Tag Archives: food

UN/WFP INNOVATION CHALLENGE: RELIEF & RESILIENCE (UP TO USD 100,000 IN EQUITY-FREE FUNDING)

LOCATION: Germany 

This edition of the WFP Innovation Challenge seeks to identify and support disruptive social innovations that address key challenges in the fight against hunger. They are particularly interested in solutions for humanitarian assistance and supply chain resilience, as we aim to ensure that every donor dollar goes further in addressing hunger while reducing the need for ration cuts. 

ELIGIBILITY:

If you are a start-up…

Your start-up must be incorporated at the time of application. It can be for profit or not-for-profit.

Your innovation must at least be at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage. Proof-of-concept and initial traction is preferred.

Your solution should be financially viable.

Your proposal must show how working with WFP will serve your long-term strategy.

If you are a WFP employee…

Your team must have evidence of Country Office support and management buy-in.

You are encouraged to apply, regardless of your contract type or function.

We accept applications from WFP employees who are collaborating with NGOs, government or private sectors.

BENEFIT:

Funding: Apply to receive up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding, with further funding dependent upon progress and measurable achievement of key targets

Access to WFP Operations: Successful teams will work with WFP’s global network of partners and field operations across more than 120 countries and territories; Teams may also qualify for further funding and support if they are scaling innovations that have proven their concepts and value for social impact.

Hands-On Support: You’ll have the chance to work with technical and industry mentors who will provide guidance and accelerate your progress. Selected social innovations will participate in a three to five days long WFP Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch Event

Networking: Teams will be able to tap into and leverage our strong network of public, private, and government partners to accelerate implementation

APPLY

LINEAGE FOOD CHAIN INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Application Deadline:  September 30, 2024

LOCATION: USA

Lineage is inviting forward-thinking students and startups from across the world to help address the complexities of the food supply chain, explore new perspectives, and propose innovative solutions that can reshape how we feed the world.

ELIGIBILITY:

Participants: Open to students and entrepreneurs of all ages, genders, backgrounds, geographies and industries. Individuals or teams can participate.

There are no country restrictions, but entrants must be eligible to receive prizes (if they win) and it is their responsibility to pay any taxes on the prize winnings.

Business stage: The competition is open to startups and early-stage companies.

Compliance: All entries must comply with local business regulations and laws.

Team Formation and Registration

Participant team Size: Teams may consist of 1 to 5 members.

Changes to team members are not permitted after September 30, 2024. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis by the Food Chain Innovation Challenge committee.

Teams should be made up exclusively of participants who are not organizers, volunteers, judges, sponsors, or in any other privileged position at the event.

Judges are not eligible to participate in the Food Chain Innovation Challenge. They may, however, provide teams with advice and support ahead of the pitches on the day of the event.

Participants/Teams must submit a detailed business plan, including market viability, product or service description, financial projections, and clearly state the impact their solution will have on minimizing post-harvest food waste.

Applications must be received by September 30, 2024, and no late submissions will be accepted.

Project Presentation

All project ideas are welcome, providing it is original, and falls into one of the following categories:

Teams will be judged on the quality and execution of their pitch, rather than the novelty of the idea, providing it falls under one of the following categories:

Reducing food waste: Introduce technologies and strategies to diminish food loss from farm to market.

Innovative food preservation techniques: Propose novel methods that enhance food longevity and reduce spoilage.

Access to nutritious food: Improve the logistics of food distribution to enhance the availability of nutritious foods in underserved areas.

Data-driven insights and analytics: Employ analytics and IoT to optimize supply chains and reduce waste.

BENEFIT:

Lineage’s Food Chain Innovation Challenge provides a unique opportunity for participating teams to:

Connect: Network with industry professionals, mentors and fellow participants from around the world.

Learn: Experts in the food and logistics fields will be on site to provide real-time feedback and guidance to teams to help them develop their proposals.

Get Funded: The team with the winning entry selected by the judges in each region will receive a cash prize. Each of the regional winners will then enter a final round of global judging, competing for additional prize money and exclusive access to an executive-led incubator program organized by Lineage.

Create Impact: Make a difference by addressing real-world issues and contributing to a sustainable future.

APPLY