Techbytes: Morocco’s Sand to Green wins $50,000 grant as African climate startups attract global funding (TechPoint)

Moroccan agri-tech startup Sand to Green has secured a $50,000 grant at the DeepTech Summit 2025, highlighting the growing global interest in African climate-tech innovations.

The company, backed by the Catalyst Fund, was awarded the prize in the Green Economy category at the summit held on May 8–9 at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir, Morocco.

Founded in 2021 by Benjamin Rombaut, Gautier de Carcouët, and Wissal Ben Moussa, Sand to Green aims to transform degraded land into productive farmland, reports TechPoint News.

The startup employs a combination of satellite-driven land analysis, solar-powered desalination, and regenerative agroforestry to convert arid zones into fertile, sustainable farms.

The recent grant is expected to accelerate the company’s expansion plans across Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe.

“This international recognition is a turning point for us,” said CEO Benjamin Rombaut, adding, “It confirms that Deep Tech can be a powerful lever for restoring ecosystems, fighting desertification, and offering sustainable economic prospects to vulnerable territories in cooperation with all local actors.”

Sand to Green’s innovative approach addresses pressing issues of desertification and food insecurity, which are exacerbated by climate change.

The startup’s success is representative of a broader trend in Africa’s climate-tech sector, which is attracting increased investment.

Catalyst Fund, a Boston-based venture accelerator, had been instrumental in supporting early-stage African startups focused on climate adaptation and resilience.

In recent months, the fund has invested in multiple African climate-tech startups, contributing to a growing ecosystem of innovation on the continent.

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