Kwaku Owusu Twum: Grad student wins Velocity Pitch Competition with Mapmate

Kwaku Owusu Twum is a trailblazer in the intersection of technology and agriculture, currently pursuing a PhD and a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) at the University of Waterloo, Ontario. Alongside co-founder Daniel Buston Yankey, Twum is spearheading the development of Mapmate, a groundbreaking digital platform revolutionizing agriculture for small-scale farmers.

Reflecting on his roots, Twum shares, “growing up, I was exposed to how climate variability can shape our lives, especially in terms of food production.”

Growing up in Ghana, he observed the profound impact of erratic climate patterns on food security and local livelihoods. This personal experience, paired with his passion for technology, inspired him to delve into planning and geo-information science, aiming to design solutions that strengthen global food systems.

Before joining the University of Waterloo, Twum built a wealth of experience in the food and manufacturing industries and in land management consulting. His work addressed complex challenges faced by urban and rural communities across sectors like mining, manufacturing, and services.