The Global Innovation Challenge for Zero Hunger is looking for proposals that could transform the lives of smallholder farmers and small-scale livestock producers, reach a step change in food systems or increase the effectiveness of emergency response. From mobile applications to artificial intelligence, post-harvest loss prevention and new cultivation techniques, the challenge is seeking low- and high-tech solutions, business model innovations and more.
Selected teams will participate in a joint bootcamp at the WFP Innovation Accelerator from 13 to 17 May 2019 in Munich, Germany, where they will tackle field-level challenges and refine project plans with the hands-on support of industry experts and partners including Cargill leaders. Teams will also get a chance to receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding and access to a global network to test the solution’s impact and scalability in the field.
Teams applying to the challenge must:
- Be a registered company, with a for-profit or not-for-profit designation
- Have a minimum viable product
- Show initial evidence of their solution, such as results of user research or initial tests of their prototypes.
Cargill has committed US$550,000 in support of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, which is specifically designed to identify, nurture and scale bold solutions to achieve zero hunger.
“At Cargill, we invest in innovation to solve some of the greatest food and sustainability challenges of our time,” said Cargill Chairman and CEO David MacLennan. “This includes collaborating with tech start-ups who bring an agile and entrepreneurial approach needed to quickly inspire change. We’re proud to partner with the WFP on a programme dedicated to identifying and creating solutions to feed the world and evolve our global food and agricultural systems.”
The deadline for applications is 28 February 2019. Apply here.
