Hamdi Ahmed, a doctor of chemistry, is the founder and CEO of the Tunisian company, Ecomarc. After discovering the potential of nutrient-rich coffee grounds in cultivation, he decided to use them for mushroom growing. In 2018, he produced his first oyster mushrooms, with the plan to dehydrate them for sale.
Cultivated naturally without any pesticides or synthetic products, Ecomarc oyster mushrooms are distinguished by their freshness and quality. The company, which made its first sales in 2021, carries the slogan “Eat Clean”.
Ecomarc is the first Tunisian company to use coffee grounds as a mushroom substrate. The company has even filed patents for this method. Its oyster mushrooms are sold in supermarkets and restaurants across the country, satisfying the taste of Tunisian consumers whose appetite for mushrooms is growing.
In September 2023, Ahmed was invited to take part in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s “Star Venture”(link is external) programme. This is an initiative that aims to identify high-potential start-ups and mobilize global expertise to support their operations and help them scale up. The success story was reported by African Development Bank
