Kwaku Owusu Twum (PhD and MBET in progress) is revolutionizing agriculture with his platform, Mapmate. Born and raised in Ghana, Twum's exposure to the impacts of climate variability on food security sparked a lifelong mission to improve agricultural systems through technology.
Before coming to Waterloo, Twum honed his expertise in the food and manufacturing sectors and in land management consulting. Seeking a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, he joined the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, where he is now an Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow.
In his first term, Twum entered and won the Velocity Pitch Competition. This achievement underscored the strength of Waterloo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and affirmed the potential of Mapmate, a platform connecting small-scale farmers with food manufacturers.
Mapmate addresses critical communication gaps in agricultural supply chains, particularly in regions like rural Africa, where farmers often lack internet access. The platform leverages SMS and voice messaging to deliver weather updates, market trends, and best practices to farmers, empowering them to collaborate effectively with manufacturers.
Looking ahead, Twum envisions integrating artificial intelligence to optimize platform usage and exploring digital currencies to enhance farmers’ financial stability.
“Mapmate is more than just a platform, it’s a tool for change,” Twum explains. By harnessing technology and Waterloo’s support, Twum is driving meaningful progress in global agriculture, bridging gaps in the supply chain and empowering small-scale farmers to thrive.
Twum’s journey exemplifies how entrepreneurship and innovation can address global challenges, sowing the seeds for a more sustainable and equitable agricultural future.
Go to Founder spotlight: Kwaku Owusu Twum wins Velocity Pitch Competition in his first semester for the full story.
Tuesday, November 26, 2024