A biobased innovation bootcamp in East Africa is helping researchers turn agricultural ideas into investment-ready businesses, with several projects focused on improving livestock feed, feed safety and animal productivity.
The Biobased Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp brings together participants from universities and research organizations across the BioInnovate Africa network. The program combines practical workshops, mentorship, field visits and investor preparation to help researchers commercialize biobased technologies. Participants receive guidance from experts in funding, intellectual property, policy and enterprise development before presenting their projects during a final pitch event to investors and industry stakeholders.
Among the innovations presented, several targeted challenges facing the animal feed industry.
One project, Vol-Binder Plus from Tanzania, is a natural feed additive made from volcanic clay and plant-based organic ash that is designed to reduce the effects of mycotoxins in cereal-based livestock feeds. The product is intended to help smallholder livestock producers improve animal productivity while reducing losses associated with contaminated feed.
Another livestock-focused innovation, KALPRO from Kenya, is a probiotic feed supplement developed to improve gut health, strengthen immunity and increase feed efficiency in livestock and poultry. The supplement is also designed to reduce antibiotic use while supporting higher meat, milk and egg production.
Researchers also presented FunzaBoost, a substrate conditioner that converts salty sisal waste into a more suitable growing medium for Black Soldier Fly production. By reducing salinity and improving nutrient availability, the technology supports production of nutrient-rich insect larvae that can serve as an alternative protein ingredient for animal feed while creating value from agricultural waste.
Several additional projects focused on improving crop production through biobased fertilizers, including products developed to enhance phosphorus availability and soybean nitrogen fixation. While aimed at crop production, these technologies could support feed ingredient production by improving yields of crops such as soybeans that are widely used in livestock rations.
The bootcamp is organized to strengthen collaboration among academia, industry and policymakers while helping researchers develop commercially viable biobased products. Participants are selected through a competitive process from the BioInnovate Africa network of universities and research institutions across East Africa.
The program concludes with a pitch event where participants present their ventures to potential investors, funders and industry experts, providing an opportunity to accelerate commercialization of innovations that support agriculture, food production and the regional bioeconomy.
Source: BioInnovate Africa, "BIOBASED INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOTCAMP"