The Crescent Enterprise, in collaboration with MIT Solve, has announced Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu and three others Crescent Enterprise Climate Innovation Prizes to scale up more innovations and impactful climate action solutions around the world.
The winners were announced at the COP28 Business Philanthropy Climate Forum, where the entrepreneurs showcased their solutions and received US$200,000 of non-dilutive funding from Crescent Enterprises.
Over 45 startups from within the MIT Solve climate portfolio applied to the Crescent Enterprises Climate Innovation Prize, and following a collaborative review and qualification process, four global entrepreneurs were selected as winners of the Crescent Enterprises Climate Innovation Prize’ for their innovative solutions.
Tushar Singhvi, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments, Crescent Enterprises, speaking on the prize, said: "We are proud to partner with MIT Solve on the Crescent Enterprises Climate Innovation Prize, which recognizes the impactful solutions developed by inspiring entrepreneurs from around the world. As an organization, we have long been committed to sustainable development, women's empowerment, and supporting global technological innovation. The Crescent Enterprises Climate Innovation Prize is an embodiment of these principles.”
Executive Director, MIT Solve,Hala Hanna, stressed: "We are thrilled to be working with Crescent Enterprises for the prestigious Crescent Enterprises Climate Innovation Prize. This collaboration underscores both our shared commitment to fostering global entrepreneurship and driving impactful solutions towards a sustainable future. By honoring visionary entrepreneurs from the USA, Nepal, Nigeria, and Thailand, the Prize amplifies their innovative contributions in tackling climate challenges, inspiring change, and paving the way for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world.".
Nnaemeka Ikgwuonu, while addressing the press in Nigeria, opined that providing innovations that address food spoilage in Africa is like a ministerial call that he is mandated to achieve. “Smallholder farmers put in their capital, human efforts, and resources to provide food for the population, of which 40% goes to waste and exacerbates the climate change crisis with its significant greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Adding that reducing and preventing food waste can increase food security, foster productivity and economic efficiency, promote resource and energy conservation, and address climate change, which in turn could also decrease climate change-related shocks to the supply chain",.
Other recipients of the ‘Crescent Enterprises Climate Innovation Prize’ were:
Rumee Singh, co-founder of Rumsan: Based in Nepal, Rumsan has developed ‘Rahat’, a blockchain-powered financial access platform for the unbanked and underbanked to build resilience against the impact of climate shocks.
Patipat Susumpao, Managing Director, OpenDream: Based in Thailand, OpenDream has a solution named One Health Toolkit (OHTK), which is a software and eLearning series that trains farmers in identifying diseases sooner and allows for a faster response to early outbreaks in backyard farming.
Alexia Akbay, CEO and Founder, Symbrosia: Based in the USA, Symbrosia has a product named SeaGrazeTM, which reduces the carbon footprint by reducing methane output by ~85% and improves the productivity of ruminant livestock agriculture.