The Egypt-based Athar Accelerator has marked the graduation of the fifth cohort of its Climate Action Accelerator Programme, with DFC, a startup that aims to develop solar-powered mobile charging stations for electric vehicles, winning a prize of EGP150,000 (US$3,000).
Funded by the Embassy of Finland in Cairo and Hivos, and in partnership with Creativa Innovation Hubs in Upper Egypt, Athar Climate Action Accelerator programme supports startups focused on addressing critical environmental challenges.
The fifth edition of the programme culminated with a demo day held in Minya, Upper Egypt, earlier this month, where 10 startups from Upper Egypt presented their solutions, addressing vital sectors such as eco-friendly biopesticides, renewable energy, organic fertilisers and sustainable furniture.
The winning startup was DFC, which is developing solar-powered mobile charging stations for electric vehicles, which took home EGP150,000 (US$3,000) in prize money. Other well-performing participants included Fertical, which is utilising beneficial microbes to produce eco-friendly biopesticides and biofertilisers, and Vermi Valley, which is turning livestock and plant waste into nutrient-rich compost.
In addition to the startup pitches, the event also featured the launch of the Green Manifesto, a declaration of principles and dedication to supporting overlooked founders in green sectors across Upper Egypt and other underserved regions. The manifesto emphasises the need to empower local entrepreneurs, recognise the diversity of startups, and build sustainable communities that foster long-term growth and innovation.
“These founders are not only creating solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges but are also laying the groundwork for sustainable economic development in Egypt and the wider region. Their success is a testament to the growing importance of climate action in the startup ecosystem,” said Shoaib Elqady, CEO of Athar Accelerator.
“We’ve seen a diversity of startups, ranging from those with high growth potential to small and medium enterprises. It is essential to continue supporting these businesses while recognising their differences as they reach their next milestones. Not all startups are suitable for venture capital funding, but we need to introduce new funding models that can cater to their unique needs, ensuring they thrive long-term.”
