The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (AACCSA), through its Business Innovation Center (BIC), in partnership with WeVenture Hub, the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic (AMSP ČR), and CzechInvest, successfully organized AgriHack 2025, Ethiopia’s first-ever Ethiopian–Czech agricultural innovation hackathon.
Held on October 10-11, 2025, at WeVenture Hub in Addis Ababa, the two-day event brought together more than 60 young innovators, developers, agripreneurs, and students eager to tackle pressing challenges in the agricultural sector through digital and technological solutions.
Innovation for a Smarter Agriculture
AgriHack 2025 provided a fast-paced and collaborative platform for participants to co-create ideas and prototypes addressing real-life challenges in smallholder farming, agricultural market distribution, and agri-fintech and e-commerce. Throughout the hackathon, participants received expert mentorship and guidance from industry specialists to refine their solutions and business models, while also strengthening their teamwork, pitching, and innovation skills.
Announcing the Winners
After two days of intense ideation and pitching sessions, the jury selected four outstanding teams for their creativity, feasibility, and potential impact:
• 1st Place: Team FINCONNECT
• 2nd Place: Team AGRILO
• 3rd Place: Team FUSION VENTURES
• Jury’s Choice Award: Team DORO APP The winning teams received cash prizes totaling 220,000 Birr and Czech expert mentorship opportunities, with an overall prize value exceeding 400,000 Birr. In addition to these awards, participants gained pathways to further develop their ideas through startup incubation and acceleration programs offered by BIC.
Strengthening Ethiopian–Czech Innovation Ties AgriHack 2025 was more than a competition, it was a celebration of bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and the Czech Republic in promoting youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business development. “Your creativity, teamwork, and energy made this event a real success,” said the organizers in a message to participants.
“Even if you didn’t take home an award this time, your ideas have potential, and we look forward to helping you develop them through our startup programs at BIC.” The hackathon reflects AACCSA’s and its Czech partners’ shared commitment to empowering young innovators, strengthening private sector competitiveness, and driving digital transformation in agriculture.
About AgriHack 2025
AgriHack 2025 was conceived as part of AACCSA’s broader effort to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and policymakers. Participants were encouraged to form multidisciplinary teams combining skills in technology, agronomy, business, and design generate impactful solutions that can boost productivity and sustainability in Ethiopia’s agriculture.
AACCSA’s Business Innovation Center (BIC), inaugurated in 2023, continues to serve as a national platform for business incubation, acceleration, and ecosystem development, helping startups and SMEs access knowledge, finance, and markets while fostering collaboration with international partners.
