Entrepreneurs, start-ups, and food service providers are invited to submit proposals for the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) call to strengthen pre-cooked food businesses, using electricity as the main fuel for cooking.
The call focuses on mass production of foods that can be reheated or ‘finished off’ in restaurants or at home. The proposal should not include direct on-the-street selling of hot food to be eaten at the point of sale.
The study is expected to commence on 15th September, 2025, and a grant of £30,000 per successful applicant is available. Proposals that shoot above the budget will be rejected.
Proposals criteria
- Proposals should aim to develop or expand a viable and scalable pre-cooked food production and distribution business utilizing energy-efficient eCooking.
- Food safety and hygiene should be in compliance with national and regional food standards.
- Use sustainable and efficient eCooking methods, focusing on electric appliances.
- Support local supply chains by sourcing raw materials from smallholder farmers and producers.
- Provide employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women in food processing and distribution.
- Enhance affordability and accessibility of pre-cooked foods for lower-income urban populations
Who can apply?
- Entrepreneurs, start-ups, businesses, and food service providers interested in establishing or expanding a sustainable pre-cooked food business using electricity as the main fuel for cooking are welcome to apply.
- Applicants must be based in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, or Nigeria.
- You must demonstrate how you can use efficient ecooking appliances like electric pressure cookers, air fryers, rice cookers, and induction hobs to create or enhance an income-generating business.
Application process
Submit proposals with a maximum of 12 pages, accompanied by your CVs and other supporting documents. Click here to begin the process, and submit before August 3, 2025.
The Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) has issued a call for proposals aimed at entrepreneurs, start-ups, and food service providers to strengthen pre-cooked food businesses using electricity as the primary cooking fuel.
The initiative seeks to promote the mass production of pre-cooked foods that can be reheated, excluding direct point-of-sale street selling.
Successful applicants will be granted £30,000, with proposals exceeding the budget being rejected.
Proposals should focus on developing scalable and viable businesses using energy-efficient eCooking methods and ensuring food hygiene compliance.
They should support local supply chains, promote employment for youth and women, and enhance food affordability for low-income urban populations.
Eligible applicants include entrepreneurs, start-ups, and businesses based in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, or Nigeria, who can demonstrate the use of efficient electric cooking appliances to enhance their business.
Proposals, limited to 12 pages, along with CVs and other documents, must be submitted by August 3rd, 2025.
Additional submission details include checking the Terms of Reference on the MECS official website and forwarding responses to mecs@lboro.ac.uk with the subject 'eCook Pre-Cook'. The study is expected to start on September 15th, 2025.
