Fifteen global green startups will pitch at COP27 as part of the government’s ClimaTech competition — but who are they? The International Cooperation Ministry has selected its 15-strong shortlist from the 422 startups that applied to the ClimaTech Run competition. The chosen firms will pitch their businesses to a judging panel composed of top UN officials as well as representatives of Afreximbank, Microsoft, and Google during the climate summit’s Youth Day, the ministry said yesterday. The startups present sustainable solutions in sectors including energy, agriculture, food security, transport, and urban development. Together they operate across 46 countries, with eight firms based on the African continent.

One of our own made the cut: Local agri-fintech startup Mozare3 is among the chosen firms.

The other 14 startups are:

• BeeSage, a European startup which uses tech to increase the productivity of beehives;
• Cameroonian recycling and waste management firm BleagLee;
• Food security and agriculture startup Earthly;
• HelioRec, which builds floating solar plants;
• Indian waste management startup Infinite Cercle Private;
• Agritech startup Koltiva;
• Cold storage solutions company Koolboks;
• Waterless sanitation firm LiquidGold;
• Emirati waste management company Nadeera;
• Solar agritech firm Ng’wala Inventions;
• Ryp Labs, which makes compounds that extend the shelf life of fresh produce;
• Sustainable industrial firm Seppure;
• Real estate analytics firm Skenariolabs;
• ThinkBikes, a Nigerian bike-sharing platform.

What’s in it for them: The startups will be competing for USD 100k in funding for the top finisher, with the number-two company taking home USD 50k and a third USD 25k. The eight African startups also have a shot at a USD 50k award and a runner-up USD 25k award. Their participation in COP will also give them the chance to exchange expertise and gain support for expansion, International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat said.