Growing Benin's next generation of seed sector entrepreneurs.
Turn your expertise into an innovative, credible, and sustainable business that serves the seed sector.
Scientific expertise should become entrepreneurial strength.
An entrepreneurship program for the seed sector.
UNDERSTAND
Exploring the seed sector, accredited training in seed science and technology, and an introduction to business development and company creation.
BUILD
Experiments, studies, mentoring, coaching, and networking.
LAUNCH
Production, business registration, certification, market access, and access to financing.
A journey that takes you from idea to company.
The fertile ground your seed sector idea needs to take root.
SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE
Direct access to seed science and technology through the platforms and experts of GBioS and its partners.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING
Hands-on training in the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, delivered with business support professionals and designed to turn technical expertise into a viable company.
MENTORING AND COACHING
One-on-one support from experienced mentors and coaches, designed to guide each team through its strategic decisions and strengthen its entrepreneurial footing.
PROTOTYPING AND TESTING
Access to the technical and field platforms of GBioS to design, prototype, and test your product or service before bringing it to market.
BUSINESS LAUNCH
Support to structure your company, secure administrative, legal, and tax compliance, and officially enter the market.
GROWTH NETWORKING
Connections to an ecosystem of scientific, technical, institutional, and economic partners, designed to open access to markets, financing, and collaboration opportunities.
A concrete ambition: to grow local companies that deliver tailored answers to the challenges facing Benin's seed sector.
The PIES AWARD 2026:
Your motivation is the starting point.
PIES is for recent graduates ready to put their expertise to work as entrepreneurs in the seed sector.
Particular attention is given to the participation of young women.
Building businesses around Benin's essential food crops.
Joining forces to meet the challenges of Benin's seed sector.
The PIES AWARD draws on an ecosystem of scientific, technical, institutional, and economic partners that supports every team.
Your questions about the PIES AWARD.
The PIES AWARD (Programme d’Innovation et d’Entrepreneuriat Semencier – the Seed Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program) is an initiative led by GBioS, a unit of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (FSA) at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC). It supports project leaders in building an innovative, credible, and sustainable business in the seed sector.
The program is open to candidates with backgrounds in agronomy, management, marketing, communications, digital, entrepreneurship, and related fields. Particular attention is given to the participation of young women. The detailed eligibility criteria are available here
The journey consists of six part-time stages: hackathon, accredited training (seed science and technology, and entrepreneurship), mentoring & coaching, prototyping and testing, company formation and registration, compliance for certification, and growth networking.
The program provides support valued at an estimated 5,000,000 FCFA per team to help build a viable business in the seed sector. This value covers all the services and resources made available to participants, including training, coaching, mentoring, and access to technical facilities, laboratories, and experimental units. These services are fully funded by the program and are therefore free of charge for participants.
The 2026 edition aims to support 50 young talents, with the ambition of launching 10-15 companies.
The PIES AWARD focuses on high-potential crops: peanut, yam, maize, cassava, rice, soybean, and tomato.
The PIES AWARD draws on an ecosystem of scientific, technical, institutional, and economic partners. To propose a partnership, contact the GBioS team.
Your degree is just the beginning. Let your potential grow.
Join the PIES Prize 2026 and turn your scientific expertise into an innovative, credible, and sustainable seed business.