Jola Venture seeks to establish the blue print of a true social enterprise. Our business foundation rest on innovations from young innovators who wish to ignite change in world with one technology at a time. Our core values incorporates sustainable, success and scalability

?

History:

Jola Venture began as the idea of a Cameroonian who came to the United States and saw the potential for social and financial impact in bringing knowledge and technology to farmers in Cameroon.

Our CEO, Roland Fomundam, grew up around farms in Bamenda, North West Cameroon, but travelled to Northeastern University for secondary education. In Cameroon, most farmers (especially women) are employed through the informal sector where they supply their finished produce to wholesalers who, in turn, export to neighboring and foreign countries at about 80% gross margin profits. Roland witnessed his own aunt being exploited by this market system.

Our Principle Investigator and academic advisor, Dr. William Tiga Tita, began a micro financing program in his hometown in Cameroon, and saw to its successful operation for four years, but noticed a glass ceiling affecting its progress. After the first year of operations, they realized a return of over 42%, with 53% during the second year, and 58% the third year. The increase in production came at a price – farmers had to sell at pitiful prices due to lack of preservation technology. Farmers are able to increase production with micro loans, but have no way of accessing regular markets in which to sell their goods.  

Roland sought the help of Northeastern’s mechanical engineering department and found a solution a solar food dehydrator called the Solpod

Team:

Roland Fomundam - General Management

Micheal Cantalino - Business Operations

Prathuma Reddy - Financial Operations

Orphée Dossou - Marketing Operations

Delaney Bannister - Communication Operations

Adam Khaw - Technical Operations

Jason Cook - Investor Relations

Henry Nsang: Engineers Operations

Advisers:

Dr William T. Tita - General Counsel

Dr Mo Taslim - Engineering Counsel

Dr John Friar - Institution Counsel

Partners:

Northeastern University, Boston, MA

University of Buea, Cameroon

University of Ngoundere, Cameroon

Farmer’s cooperative credit union in Cameroon

Common Initiative groups in Cameroon

1. •2010 - Winner of Husky Innovation Challenge. Won first place for most innovative idea, won audience and judges favorite
   

2. •2011 - Won IDEA gap fund
   

3. •2011 - Advanced to semi finalist of Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition
   

4. •2011 - Advanced to semi finalist in Venture Challenge competition
   

5. •2011 Advanced as semi finalist at AUTM 2012 Venture Forum Competition
   

6. •2012 Advanced semi finalist of the Venture Challenge at San Diego State University
   

7. •2012 - Grant received by the Collegiate investor  and innovator Alliance (NCIIA)
   

8. •2012 Advanced semi finalist of the Global Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington Foster School of Business
   2012 Rice Business Plan  Competition, Houston Texas - Won the Shark Tank round
   

9. •2012 semifinalist Dell Innovation Challenge  Competition, Houston Texas