Winning the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge

Innovation is a powerful form of communication.

Being named a national winner of the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge was not just an award. It was a moment of recognition for the struggles of over 650,000 vendors across Tanzania — mostly women — who lose up to 40% of their vegetables to post-harvest spoilage. It was an acknowledgment that their stories matter, and that smart, low-tech innovation can drive lasting change in our food systems.

Recognizing the Need for Change

For years, vendors have relied on makeshift storage or been forced to throw away unsold vegetables at the end of the day. Without access to electricity or cold storage, their earnings — and their dignity — often vanished with the heat.

This challenge pushed us to ask:

“How can we redesign the future of food storage with women vendors at the center?”

That question led to Freshpack — a smart, water-based cooling box inspired by the human body’s natural ability to regulate temperature. No power. No waste. Just a simple fabric-based solution that keeps vegetables fresh for up to 4 extra days, reducing spoilage by up to 30%.

The Startupper Challenge: More Than a Win

Winning the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge gave us more than just a trophy.
It gave us a platform. It allowed us to:

• Validate our technology with leading innovation experts

• Amplify our mission to reduce food loss and empower women

• Connect with mentors, investors, and changemakers across Africa

It also reinforced something we already knew:
Innovation rooted in local problems, designed by local people, and tested in local markets can scale — and it can win.

Moving Forward With Purpose

Freshpack Technologies is still growing — expanding to new regions, designing new products, and building new partnerships. But our core mission remains the same:

To help small vendors preserve more, waste less, and earn with dignity.

We are deeply thankful to TotalEnergies for believing in our vision, and to every vendor, farmer, and partner who continues to shape this journey with us.

Call to Action:

Want to be part of this impact?
Let’s work together to scale low-cost, high-impact innovations across East Africa and beyond.