Pelkins Ajanoh
The Idea
Biotech product to extend cassava shelf-life in Cameroon
Organization
CassVita
Cassava is a staple for smallholders across Africa—climate-resilient, soil-friendly, and in growing demand as a gluten-free starch. But there's a big catch: it rots fast—within three days—and without processing infrastructure, most farmers can’t sell it beyond their own needs.
About Pelkins
Pelkins is an entrepreneur and inventor. His interest in solving problems that make a measurable impact in the world led him to founding CassVita. He's had stints at Microsoft, McKinsey, and General Motors ‚ where he sharpened his inventor chops with a patented radar technology for self-driving cars. Pelkins earned a dual MS/MBA degree from Harvard School of Engineering and Harvard Business School.
