Sweden has an abundance of surplus apples, as well as vast water resources suitable for cultivating algae that are both nutritious and climate-friendly. Tendai Abiola Dhodho, an international student at SLU from Zimbabwe, combines these facts with a great deal of drive, creativity, confidence, and persistence, as she pursues sustainability through her soon-to-be startup.
As a child, Tendai Abiola Dhodho wanted to become a doctor. Then she received some money from her parents to start growing vegetables in the garden. She earned a good income selling her produce in the village, and she thought “Wow!” The entrepreneur within her had awakened.
Inspired by other companies producing fresh smoothies from surplus fruit, Tendai has developed her own powder-based concept focusing on nutritional value and sustainability.
– Transforming a fresh raw ingredient into a long-shelf-life powder reduces food waste while simultaneously boosting preparedness. To be ready for any kind of food crisis, we need Swedish-produced, sustainable, and nutritious food, Tendai notes.
The concept is already well-developed: Tendai has found a good combination of fibers and vitamins from apples and protein from algae.
– With significant support from organizations such as SLU Holding and Axfoundation, I’ve been able to develop this nutritional drink powder to its current stage. Here in Sweden, abundant apples are the natural choice for flavoring. In my home country Zimbabwe, the powder could instead feature ingredients like baobab or marula fruit.
SLU Holding has helped organize taste tests with SLU students, and Tendai has gathered a great deal of feedback from them.
– We need to keep working on both the nutritional profile of the algae and the taste of the drink. And perhaps we can get the powder to dissolve faster and more effectively? I´ve got access to Axfoundations test kitchen but I need to get into a lab to take my product to the next level.
Tendai arrived to SLU in 2024 through the Swedish Institute’s Global Professionals Scholarship, an international program for master’s students aiming to contribute to the UN’s Global Goals under Agenda 2030. She brought with her a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Zimbabwe, as well as studies in business administration and management. Before coming here, she worked remotely as a consultant on sustainability and AI issues for the EU and for companies in countries such as Belize, Canada, India, and Nigeria.
In May 2026 she received one of the student Innovation Prizes from SLU Uppsala and the Sparbanksstiftelsen Upland foundation.
Tendai was recognized for another algae-based innovation—an air purification system that uses algae to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
This summer, with stiff international competition, she was accepted to the Mercedes-Benz Beevisioneers Fellowship, a program aimed at entrepreneurs with sustainable ideas. The fellowship provides, among other things, mentorship support to help her develop her business concepts.
Having a good team is essential for developing an innovation. Initially, four SLU students collaborated on the smoothie idea. Aside from the initiator, Tendai, the only other person remaining in the project is another international student who, unfortunately, has not been granted an extension of their residence permit in Sweden. Tendai herself is currently making great efforts to secure an extension of her own residence permit in Sweden.
– We’ve come so far that it would break my heart to just have to leave it all behind. I’m a hard worker, quick to learn, persistent, and flexible. I’ve been studying full-time here while also taking Swedish language courses and working on my innovations. I network and attend various events, such as SLU VentureLab. I also make an effort to meet other entrepreneurs at events like breakfasts and lunches—both to learn from them and to share what I’m doing myself. I´m hoping to eventually land a PhD position at SLU. I focus on the possibilities for the future!
Where does Tendai’s immense drive come from?
– I grew up in a village in Zimbabwe, and I am the second youngest of fifteen siblings. My older brothers and sisters have successfully pursued education and now work in different parts of the world. So, for me, there is no alternative but to succeed as well. Realizing my vision will take time, and I will probably stumble a few times along the way, but I will get back up! I want to leave a genuine, positive mark on the world.
Tendai Abiola Dhodho hopes to inspire more international students to follow her lead—to dare to take the leap and believe in a future in Sweden, despite the many obstacles along the way.
– Many international students from the Global South have truly brilliant ideas! They are super smart and very skilled in deep tech and sustainability. Yet, many feel there is a wall between them and Swedish society, and that they’ll never be able to land a job when competing with native Swedes. But I have bigger dreams than that. I’m building my own company—one I see creating benefit to society, and with the potential for a bright future. More people could do the same!
There is surely more to come. The real question is probably not if Tendai Abiola Dhodho has a long career ahead of her as an innovator and entrepreneur. The question is where.
Tendai Abiola Dhodho. Foto: Göran Ekeberg/addlight
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