Four Mastercard Foundation Scholars have received Special Recognition Awards after pitching their ventures to a panel of judges for seed funding at last month’s Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) 2.0 Pitch Day.
Congratulations to Abubakar Abass, Munotidaishe Andrew Matsvairo, Purity Gakii Kirea and Samuel Tekle Mengistu!
The awards, announced at the scholars’ summer garden party in the grounds of Magdalene College on Saturday, signify that the judges deem the ventures ready to take their next steps.
Each will now receive seed funding and further support and mentorship as they move closer to market-readiness.
Abubakar's venture, A&A Cashew Bioethanol, is converting wasted cashew apples into pharmaceutical and industrial‑grade ethanol in Ghana, cutting emissions and supplying local markets through a scalable circular‑economy model.
"At the beginning I just had a theory I had to stress test. Now with this seed funding and the lab results I have, I can now move from the lab to testing in the real world and implement the technology that I’ve designed."
Purity co-founded ColdCure Kenya with Tasha Mapenzi to slash fish spoilage in coastal Kenya. Their solar powered pay-per-use cold storage service will help recover the fuel and labour resources embedded in every catch, while easing pressure on Kenya's stressed coastal fish stocks.
"This is a thrilling moment. When I started this journey back at the Social Ventures Residential, I just had an idea. Through the training during the year, I was able to build my plan, strengthen my pitching skills and ultimately receive this recognition. I can’t wait to get started."
Samuel Tekle Mengistu’s SolCradle is developing a solar-powered neonatal thermoregulation system for off-grid health facilities across Africa, helping reduce preventable deaths from neonatal hypothermia and hyperthermia.
"This recognition has truly ignited my 'can-do' spirit in entrepreneurship. It reinforced my belief that there are no crazy ideas per se – only a lack of understanding of what it means to simply try! I am leaving this experience more driven than ever to make an impact on our future: our newborns."
Munotidaishe’s venture, AeroSense, is developing a simple digital reporting platform to give drivers clear, easy to understand insights into their emissions, fuel waste and any maintenance required. Muno plans to use the seed funding to kick-start a pilot with partner garages in Zimbabwe, checking market demand and refining his prototype.
"Getting that positive reinforcement and affirmation gives me the confidence go on and pick up from where I’ve left off. The funding will go a long way in supporting the goals and ideas we have as we implement a working prototype."
The four ventures were among 11 that took part in the Pitch Day on 9 June; the culmination of this year’s SEF 2.0 entrepreneurship and venture development programme. The year-long programme supports young climate entrepreneurs through a structured venture development journey, beginning with the three-day Social Ventures Residential, delivered in collaboration with King’s College Entrepreneurship Lab, in January.
Relive the day - watch the recap video now
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Congratulations to all SEF 2026 finalists
The high standard of entries means that all finalists are eligible to access seed funding following further development support from the programme's Entrepreneurship and Social Ventures team:
- Olubusolami Sogunle and Damilola Oyeyemi - FarmTide
- Rhoda Adjoa Nyarko, Desmond Agyei and Rosemond Konadu - Okuafo Adanfo
- Fiona Nwokeji, Gideon Darko and Flourish Erhijakpor - MushAfrik
- Faith Okedoyin and Yusuf Olowode – RootEd
- Enita Ese Okonkwo – Engine Room
- Samson Oluwatosin Adewoye – Greenblock Africa
- Mendos Fidelis – Solartricity
