In a world driven by innovation, startups are reshaping industries, injecting agility into markets, and fueling economic growth. With fresh perspectives and bold ideas, they challenge traditional business models and drive technological progress. Beyond economic impact, startups address pressing societal challenges, developing solutions that improve lives while fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At the heart of these innovations are business incubators—critical support systems that provide mentorship, funding, and resources to entrepreneurs. These incubators accelerate high-potential startups, promote technological advancements, and create co-creation spaces that empower young innovators.
The Rise of Green Bean
One such success story is Green Bean, an Ethiopian startup specializing in coffee dryer machines. Over the past six years, the company has gained recognition for its contributions to the country’s industrial and agricultural sectors, securing financial backing and expanding its reach.
Green Bean was co-founded by Anduamlak Mehariw, an entrepreneur from Addis Ababa, who now serves as CEO. The company traces its roots to a university research project in Sidama, formerly part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ (SNNP) region.
– Advertisement –
Anduamlak and his co-founder, Egzeryalew Ayele, first conceived their coffee dryer machine in 2015. Their initial prototype, supported by a business incubator, set the foundation for what would become Green Bean.
“The project gained traction after we partnered with a business incubator,” Anduamlak said. “They provided us with startup funding and helped us manufacture our first dryer machine. We then tested it on a farm in the remote Keffa Zone, where it proved remarkably efficient. That success led us to further recognition in various competitions.”
In 2018, the company had its breakthrough at Ethiopia’s Startup Competition held at Millennium Hall. There, Green Bean showcased its largest dryer machine, winning first place. “That competition was a turning point,” Anduamlak said. “We secured multiple customer orders and successfully commercialized our products, including scaling up production of our biggest dryer machine.”
Innovating for Ethiopia’s Agricultural Future
Green Bean is more than just a manufacturer; it represents a new wave of Ethiopian industrial innovation. The company integrates technological advancements into its designs, focusing on waste reduction, automation, and efficiency in agro-processing.
“With a team of skilled engineers and researchers, we ensure our products are reliable, eco-friendly, and sustainable for Ethiopia’s agricultural and industrial needs,” Anduamlak said.
The company has expanded its product line and supplied dozens of turmeric polisher dryer machines to farmers in the Mizan-Tepi region and beyond, boosting productivity through advanced agricultural technology.
Since its inception, Green Bean has earned several accolades. It was recognized as East Africa’s first dryer machine producer and won the Business Development Award from Addis Ababa University and the European Union in 2016. In 2019, it won the Tony Elumelu Foundation Award and Ethiopia’s Total Startup Competition. More recently, in 2020, it secured the GIZ Innovation Challenge, and in 2023, it was honored by the Innobiz-K Ethiopia Intensive Consulting and Mentoring Program as one of the country’s top innovative companies.
Despite these achievements, Green Bean faces the financial challenges common to many startups. While it received a USD 10,000 growth fund and doubled its revenue from four million to eight million birr last year, financial constraints remain an obstacle to scaling operations.
“Despite our track record, funding remains a major constraint,” Anduamlak admitted. “We need a larger manufacturing facility to scale up production, even though we have secured a site in Akaki Kality.”
Currently, the company operates in Addis Ababa’s Akaki Kality district, employing around 20 permanent and contract workers.
Green Bean’s success reflects the broader growth of Ethiopia’s startup landscape. According to StartupBlink data from January 2025, Ethiopia is home to approximately 72 startups, with most based in Addis Ababa. The country’s startup ecosystem is rapidly evolving, driven by government initiatives like the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, which promotes innovation in fintech, e-commerce, and healthcare technology.
Additionally, Ethiopia’s startup scene has seen increasing support from the government, private sector, and international organizations. Additionally, Ethiopia now boasts approximately 10 major startup incubators and accelerators, fostering entrepreneurship across the country.
For entrepreneurs like Anduamlak, this growing ecosystem presents both opportunities and challenges. As the company pushes forward, overcoming financial and infrastructural challenges, its journey underscores both the promise and struggles of African startups striving to innovate and expand in a rapidly evolving landscape.
.
.
.
#Green #Bean #Engineering #Future #AgroTech
Source link
