By Andi Anderson
The World Food Prize Foundation has introduced the Innovate for Impact Challenge, a global competition designed to uncover groundbreaking agricultural technologies that address critical issues in food security and sustainability.
This inaugural competition seeks early-stage, tech-driven startups with innovative ideas capable of transforming agriculture and supporting resilient food systems worldwide.
Organized in collaboration with America’s Cultivation Corridor, the Challenge highlights the importance of emerging agricultural technologies in addressing global food challenges.
It invites applications from startups across the globe, with a special focus on the Global South. Winning entries will demonstrate potential for significant innovation impact, scalability, and sustainability in agricultural development.
Mashal Husain, incoming President of the World Food Prize Foundation, stated, “This competition provides a platform for innovative thinkers to showcase their solutions, gain valuable exposure, and collaborate with experts in the field to turn their ideas into reality.”
The competition is open to for-profit startups in the early stages of development, ranging from validated concepts to pre-Series A funding. Each startup must have at least one founder working full-time on the project.
An esteemed panel of judges from the agricultural sector will evaluate entries based on criteria such as innovation, market potential, sustainability, and scalability.
The top three finalists will present their solutions at the prestigious 2025 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa. The first-place winner will receive $50,000, while the second and third-place winners will be awarded $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Travel expenses for finalists will also be covered.
Applications for the Innovate for Impact Challenge are open until April 15, 2025. For detailed guidelines and to apply, visit World Food Prize Innovate for Impact Challenge. This initiative offers an exciting opportunity to spotlight innovative ideas and connect with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers.
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Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle