn your competitors, so you can out-earn them." For me, this resonates deeply, because my journey as a #zulupreneur is about embracing the #inevitable challenges ahead. Every obstacle is a #chance to rise #higher, and there is no #turning #back. Microsoft Microsoft for Startups BhongoNations Mthokozisi Penwell Khumbane FNB South Africa SmartXchange Sekelo Shude Startupschool.koeln VC4A Equidam Microsoft Azure Just Vendors Enterprises (Pty) Ltd. Y Combinator Sekelo Shude #Leadership #Innovation #YC #StartupLife #GrowthMindset #Zulupreneurship #EntrepreneurJourney #OvercomingChallenges

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A big thank-you to ICLEI for including me as a panelist in your #RISEAfrica 2024 Action Festival last week. Being intentional about promoting, designing, implementing and sustaining #CircularEconomy cities is critical. I wore the hat of the #Insect enthusiast of course... But firstly... I truly believe that we need to rethink that concept of what "waste" is and when something actually becomes "waste". If you can create value from that waste, is it truly waste or just an input to a new process? And if there is a potential value, how do we place this waste (I say input) in the hands of those that can realise that value? When it comes to cities and their significant challenges with organic waste management, #blacksoldierfly are an obvious solution. Diverting organic waste from landfill and into the mouth of insects as a feedstock is a winning solution - I do not believe that anyone will disagree with this? AND... It is critical that there is advocacy around #InsectsAsFeed so that supportive legislation can become commonplace on our continent. This is definitely a work in progress as the applications of insects (the nexus of waste management and sustainable protein) unfolds. These are important conversations that need to be happening. AND... I think that the value of waste can and should be more nuanced and this is where #innovators and #entrepreneurs are critical by seeing opportunity where others have not. How can these pioneers be better supported? AND... It is critical that sustainable, circular economy products are available to consumers so that the responsibility of sustainable choices can start moving into households, with individuals being faced with making easy decisions to move our agenda forward. This is what we are doing at Loop Pet Food by seeing immense opportunity in using "waste" to create high value, high nutrient pet food through the incorporation of wonky/rescued/ugly vegetables and craft brewery spent grains (a new product under development). This is in addition to our use of our beautiful insects (#BSF). I loved fellow panelist Gift Lubele's passion for the power of data to drive positive change through empowering decision makers. Something that I have inherently known but definitely underestimated and seeing (and hearing) it in action was epic and made it all seem so obvious- see Kudoti to learn more. I do not believe that there is a silver bullet to solving some of our continents climate challenges but I think that there are so many superstars walking their journeys... So here is hoping that we can have more of these events to bring more of these thinkers together.

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At #LizardEarth, my team and I work with 2,769 cocoa farmers in Eastern #SierraLeone on improving yields and the quality of their #cocoa. Over the past five years, we have been striving to develop a value proposition which resonates best with our farmers. Every season, we make a few tweaks in search of the perfect formula. Today, #Acumen and #60Decibels released a report highlighting the impact of social enterprise interventions on the drivers of income for smallholder farmers and MSMEs. Among the four key learnings is this: More satisfied farmers generate higher revenues and invest more in their cocoa gardens than those perceiving gaps in the value proposition of their trading partner. I am very excited that Lizard Earth has been able to make a difference in the lives of our farmers. Thanks to Acumen and 60 Decibels for putting this together! Dive into the report for more insights on how companies can have a greater impact on farmer (and customer) livelihoods. -> Drivers of Income: https://lnkd.in/dnbHe5pZ

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🤝#Partnerships are very key in #business. As the vice president of strategic partnerships at Yiieldy, I'm open to discussing partnerships. Yiieldy exists because we understand the assignment and that is to help poultry farmers across #Africa increase productivity and reduce feed costs by leveraging AI-powered #technology. I'm open to discussing partnerships in this direction; ✔️ Technology integration partnerships ✔️ Training & Capacity Building ✔️ Financial Support/ Impact Investments I'll have you know that our smallholder farmers are major contributors in the agriculture industry and if we must transform the agriculture sector, we have to support our farmers. Let's discuss this in detail. [email protected] #Partnerships #Africa #Agritech #SustainableFarming UpLink - World Economic Forum | Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) | African Guarantee Fund | African Development Bank Group | African Union | Mastercard Foundation Let's Talk Agriculture - Public Relations

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My recent post has sparked a wave of resonance across so many circles, revealing just how deeply invested we all are in Africa’s economic future. The feedback I received can be grouped into three categories, and I want to address each of them. 1. To the President, 2 former Presidents, government advisors, and ministers who reached out to express your shared frustration—thank you. Your willingness to engage with me, your humility in admitting the flawed FDI approach Africa continues to make without attempting to justify them, and your encouragement for me to continue being a voice of disruption has given me immense hope. I hold deep respect for your openness, and I firmly believe that together, we can reshape the way we attract investment to our continent. Thank you for giving me the strength to keep pushing forward. 2. To the business leaders—CEOs, board chairmen, founders, and entrepreneurs—your responses were an eye-opener. It’s startling how many of you have felt silenced by the fear of repercussions from speaking out. I understand your caution; a single instructive call to a regulatory agency can wreak havoc on everything you’ve built. But to those of you who have now found your voice and an ally in me—thank you for your trust. We can no longer afford to sit quietly on the sidelines. Let’s not just speak up; let’s engage with those in power, present our ideas, and leverage our networks to bring about the changes Africa desperately needs. 3. And then, to the youth—my favorite group—you, the disruptors, the unyielding force, I feel your frustration. To those of you who want to leave the continent, I won’t discourage you. Go. Learn. Equip yourselves with knowledge and resources. But come back. Africa needs you. For those who are determined to stay—your resilience is awe-inspiring. You are the heartbeat of this movement, and your belief in the potential of our continent is everything. Know this: there are many of us in positions of influence who are ready and willing to walk this journey with you. Africa’s economic potential is unparalleled, and I urge you—don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. You see the mistakes of our leaders clearly. Be the generation that corrects them. Interrogate policies. Be bold. Get involved. Speak up. Your collective voice will shake the foundations of this continent and inspire the change we all crave. Africa will rise when we, as a people, are humble enough to admit our faults and bold enough to correct them—without delay. #thenewAfrica #newthinking #hope

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Our team put together a comprehensive insight into strategies for raising capital to support agribusiness aspirations. We look at various factors that improve the odds of successful fundraising and our outlook on financing the agrifood industry. Download a copy below. https://lnkd.in/dn-BWehH #Agribusiness #Agrifinance #Agripreneur #ImpactInvesting

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