From research to impact; WUR spin-off Afropulse
What began as academic research has grown into a social enterprise creating lasting impact. Elisabeth Obeng, founder of Afropulse and daughter of Ghanaian diaspora parents, witnessed the inequality between Africa and Europe from a young age. After completing her studies, she realised that agriculture could serve as a bridge between the two continents — through honest food and fair trade.
With Afropulse, she now works directly with Ghanaian farmers, especially women, promoting empowerment and equity. The company focuses on the cowpea, a highly nutritious legume rich in protein and minerals. By offering farmers a share of the final product sales, Afropulse is helping to shift the power balance in global trade.
Road to Innovation Grant
The Road to Innovation Grant from Wageningen University & Research was, in Obeng’s words, instrumental. “Without the grant, my idea would probably have remained just a report.” The funding enabled her to move beyond theory — reaching out to companies, sending product samples, and securing new clients. Through StartHub, she also found the guidance and network needed to turn her research into a thriving business.
Her message to fellow researchers is clear:
“We often let our ideas stay on paper. But if you believe in the potential of your research, take that next step. Make it real — and know that you don’t have to do it alone.”
Are you ready to turn your research into societal impact? Explore how StartHub and the Road to Innovation Grant can help you realise your vision.
WUR Spin-off Label
In 2025 Afropulse was awarded a WUR spin-off label. WUR spin-offs are established with the purpose of further developing or exploiting knowledge coming from WUR. Afropulse is on a mission to bridge cultures and continents by empowering local entrepreneurs. By working directly with Ghanaian farmers, especially women, Afropulse empowers communities and brings high-quality West African ingredients, like the nutritious cowpea, to the forefront. Elisabeth says: “It’s great to see WUR recognizing our mission. I hope we continue to grow further and further.”
Demeter42 and InsectSense have been awarded with a WUR Spin-off label as well. Demeter42 combines agriculture and AI to help growers make data-driven decisions. Their software-as-a-service platform optimizes greenhouse design for a given location and supports resource efficiency, yield and profitability through data-driven insights. Founder and changemaker Didi Qian: “Everyone is talking about AI, so why not use it to help growers? I’m proud of our progress so far!”
InsectSense harnesses insect biomimicry to create biochips and devices for applications like flavour measurement, disease diagnosis, and water quality monitoring. On top of their label, they also closed an €800k pre-seed round with Capricorn Partners, Oost NL, and an angel investor.
