MAHE Dubai students win Green Entrepreneurship Program with LoopBite, a start-up turning food waste into compost to fight UAE’s $3.5B crisis.
Dubai: Students from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai have emerged victorious at the Green Entrepreneurship Program, hosted by Ajman University at Ajman Youth Hub. Their winning start-up, LoopBite, is a tech-enabled platform tackling the UAE’s $3.5 billion food waste crisis through a smart, circular economy model.
LoopBite enables households, farms, and businesses to convert food scraps into compost via tech-driven waste collection and gamified incentives. With food waste in the UAE exceeding 3.2 million tonnes annually, the platform arrives at a critical moment. The team received AED 5,000 in prize money and has now entered an incubation phase supported by Ajman University and industry mentors.
The start-up is co-founded by students and graduates from MAHE Dubai, Ajman University, and Abu Dhabi University. Mohamed Nihmathullah (CEO, MAHE Dubai) leads the project’s vision and partnerships. Mohammed Abushaban (COO, Ajman University) manages operations, while Syrin Alabrach (Communications & Finance, Abu Dhabi University) oversees branding and financials. Nazmi Nazar (CIO, MAHE Dubai) focuses on innovation and sustainability.
Dr. Bhakti More, Head of the Centre for ESG at MAHE Dubai, praised the initiative: “LoopBite is a shining example of youth-driven climate action. In the UAE’s Year of Community, this start-up reflects our ethos of nurturing innovation with impact. Our students are not just learning about sustainability—they’re shaping it.”
The initiative aligns with national goals. Food accounts for 40% of household waste in the UAE, spiking to 60% during Ramadan. With the UAE committed to halving food waste by 2030 under its Net Zero 2050 vision, LoopBite’s tech-driven composting model provides a practical solution. In 2024 alone, the UAE Food Bank diverted 5,466 tonnes of food from landfills, highlighting the national momentum toward sustainability.
“This is more than a project—it’s a movement,” said Nihmathullah. “At LoopBite, we believe scraps can fuel solutions. We’re closing the loop on waste, one compost bin at a time.”
This achievement reinforces MAHE Dubai’s role as a sustainability leader, with its Centre for ESG driving student innovation, research, and recognition from global and local climate bodies.
