Three Tunisian ventures have emerged as the national winners of the 16th Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM), earning recognition for business ideas that combine technology with measurable social and environmental impact. The results place CHITELIX, PigmentOCO and HANDISUCCESS INTERNATIONAL at the centre of an initiative aimed at helping promising entrepreneurs develop solutions that can address real market and community needs.
The competition attracted 156 technology and social-impact projects from across Tunisia, highlighting the growing number of entrepreneurs using technology to respond to challenges in areas such as environmental sustainability, employment, education and access to essential resources.
CHITELIX Leads the National Competition
Anis Ben Ghalia, founder of CHITELIX, took first place and received TND 15,000 for a BioTech project focused on transforming blue crab waste into chitosan and other sustainable biomaterials.
The company uses biotechnology and circular-economy principles to turn seafood by-products that would otherwise become waste into useful materials. CHITELIX specialises in producing chitosan and bio-ingredients through the upcycling of seafood by-products, creating an opportunity to address waste management while developing products with commercial and environmental value.
The company’s approach is based on the idea that resources can be used more efficiently rather than discarded. By combining biotechnology with waste recovery, CHITELIX aims to contribute to more sustainable production while creating potential benefits for local communities and the wider economy.
Second place went to Amal Chebbi, founder of PigmentOCO, who received TND 10,000. The CleanTech venture is developing CO₂ supercritical dyeing technology designed to reduce the amount of water, energy and chemicals used in textile production.
PigmentOCO’s technology offers a waterless alternative to traditional textile dyeing and seeks to reduce the environmental impact of an industry that relies heavily on water and chemical processes. The company is currently developing its prototype and looking for partners and investors to support its growth.
Chebbi also received the National Women’s Award, which comes with an additional TND 10,000 in equipment and resources. The award provides further support for the development of a technology that could help textile manufacturers adopt cleaner production methods.
Third place was awarded to Nejah Cherif and Nour El Houda Cherif, who received TND 5,000 for HANDISUCCESS INTERNATIONAL.
The HRTech venture focuses on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities by connecting job seekers with companies looking for talent. Through its Handitalents recruitment platform, HANDISUCCESS INTERNATIONAL works to connect inclusive employers with skilled and motivated candidates while helping companies strengthen their diversity and inclusion efforts.
The platform combines technology with personalised support to help people with disabilities access meaningful and dignified employment. For businesses, it also provides a way to identify talent while creating more inclusive workplaces.
Finalists Take Tunisian Innovation to the International Stage
The three winning ventures were part of a six-project finalist group covering a wide range of technology sectors. Oussama Houcine, through Eco xtreme, presented an AgriTech solution involving mobile solar pumping systems made from recycled plastic. The project aims to improve access to water in arid areas by combining solar energy with recycled materials.
Taycir Chouk, through Readdly, represented the EdTech category with an AI-based application designed to provide personalised learning paths for children with dyslexia. The technology seeks to respond to individual learning needs and support children experiencing difficulties with traditional learning approaches.
Meanwhile, Raoua Kekli, founder of Tri-up empowerment hub, presented a SocialTech solution focused on the professional inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The digital ecosystem aims to support greater participation in the workplace and create opportunities for people who can face barriers to employment.
Together, the six finalists demonstrated how technology can be applied to challenges extending from sustainable water access and environmental protection to education and workplace inclusion.
The three national winners will now advance to the POESAM International Grand Final, where they will compete alongside entrepreneurs from 16 other African and Middle Eastern countries in which the Orange Group operates. The international competition will award prizes of €25,000, €15,000 and €10,000.
The Tunisian women-led projects will also have an additional opportunity at the international level. Amal Chebbi with PigmentOCO, Taycir Chouk with Readdly, and Raoua Kekli with Tri-up empowerment hub will compete for the International Women’s Prize worth €20,000.
Beyond the financial awards, the winners will have access to business opportunities, networking, coaching and support from Orange Tunisia and the Orange Group. This support is intended to help the entrepreneurs strengthen their projects, develop partnerships and accelerate their businesses.
Through POESAM, Orange Tunisia, alongside UNDP Tunisia and its partners, is continuing its support for entrepreneurship focused on practical economic, social and environmental challenges.
Since launching in Tunisia in 2010, Orange Tunisia has positioned innovation and digital technology as important tools for supporting the country’s development. Its work also covers entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and the wider digital transformation of the economy, while supporting efforts linked to environmental transition.
