Advance your start-up in the UAE and beyond
Applications for the FoodTech Challenge are closed
Advance your start-up in the UAE and beyond
About the FoodTech Challenge
The FoodTech Challenge is a global competition that identifies and supports leading early-stage, tech-driven solutions poised to transform food systems in arid, hot, and increasingly challenging environments.
It has garnered over 1,100 applications from start-ups across 98 countries in just two editions.
Now in its third edition, the FoodTech Challenge is offering its largest prize yet – $2m in cash – to help winners make tangible progress in scaling their start-ups.
In addition to an emphasis on the UAE market, the competition includes explicit pathways for impact in underserved markets in the Global South.
The FoodTech Challenge 3.0
Our Partners
The FoodTech Challenge has partnered with leading entities, both in the region and beyond, that are driving forward the global food security agenda through advanced R&D, start-up support, investment, policy, education, and more.
A Premier Global Competition
Testimonials
Richard Beks
Co-founder and CCO of Orbisk“Winning this competition will enable us to accelerate our growth in the Middle East. We will use the platform, the networking, and the prize money to start production facilities here in the UAE and attract new talent locally”
Dr. Anne Le More
United Nations Food Systems Champion“Foodtech challenges such as this one organized in Abu Dhabi are amazing in bringing innovation, creativity and talent, all of which are really necessary if we want to drive food security comprehensively”
Danielle Nierenberg
President, Food Tank“The FoodTech Challenge is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop food systems for the UAE that are nourishing and equitable, and can help solve the climate crisis. I was so excited to see the innovation during the first challenge and look forward to this year’s submissions!”
Ryan Lefers
CEO, iyris“The FoodTech Challenge was huge for us in terms of building our company profile in the UAE, increasing external exposure overall, and developing a pipeline for business development. The process had more depth than other competitions we’ve participated in previously.”
