Jul 05, 2023

Fuji Oil cheering on young entrepreneurs: the Rethink Waste Student Challenge Final

Fuji Oil proudly supported the Dutch Student ReThink Waste Challenge, organized by Wageningen University. 

Passionate student entrepreneurs from around the globe were competing with their ideas to create businesses to reduce, recycle or re-use waste. During 6 months they researched, studied, discussed and debated with industry mentors and polished up their ideas for a final Shark Tank pitch to the judges.

The winner was announced at the grand final event on the Wageningen University Campus. 

And the winner is.... Team Afterlife!  

Team Afterlife won first prize for with their concept of converting agricultural waste into a source of mycoprotein with the help of fungi. The judges commended the team for focussing on a waste stream that is a challenge to ferment. The team is awarded a monetary prize and professional support in an Accelerator program to further develop their idea into a real start-up that might change the future of waste.

In addition, Fuji Europe Africa awarded Team Afterlife the 'Fuji Europe Africa SDG' prize because their scientific approach and motivation to work on this topic was so impressive. We hope that our prize will contribute to them taking the first steps in proving their concept!

Why does Fuji partner with the Student Challenge? One reason is because we want to contribute to the education of future science entrepreneurs. Another reason is that their enthusiasm and motivation inspires us to think outside the box and be inspired by them!