Sand to Green, a pioneering Moroccan agrotechnology startup, has secured a $50,000 grant at the prestigious DeepTech Summit 2025. This funding, awarded in the Green Economy category, will propel the company’s ambitious plans to expand across Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. The summit, held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir, Morocco, has shone a spotlight on the growing investor interest in the agriculture technology-as-a-service (AaaS) sector across Africa.
This surge of interest in Sand to Green aligns with ongoing investments by the Moroccan government and the World Bank, particularly through initiatives like the Morocco Digital and Climate Smart Agriculture programme. As technology becomes a crucial driver for scalable farming, investors are increasingly backing startups that can tap into Morocco’s $12.39 billion agriculture market while advancing innovative tech solutions.
Sand to Green’s innovative model combines satellite-based land analysis, solar-powered desalination, and regenerative agroforestry to transform arid landscapes into fertile, sustainable farmland. The company states that this grant will accelerate its expansion efforts, particularly in regions vulnerable to desertification and climate-induced food insecurity.
“This international recognition marks a pivotal moment for us,” said Benjamin Rombaut, CEO and co-founder of Sand to Green. “It validates the idea that Deep Tech can be a transformative tool for ecosystem restoration, combating desertification, and creating sustainable economic opportunities in partnership with local communities.”
Established in 2021 by Rombaut, Gautier de Carcouët, and Wissal Ben Moussa, Sand to Green has already secured $1 million in seed funding from investors such as Norway’s Katapult and the Catalyst Fund. The company operates at the intersection of two pressing global challenges: climate resilience and food security.
According to the United Nations, more than 40% of the Earth’s land is already degraded, impacting half of the world’s population and causing economic losses of up to $6 trillion annually. In Africa, desertification leads to the loss of approximately 3 million hectares of forest and arable land each year, resulting in an estimated 3% reduction in the continent’s GDP annually due to soil and nutrient loss.
Sand to Green’s approach combines environmental intelligence—such as soil composition, climate trends, and land topography—with local agricultural knowledge to craft tailored agroecological systems. Each project is co-created with input from rural communities, farmers, and local institutions, a collaborative approach the company believes is key to long-term sustainability and strong community engagement.
The company generates income by designing and managing sustainable farms that produce high-value crops including nuts, grains, and herbs. Additional revenue streams include consulting services, land development, and the creation of carbon credits, which are sold to companies aiming to offset their carbon emissions.
Headquartered in Morocco, Sand to Green is currently active in the country and planning further expansion within the Tan-Tan region. The agrotechnology startup is supported by NextAfrica, a pan-African accelerator led by UM6P and Paris-based STATION F, which offers strategic guidance, mentorship, and investor connections to emerging startups.
By blending ancestral land management practices with cutting-edge satellite and water technologies, Sand to Green is building a scalable model—both economically and ecologically—that it hopes will help tackle one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
The implications of Sand to Green’s success extend beyond its immediate business goals. The company’s innovative approach to land restoration and sustainable farming could serve as a blueprint for other regions grappling with desertification and food insecurity. Moreover, its focus on community engagement and local knowledge ensures that the benefits of its technology are shared with those who need it most.
As investor interest in the AaaS sector continues to grow, Sand to Green’s achievements highlight the potential for technology to drive sustainable agricultural practices. The company’s success could inspire further innovation and investment in this critical area, ultimately contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and promote food security.