News DeskDubai, UAE – Goumbook has successfully concluded cohort 2024/2025 of its MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme, reinforcing the growing momentum behind regenerative farming and food systems in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT).
The programme was received with exceptional response in which over 510 registrations of interest were submitted by innovators and researchers from over 80 institutions across 65 countries to partake in this year’s Venture Programme series. This reflects a powerful regional and global interest to advance nature-based solutions for climate resilient food systems in arid and water-scarce regions.
The programme culminated in a high-impact pitch finale and award ceremony, where 20 shortlisted projects were exhibited, and the top 5 solutions presented their pitch in person to a regional audience during the MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Summit in Riyadh. Three winning innovations were selected by esteemed Judges and each awarded a grant of $20,000, alongside mentorship, incubation support, and access to Goumbook’s growing ecosystem of partners including HSBC, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), EIT Food, and the UN Climate Change High Level Champions. Each winning solution demonstrated scientific excellence, innovation, and potential for regional scalability, addressing critical challenges in soil regeneration, climate resilience, food and water security with cutting-edge methodologies.
The top 20 innovations of cohort 2024/2025 highlighted the MENAT region’s opportunity to position itself as a global seedbed of innovation and a center of excellence in arid land agriculture and regenerative food systems.
“Actinobacteria”, one of the winning solutions from Ibn Zohr University in Morocco, introduced an innovative approach to restoring soil health using water stress-tolerant actinobacteria. These naturally occurring microbes are used to create bio fertilisers that enhance soil fertility and microbiological activity, reduce dependence on synthetic inputs, and shield crops from abiotic stress. This technology offers scalable, cost-effective potential for regions facing water scarcity and land degradation.
From Saudi Arabia’s Estidamah Research Centre “Farm to 2Fs (Fuel and Fertiliser)” , deploys high-pressure anaerobic digestion (AHPD) to convert animal waste into bioenergy and nutrient-rich fertilisers. Operated through a cooperative model supported by a digital waste collection platform, this solution integrates circularity into farming systems while boosting energy security, soil regeneration, and rural incomes.
Lastly, the third winning solution “RedDot”, designed by a UK-based team, pioneers RNA-based biopesticides using sugar-based nanoparticles to target the red palm weevil, which is a significant threat to regional agriculture. This selective, non-toxic method represents a breakthrough in environmentally safe pest control.
The success of MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme has triggered a broader movement in the region. Through the first MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Summit 2025, under the patronage of Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this high-level event convened leading policymakers, researchers, innovators, and industry experts to underscore the critical role of regenerative farming in climate adaptation and mitigation within food systems and security across the region.
Through the Summit, Goumbook was able to convene a cross-sectoral collaboration among key stakeholders to align priorities and co-create a blueprint for action across the climate, food, and land nexus.
Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder and Managing Director of Goumbook, commented: “This year’s programme was not only a celebration of innovation; it was a rallying point for regional action. The extraordinary response we received reflects a deep regional commitment to shifting our food systems from extractive to regenerative, from vulnerable to resilient. Our winners are just the beginning of what’s possible when science, sustainability, and collaboration come together.”
Looking ahead, Goumbook is deepening its engagement with the 2024/2025 winners to unlock meaningful incubation opportunities. By supporting these innovators with continued technical guidance, strategic partnerships, and funding access, Goumbook aims to ensure their solutions are validated, adopted, and scaled across the MENAT region. This initiative’s next phase reinforces Goumbook’s commitment to building an ecosystem that connects science, policy, finance, and innovation, driving tangible outcomes for people, nature, and climate.
