Joule's Kenyan startups in Italy for an Innovation Trip

The development of agricultural supply chains and the generation of positive economic and social impact in the African region remain key targets for Joule. Four months after the “Seeds for Sustainable Energy” Bootcamp, which took place in Nairobi, four Kenyan startups (Farmer Lifeline Technologies, Proteen, FarmIT Enterprises and Korogocho Market Food Waste) were invited to Italy for an Innovation trip. During the week, which was spent in Milan, Novara and Turin, the startups made contact with some of the leading tech companies and had the chance to present their business projects at Italian Tech Week.

The innovation trip, organised by Joule in Italy, is a further step in supporting the startups selected during the Nairobi Bootcamp:   

• FarmerLifeLine Technologies which focuses on crop health through early detection of pests and diseases.
• Farm IT Enterprises provides digital services to farmers to improve their livelihoods.
• Koch Food Waste Management Champions collects waste and transforms it into various products, including compost and fertiliser, briquettes and oil.
• Proteen breeds soldier fly larvae by feeding them on municipal organic waste, which is then turned into fertiliser.

A visit to Eni’s laboratories

During their stay in Italy, the Kenyan startups had the opportunity to visit Eni’s laboratories in Bolgiano and Novara. This was a chance to strengthen their scientific and technological research and development.

The research centre in San Donato Milanese opened in 1985, in the neighbourhood of Bolgiano, integrating the old facilities of Metanopoli into an innovative complex equipped with cutting-edge scientific instruments. The facilities spread over 34,000 m2 and employ 290 employees, among them researchers, technicians and staff. The research projects cover all aspects of upstream and downstream, with the common target of reducing risks, improving technological know-how and achieving better quality, efficiency and sustainability in processes, plants and products. The technical and scientific skills in these laboratories are all multidisciplinary and integrated, and range from geoscience to engineering, chemistry to material science.

While the research centre in Novara is fully dedicated to renewable energies, new energies and materials science. The structure is linked to a cutting-edge industrial district, allowing us to take advantage of valuable synergies in both research and production. Using our skills in various fields, we are developing technology ranging from latest-generation solar to biofuel, storage of surplus electricity and thermal energy to electrical production from waves, all the way to qualitative and quantitative assessments of potential pollutants in ground water. 

Half a day was spent visiting I3P, the Polytechnic University of Turin Incubator that supports the creation and development of innovative high-tech startups with high growth potential. The meeting was an opportunity for the startups to connect with mentors and industry experts and receive feedback on their business projects.

In Turin, the African startups were active participants in Italian Tech Week. A real focal point for talking about innovation, the future and new trends.

As part of the event, Mattia Voltaggio, Head of Joule, had the chance to talk about the “Seeds for Sustainable Energy” project. Afterwards, in front of an audience of Italian and international experts and innovators, the Kenyan startups themselves gave detailed presentations of their business projects.