Brain Trust | Mark Memga - Smoothie Arena

​A Brain Trust is a 1-hour group brainstorming session where experts from the RIVET ecosystem provide feedback and advice on a challenge or initiative that a social innovator is working on.

​Mark Memga’s mission was inspired by a heartbreaking sight near his home in Nigeria: piles of ripe, colorful fruit left to rot in the sun.

​Mark realized how much spoilage was contributing to the food waste epidemic and increasing greenhouse gases released from the decomposing fruit. He took the opportunity to turn a global issue into a local solution. He created Smoothie Arena, a social impact initiative that rescues surplus fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

​This project transforms the fruit, including pulp, into healthy, affordable smoothies and juices, or animal feed. But that's not all! Mark pairs his fruit upcycling efforts with school-based workshops to help teach sustainable agriculture, environmental awareness, and entrepreneurship to local youth. In the first two months, the project reached over 300 students.

​With support from RIVET, Mark’s mission has continued to grow, turning discarded fruit into fresh solutions.