AgriStars
Modeled after SharkTank, is a competition for youth to pitch their agribusiness idea to an expert panel and win an opportunity for a cash prize and mentorship. Co-designers of AgriStars—UCD Prof. James Carey and A4A Dr. V. Eyango--partnered with MINADER, MINEPIA Nkongsamba Principal Prison, and Eyango Food to launch a call of applications for the first edition of AgriStars which was launched in the Moungo Division of Cameroon in February 2022 during National Youth Week.
The criteria—AgriStars was open to all youth (18-35 ) living in the Moungo including A4A certified incarcerated youth, no formal educational background was necessary but experience in agriculture was required, and it was open to both group and individual submissions.
Out of over 90 proposals submitted, 26 semifinalists were invited for a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in pitch readiness training opportunity led by YALI alumni Dr. Michelle Carole and Jean Paul Afubom along with Kamala Eyango, CEO Eyango Food. Supported by the UCLA IOES Senior Practicum students, the three trainers used US-learned entrepreneurial training and pitching techniques to prepare participants for the semifinals.
On April 1, a 5-person panel judged 26 semifinalist pitches and chose 10 finalists. The judging panel was composed of independent experts Jean Paul Afubom, Dr. Michelle Carole and Mallet Besong from Local Youth Corner, and representatives from A4A, MINADER, and MINEPIA.
On April 6, ten finalists pitch to a panel: in addition to semifinalist judges, Jean Paul, Michelle Carole and Mallet Besong the high-level finals panel included UC Davis Distinguished Professor James Carey; Nkongsamba Prison Director, Terrence Sama; Delegate of MINEPIA Moungo Division, Dr. Felix Ebwekoh; and CEO of Group Eyango, Prince Eyango.
6 winners were chosen, given their first traunche of funding, and the stopwatch began clicking as the AgriStars winners started the 6-month countdown to demonstrate success.
7 secs: Interview with someone who saw the difference from when they started to now (Reg Sama or Jean Paul who was with the group at the outset—through to the finish)
7 secs: Interview with a loser—what they learned from the competition. (eg Elvine or Bertrand with the IDP submission)
discover our PARTNERS
