Launched during the 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, the Innovate for Impact Challenge seeks innovative entrepreneurs worldwide to present cutting-edge technologies that can transform agriculture. This initiative supports the World Food Prize Foundation’s goal of advancing solutions to combat global hunger and inspire actionable change.
Key Highlights
- Global Opportunity: Open to startups worldwide, focusing on sustainable and innovative agricultural technologies.
- Live Pitch Event: Finalists will present their AgTech solutions at the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue.
- Grand Prize: The winning startup will receive $50,000 to scale their impact on global food security.
Benefits of the Challenge
Participants in the Innovate for Impact Challenge will gain:
- Financial Awards: $50,000 for the winner, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place.
- Global Visibility: Finalists will showcase their solutions to over 1,500 food and agriculture leaders from 70+ countries at the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue.
- Networking: Opportunities to connect with investors, industry leaders, policymakers, and fellow innovators.
- Mentorship: Access to expert guidance in agriculture and technology.
- Travel Support: Covered travel expenses for finalists attending the competition.
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Eligibility Criteria
The challenge is open to early-stage, for-profit AgTech startups that meet the following requirements:
- Be in the early development phase, from validated concepts to pre-Series A funding.
- Have at least one founder dedicated full-time to the project.
- Demonstrate innovation, market potential, and alignment with sustainability objectives.
Selection Process
Startups will be evaluated based on:
- Innovation Impact: The uniqueness and significance of the proposed solution.
- Market Potential: The viability and demand for the solution in the agricultural sector.
- Sustainability Contribution: Alignment with environmental and social sustainability goals.
- Scalability and Replicability: Potential to expand and adapt across different regions and contexts.
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Competition Timeline
Applications Open: January 21, 2025
Submission Deadline: April 15, 2025
Top 10 Announcement: June 2025 at DialogueNEXT India
Public Voting: June–July 2025
Top 3 Finalists Announcement: August 2025
Final Pitch Competition: October 21–23, 2025, at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa
Required Application Documents
Applicants must provide:
- A completed application form detailing their innovation.
- Relevant business and financial documentation.
- A pitch deck outlining the startup’s vision, impact, and scalability.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible startups can apply through the World Food Programme (WFP) platform at my.reviewr.com
For more information, visit the official WFP webpage.
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