In the heart of Uganda, a pioneering startup studio calledย Rooticalย is working to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and equitable food system. Founded by Hannes Van den Eeckhout,ย Rooticalย is taking a unique approach to nurturing purpose-driven entrepreneurs and building regenerative agri-food businesses.
Uganda, known as theย “Organic Champion Nation,”ย hasย over 400,000ย certified organic farmers – the highest in Africa and second only to India globally. However, the country is also seeing a rise in the use of synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals, threatening the delicate balance of its natural ecosystems.
Rootical’s mission is to empower entrepreneurs to create commercially viable, scalable, and impactful businesses that can help reverse this trend. Unlike traditional incubators, Rootical operates as a “startup studio,” providing hands-on support from theย ideation stage through to launch and ongoing mentorship.
“Rootical is Uganda’s first regenerative startup studio,” explains Hannes. We bring togetherย talent, ideas, and resourcesย to germinate startups with the power to make a lasting impact in the food system.
In the past year, Rootical hasย trained 40 food system entrepreneurs, withย 37%ย taking on new roles in the agri-food sector andย 50%ย experiencing career advancements. Importantly,ย 86%ย of participants reported implementing changes in their organizations as a result of the regenerative business training.
Looking ahead, Rootical plans to launch its second cohort in Uganda inย October 2024ย and is exploring expansion to other East African countries. The startup studio has already secured overย $1 million in funding and $100,000ย in direct startup capital to support its mission.
“If there’s one thing we are learning, it’s that we’re in the business of talent,” says Hannes. We are striving to become exceptional atย attracting, selecting, and nurturing the right foundersย – those with a mix of drive, entrepreneurial mindset, commitment, and availability.
By investing in purpose-driven entrepreneurs, Rootical aims to catalyze a demand-driven transition to a moreย fair, inclusive, and regenerative food system in Uganda and beyond. As the country looks to harness its natural advantages, initiatives like Rootical could play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable agricultural future.
A Rootical Way Of Building Impactful Agri-Businesses โ Full Story!
