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Rabat – Moroccan BMTA&C agro-food startup and Deepecho medical technology startup are both in the running to claim Forbes and Aviram Foundation’s awards for the most impactful startup in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Sara Benlafqih, co-founder and CEO of tech-focused startup BMTA&C is on the list of the semifinal candidates competing for Forbes’ Aviram Awards-Tech for Humanity competition.
Operating in the agro-food sector, BMTA&C invented a storage unit to help farmers extend the crops’ shelf-life from two days to 20 days, helping farmers salvage up to one-third of their harvest.
Sara Benlafqih, a master’s degree holder in industry and management engineering, first got the idea for the cold storage unit after they discovered that farmers lose one-third of their harvest annually due to a lack of access to storage.
The solar-powered storage unit can store up to six tonnes of fruits and vegetables, without using any cooling fluids that could negatively impact the environment.
The BMTA&C startup is part of Morocco’s School of Industrial Management (EMINES).
Youssef Bouyakhf, a master’s degree holder in business and engineering, is also cofounder and CEO of startup Depecho is the second Moroccan on the list of the 14 candidates for the Forbes prize.
Bouyakhf’s startup aims to address infant mortality through cutting-edge technology. By collaborating with a team of experts, Deepecho developed a deep-learning software that provides an accurate diagnosis of fetal development.
Founded in 2020, Deepecho is offering next-generation potentially life-saving ultrasound technology.
The Forbes contest aims to shed light on entrepreneurs developing technology-backed solutions to address contemporary social and environmental solutions.
Launched in December 2021, the Aviram Awards-Tech for Humanity competition is dedicated to promising businesses in the Middle East and North Africa bringing social and environmental impact.
After opening the window for applications in the autumn of 2021, Forbes and the Aviram Foundation, co-founder of the competition, received hundreds of applications from Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
After the selection of semifinalists in January, contestants will now undergo another phase. Forbes highlighted that only five startups will head to the final event this spring in Dubai where they will present their ideas to judges and business leaders from around the world.
The winner will claim the title of the most impactful startup and a cash award of $500,000. Startups finishing second and third will also receive a cash prize of $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.
