UNGA79: Unlocking Impact Solutions
Pitch Competition
A Pitch Competition to Advance SDG9 & SDG10
Meet Etherisc
Etherisc Impact B.V. is a pioneering company leveraging blockchain technology to develop decentralized insurance solutions aimed at making insurance more accessible, transparent, and efficient. Their mission is to address global challenges like climate risk and financial exclusion through innovative insurance products, including crop insurance. By harnessing decentralized technologies, Etherisc Impact B.V. creates more cost-effective, automated insurance models that benefit underserved populations and emerging markets.
Sebastian Schlitter
Etherisc
Sebastian Schlitter is the Communications Officer at Etherisc, where he manages internal and external communications to promote the company’s blockchain-based insurance solutions. He articulates the company’s mission and initiatives, including projects aimed at enhancing financial resilience for smallholder farmers and addressing climate change challenges.
Originally from Munich, Sebastian now resides in Vietnam, bringing a global perspective and a passion for connecting diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Sebastian’s passion lies in bridging communication between diverse audiences and stakeholders. He is also dedicated to advancing the blockchain movement, with a strong desireto help others understand and embrace this paradigm-shifting technology.
Before joining Etherisc, Sebastian was actively involved in Munich’s startup scene, where he played a key role in scaling a company in the organic food sector from its inception to becoming a thriving SME. A blockchain native, Sebastian brings a wealth of expertise in decentralized technologies, which he leverages to further Etherisc’s impact.
Meet Atlante
ATLANTE enables communities in frontier markets to break the cycle of financial exclusion by providing swift, affordable microloans that drive sustainable economic development. Through our platform, entrepreneurs in the Kakuma refugee camp can access vital resources to grow businesses, create jobs, and improve livelihoods; transforming aid-dependent regions into thriving, self-sustaining environments with long-lasting social and economic impact.
Nasim Yahiaoui
ATLANTE
Nasim Yahiaoui is a thoughtful and dedicated leader committed to empowering marginalised communities in frontier markets. With a deep belief in the power of inclusive and transparent financial infrastructure, Nasim works at the intersection of socio-economics, technology, and impact investing to promote sustainable economic growth. His journey has taken him to some of the world’s most challenging environments, where he leads initiatives aimed at reshaping the fabric of financial systems and conducts hands-on research to uncover their deeper realities and untapped potential.
Meet MOJA
Moja is a people-focused technology company developing products and services for group-based financial collaboration. Founded by Gerry Mc Hugh and Tarig Hilal, Moja is bringing solutions to the almost half billion people saving together in groups worldwide and the 300 million people in need of humanitarian assistance worldwide. Moja’s vision is for a world in which financial technologies help bring people together to fulfill their dreams. The company is employing blockchain, cryptoasset and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to drive value to its users. Its flagship product is an application to enable people to save, send, borrow and invest together, in groups, using USDC.
Moja is a Techstars alumnus (2023); the company is based in Cambridge, USA, with presence in Nairobi, Kenya, and London.
Gerry McHugh
MOJA
Gerry Mc Hugh is Founder and CEO of Moja, a fintech company developing products for group-based financial collaboration. Gerry is a serial entrepreneur who has spent 28 years working for greater equity, dignity and social justice. The first venture which he founded is Conflict Dynamics, a successful social impact organization working on conflict resolution and humanitarian action. Gerry grew up in Ireland, and has worked extensively across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Trinity College Dublin.
Meet Kshetra
Kshetra is a technology company which designs products achieved through rigorous market research and design thinking. The company envisions necessary infrastructure to forge partnerships, increase capital allocation, boost innovation towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. ImpactCred is Kshetra’s FinTech marketplace designed to match social enterprises with impact investors and Funds to facilitate bridge financing and working capital loans for a market return.
Ranjani Sridharan
Ranjani Sridharan is an experienced finance and investment professional with over 19 years of executive finance and financial consulting experience in social impact. Her expertise lies across financial modeling, investment due diligence, impact analysis and assessment, executive presentation and thought leadership, process transformation and strategic planning across sectors such as financial inclusion, renewable energy and education. Ranjani’s professional background includes impact investing in early-stage social enterprises and projects leveraging blended finance through private investment vehicles at ImpactCred (Kshetra’s FinTech marketplace), Distributed Sun, Living Cities, International Finance Corporation (IFC) SME Ventures and Resonance Global. Ranjani received her MBA from the George Washington University and her BA in Economics from Mount Holyoke College and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. She grew up in Kenya and India, studied in France and has significant international business experience, collaborating with professionals in over 13 countries across Asia, Africa, the U.K. and can speak five languages.