Timeline
Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open to all participants above 18 years old.
We are specifically looking for early-stage agri-food tech start-ups with solutions related to the food-water-energy nexus.
To be eligible to participate, your start-up should:
- Address challenges related to one of our three key focus areas (“Food & Water”, “Food & Energy” or “Food Loss & Waste”)
- Have not yet gone for a Series-A funding round
- Have a workable minimum viable product
- Have been in operation for less than 5 years (Founded after January 2019)
- Have no more than 25 permanent, full-time employees
To be shortlisted as a finalist, your start-up needs to exhibit a unique and sustainable technological solution, a strong plan for commercial viability, relevance to hot, arid, and challenging environments like the UAE, and a clear implementation roadmap for the UAE and Global South.
Start-ups may also be considered eligible to apply on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility questions can be addressed during the application process on the competition platform.
Prize Details
The FoodTech Challenge prize consists of $2m cash equity-free cash and grants to support the development of solutions in the UAE and the Global South. The prize will be shared between four equal winners:
$400k Cash Prize: $100k awarded to each winner to support the ongoing development of their start-up
$800k UAE Focused Grants: $200k awarded to enable immediate local impact by further developing, testing, and deploying the winning solution in the UAE with the support of FTC’s local impact partners
$800k Global South Focused Grants: $200k awarded to each winner to advance the further development, testing, and deployment of the winning solution to their selected markets in the Global South, with the support of FTC’s global impact partners
In addition to the cash prize, finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the UAE for the finale event. Non-winning finalists will receive a $15K prize for their participation. They will have the opportunity to engage with FoodTech Challenge partners’ in-kind support and acceleration programs, including start-up accelerators Hub71, Sheraa, and startAD; the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture; and Al Tamimi & Company.
Please note that prior to awarding, all Finalists will be asked to provide more detailed activities and budgets for how they will use the Focused Grants, should they be named Winners.
FAQs
What is 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.
Why the UAE?
The UAE is rapidly emerging as a global leader in food security. The nation has implemented a proactive and multifaceted strategy to address the growing challenges facing global food systems.
Led by the National Food Security Strategy 2051, a comprehensive roadmap outlining the UAE’s ambition to achieve global leadership in food security by 2051, it prioritizes agtech as a key driver of economic diversification and aims to bolster the entire food value chain, from production to consumption.
Why the Global South?
In regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where a significant portion of the population suffers from food insecurity, advanced agrifood technology can play a transformative role.
Agriculture is a primary source of livelihood in many parts of the Global South, and innovations in this sector can unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
What are the competition's focus areas?
The FoodTech Challenge is focused on three areas:
- Food & Water: Innovations that optimize water use in agriculture, protein production, and food processing, enhance drought resistance, and increase crop yields in arid environments
- Food & Energy: Technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of food production by improving energy efficiency across the value chain
- Food Loss & Waste: Solutions that reduce food loss through optimized collection, processing, storage and distribution methods, address consumer behaviors to reduce waste, and mitigate emissions related to food decomposition
How can I apply to the FoodTech Challenge?
To participate in the FoodTech challenge, create an account on the competition’s submission portal at https://foodtechchallenge.agorize.com/
After you have created an account and verified your email address, you will be able to login and access the application form. Here, you’ll need to provide information about your organization, and a detailed Pitch Deck featuring additional company information.
Can I change my details after registering for the challenge?
Yes, you can update certain details after registering. To make changes, log in to your account and go to your participant profile. There, you can edit your personal information, team details, and any other relevant information related to your participation.
How many team members are allowed to participate in the FoodTech Challenge?
Only one representative per startup should apply for the Challenge. This person will serve as the main point of contact and represent the startup throughout the competition.
Will I receive updates about the Challenge?
Yes, registered participants will receive email notifications with any updates related to the Challenge, sent to their registered email address. You can also reach out to the Challenge Admin directly, using the messaging feature on the platform, if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Am I eligible to participate?
To be eligible for the FoodTech Challenge, your startup must meet the following criteria:
- Have a workable minimum viable product, service, or solution
- Be less than five years old (founded after January 1, 2019)
- Have fewer than 25 employees
- Have not yet raised Series A funding
- Address at least one of the three competition focus areas:
- Food & Water
- Food & Energy
- Food Loss & Waste
Who are the judges for the FoodTech Challenge?
Shortlisted applicants will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of agri-food tech and commercial experts that will review and score the submissions.
Who decides who the winners are?
Winners will be selected by a panel of finale judges, who will review team submissions and make all award decisions.
Winners of the FoodTech Challenge are final and are not subject to clarification or disputing.
What are the judging criteria for FoodTech Challenge applicants?
Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria as they progress through the competition:
- Deployability in arid, hard-to-farm geographies like UAE: Must target a food security challenge in a way that is feasible for hot, arid, low-arable land geographies
- Pathway to UAE Impact: Must have a credible, actionable plan to implement in the UAE market.
- Pathway to Global South Impact: Must have a credible, actionable plan to implement across a market(s) in the Global South.
- Technology: Must be based on proven technologies, with a preference for proprietary/novel tech solutions.
- Commercial viability: Must be scalable, investable, and financially viable.
- Sustainability: Must demonstrate efficient use of natural resources
What is the prize for winning the FoodTech Challenge?
The FoodTech Challenge’s prize component is composed of the following elements, which will be split evenly amongst the 4 winners:
- $400k Cash Prize: $100k per winner in unrestricted cash to support the ongoing development of their startup
- $800k UAE Focused Grants: $200k per winner to enable immediate local impact by further developing, testing, and deploying the winning solution in the UAE, with the support of FTC’s local impact partners, including the Emirates Foundation and Silal.
- $800k Global South Focused Grants: $200k awarded per winner to advance the further development, testing, and deployment of the winning solution to their selected markets in the Global South, with the support of FTC’s global impact partners, including the Gates Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative.
Is there a prize for Non-winning Finalists?
Yes! The remaining 6 finalists will be awarded a sum of $15k each to support the ongoing development of their solutions and to recognize their efforts to participate in the FoodTech Challenge.
What other forms of support are available to Winners?
Each winner will have the opportunity to engage with the FoodTech Challenge partners’ in-kind support and acceleration programs, including:
- HUB71: Fast-tracked entry for winners into the 2nd round of evaluation for HUB71’s Access Program.
- Sheraa: Fast-tracked access for winners into the S3 Incubation Program assessment process.
- Al Tamimi & Company: Each winner will receive up to 20 hours of pro-bono support to assist their company set-up in the UAE, (excluding any applicable licensing or registration fees).
How will I know if my startup is selected for the Finale?
The top 10 teams advancing to FTC’s finale will be announced on April 2024 through an announcement on the platform. Be sure to regularly check the platform for updates.
How do I prepare for the final pitch?
You need to prepare for a 5-minute pitch in English. Also, anticipate questions for a 5-minute Q&A session with the judging panel.
When and where will the awards ceremony take place?
The FoodTech Challenge awards ceremony will take place in May 2025. Further details on the event will be announced in early 2025.
The FoodTech Challenge will cover transportation and accommodation for a representative of finalist teams to attend the finale in the UAE.
