elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization

Operator of a food and beverage company intended to accommodate and provide space for micro and small businesses with bigger market during the Covid-19. The company offers pulses, rice bowls, and various other snack food and beverage services, enabling consumers to get food via a network of home cooks rather than restaurants.

Rutopia is a social enterprise that connects travelers with rural communities to gain authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences. They assist protectors in generating sustainable income through regenerative tourism. They provide tourism and adventure activities in idyllic locations, from multi-day treks to quiet walks along beaches, forests, deserts, and jungles. They also help travelers learn about ancestral and traditional techniques from various cultures, such as wood carving, artisanal fishing, and making jewelry.

Oorja Development Solutions aims to provide clean energy access to 450 million un/underelectrified people in rural Indian communities. It deploy smart micro-grids powered by biomass gasification and solar PV systems to generate, store and transmit reliable and affordable electricity to SMEs as anchor load and low-income households. It uses a scalable community-owned business model to leverage energy provision as a catalyst for socio-economic development to alleviate poverty, empower women and tackle climate change.

Elucid Social is a health technology company focused on advancing human rights within global supply chains. The company utilizes a data-driven approach to develop and implement technologies that assess, report, and mitigate human rights risks associated with the sourcing of goods and services. By creating tailor-made digital health ecosystems, Elucid Social enables businesses to improve the health and livelihoods of producers within their supply chains. This integration of social good with business practices aims to yield measurable results and promote ethical sourcing in various industries.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Pricepally is a digital food cooperative that connects consumers directly with local farmers and wholesalers, focusing on making fresh, high-quality food more affordable and accessible in African cities. By facilitating bulk purchases, Pricepally allows individuals and businesses to buy and share food items, ensuring they receive products that are cheaper and fresher than traditional retail options. The platform harnesses collective buying power to provide significant value for money, promoting a more sustainable food supply chain while supporting local agriculture.

Elucid Social is a health technology company focused on advancing human rights within global supply chains. The company utilizes a data-driven approach to develop and implement technologies that assess, report, and mitigate human rights risks associated with the sourcing of goods and services. By creating tailor-made digital health ecosystems, Elucid Social enables businesses to improve the health and livelihoods of producers within their supply chains. This integration of social good with business practices aims to yield measurable results and promote ethical sourcing in various industries.

BluLever Education focuses on creating a collaborative ecosystem for artisans, offering vocational education and skills training tailored to their needs. By providing a platform for artisan education, the company aims to enhance the capabilities of craftsmen at all stages of their careers. It delivers innovative and demand-led training programs that address the shortcomings in existing artisan ecosystems. This approach not only equips apprentices with essential skills but also fosters their growth and success, allowing them to thrive and contribute effectively to their industries.

Yebo Fresh is an online grocery shopping service based in Cape Town, South Africa, that focuses on delivering quality groceries to areas typically underserved by conventional retailers. The platform offers a wide range of products, including meat, poultry, fish, dairy, dry groceries, drinks, frozen foods, fruits, vegetables, toiletries, and household items. By leveraging strategic partnerships with manufacturers, Yebo Fresh is able to provide top-quality products and popular brands at competitive prices. The company serves communities such as Imizamo Yethu, Langa, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, and Gugulethu, and is in a phase of rapid expansion throughout the greater Cape Town area following recent seed funding.

Virohan is an EdTech platform focused on providing training for the healthcare industry, established in 2018. It aims to address the disconnect between traditional higher education and industry needs through a demand-led, technology-driven approach. The platform offers standardized, quality learning outcomes via gamified blended learning, which incorporates classroom instruction and long internships at hospitals for practical experience. Virohan operates under a fee-based model and facilitates access to education by providing financial support options that allow students to pay back fees after securing employment. With a market size of approximately $7.5 billion in India, Virohan has trained over 3,000 youth, achieving a job placement rate of over 94%. The company has experienced significant growth, operating in 20 cities and partnering with more than 750 employers. Virohan is supported by various investors and participates in accelerator programs such as Google for Startups and AWS EdStart, enhancing its capacity to connect trained professionals with job opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Ignitia AB is a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, that specializes in producing high-resolution weather forecasts and climate data tailored for tropical regions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since its commercial launch in 2015, Ignitia has focused on enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience among small-scale farmers by providing hyper-local weather updates via SMS based on GPS locations. Its services include daily, monthly, and seasonal rain forecasts, short-term forecasting, climate statistics, and early warning systems for storms and extreme weather. The company's technology is specifically designed to predict rapid weather changes driven by convection forces, which are common in tropical climates. Ignitia's offerings support various sectors, including agriculture, industry, mining, and offshore applications, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of an unpredictable climate on farming and other activities.

Virohan is an EdTech platform focused on providing training for the healthcare industry, established in 2018. It aims to address the disconnect between traditional higher education and industry needs through a demand-led, technology-driven approach. The platform offers standardized, quality learning outcomes via gamified blended learning, which incorporates classroom instruction and long internships at hospitals for practical experience. Virohan operates under a fee-based model and facilitates access to education by providing financial support options that allow students to pay back fees after securing employment. With a market size of approximately $7.5 billion in India, Virohan has trained over 3,000 youth, achieving a job placement rate of over 94%. The company has experienced significant growth, operating in 20 cities and partnering with more than 750 employers. Virohan is supported by various investors and participates in accelerator programs such as Google for Startups and AWS EdStart, enhancing its capacity to connect trained professionals with job opportunities in the healthcare sector.

East Africa Fruits Co. is a business that specializes in the distribution of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains to various clients, including retailers, wholesalers, local vendors, cafes, hotels, and exporters. Founded in 2013 and based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the company sources its products from smallholder farmers, engaging in processes such as cleaning, sorting, packing, and marketing to ensure quality. It aims to connect sellers with buyers while also supporting farmers in crop planning to meet market demands. In addition to its distribution services, East Africa Fruits Co. provides delivery services, enhancing accessibility for its clientele. The company aspires to become a leading producer and exporter of fruits, responding to the growing demand for fresh produce both domestically and internationally.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Essmart is a technology distributor focused on enhancing the quality of life in rural areas of southern India by providing access to essential products. Established in 2011, the company collaborates with local retail shops to distribute a diverse range of life-improving goods, including solar lanterns, water filters, smokeless cook stoves, and agricultural products. By integrating an in-store presence, Essmart enables these shops to serve as hubs for innovative technologies that benefit their communities. Additionally, the company supports local retailers by facilitating manufacturers’ warranties, ensuring that customers receive reliable and impactful products. With its commitment to social impact, Essmart aims to empower rural shop owners and improve their customers' lives through the sale of clean and sustainable technologies.

The Vega Marketplace will eventually feature farmers representing a variety of regions and coffee varietals. Customers will be able to search for farmers and select coffee based on origin, tasting notes, and/or roasting profile.