In the ever-evolving world of technology, startups are increasingly adopting open source models to drive solutions to societal problems, especially in underrepresented regions. These open source startups are not only shaping industries but are also creating lasting social impacts. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through its programs, has been playing a crucial role in supporting such startups, helping them scale their solutions and ensure sustainability.
Kiazi Bora, Core 23 Labs, and Wadhwani AI, three incredible open source startups, have harnessed the power of open source technologies to address pressing challenges in agriculture and women's rights, with GIZ and Villgro Africa providing pivotal support.
The Problem: In northern Tanzania, pastoralist communities, especially female farmers, face immense challenges due to prolonged drought and food insecurity. Traditional crops do not fare well in these conditions, leaving communities vulnerable to hunger and economic instability.
The Solution: Their project, Kiazi Bora, focuses on agricultural resilience and has introduced the orange-fleshed sweet potato, a drought-resistant crop that can survive with minimal rainfall. Recognizing that female farmers are the backbone of food production in these communities, Kiazi Bora set out to empower them. They created a voice-enabled mobile app designed for farmers who may not be literate, allowing them to easily access crucial farming information and guidance.
With GIZ’s support, the Kiazi Bora project scaled its operations, helping hundreds of women become more productive farmers. Initially, the app was offered for free, but after receiving mentorship through Villgro Africa, Kiazi Bora explored monetization options. This opened up new avenues for sustainability, enabling them to expand their offerings beyond the initial group of 300 women farmers to the broader agricultural community.
"When you're creating something new, don't try to go it alone. Reach out and connect with others - you'd be surprised how much you can learn and accomplish by joining forces." – Rahma Mkai, Founder and Director
Impact: The results have been remarkable. Farmers using the app have not only improved their farming techniques but have also started small agribusinesses, processing sweet potatoes for wider distribution. What started as a small pilot is now poised to become a self-sustaining venture, all while addressing food security and female empowerment in Tanzania.
The Problem: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), land ownership is predominantly controlled by men, even though women perform much of the agricultural work. This has left many women without land rights, unable to secure a stable income or pass land down to their children.
The Solution: Core 23 Labs developed a voice-enabled mobile application that educates women on their land ownership rights and provides them with the legal tools to secure land. The app, available in Swahili, is designed for rural, often illiterate, women who may not have access to traditional legal resources.
With the backing of GIZ, Core 23 Labs conducted a successful pilot program in several communities, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. Women began advocating for legal marriages to secure their inheritance rights, marking a societal shift towards recognizing women's role in land ownership.
Impact: This app is giving women the confidence and tools they need to challenge traditional gender roles and secure their future. Core 23 Labs is now working on expanding the app's features to meet the growing demand, while GIZ’s support continues to help them navigate the challenges of sustainability and scalability.
The Problem: Smallholder farmers in India face numerous challenges, from pest control to poor market access. Additionally, a lack of reliable data and access to technology limits their ability to improve their agricultural practices and increase their income.
The Solution: Wadhwani AI has focused on leveraging cutting-edge technologies to help farmers increase their income from their work in agriculture.
Through GIZ’s program, Wadhwani AI used computer vision for pest management in cotton production. They developed the CottonAce application, which is powered by AI's computer vision technology that identifies specific pests of cotton crops and provides scientific and contextual advisory for its management to the farmers in a span of just a few seconds, which earlier used to take a few days. Through GIZ's program Wadhwani AI has promoted this application to thousands of farmers across India.
“Two things that changed the way we approached our project was the creation of business metrics and interaction with our mentors. These two exercises have helped us in getting a detailed understanding of the impact of our work on various stakeholders in the value chain and also how it impacted them.” – J.P Tripathi, Director - Agriculture Programs
Impact: Wadhwani AI’s tools are empowering farmers to receive timely information and make informed decisions about their crops. By addressing key gaps in the agricultural value chain, Wadhwani AI is helping to boost farmers' income and create more resilient agricultural communities across India.
The success stories of Kiazi Bora, Core 23 Labs, and Wadhwani AI illustrate the immense potential of open source technology in addressing critical issues like gender equality, food security, and economic empowerment. GIZ, in partnership with organizations like Villgro Africa, has been instrumental in providing the funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities that these open source startups need to thrive.
Through targeted programs, GIZ helps startups refine their business models, explore monetization opportunities, and develop sustainable strategies that ensure long-term impact. The result is a growing ecosystem of innovative solutions that are transforming communities across Africa and Asia.
As these startups continue to grow and evolve, they serve as powerful examples of how technology, when combined with local knowledge and community engagement, can create lasting change. The GIZ program's ongoing support will be crucial in helping these open source startups scale their operations, reach new markets, and ultimately, create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
By fostering an environment where innovation can flourish, GIZ is not only supporting individual startups but also helping to build a global movement for social and economic justice through technology.
Interested in learning more about this topic? Watch this webinar replay on how open source AI is transforming the business landscape and driving innovation across industries.