The Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 is now open for entries!
Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 Open Call: Connecting youth-led innovation to the agri-food sector
Call duration: 14 October to 17 November 2022
O Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 is officially open for recruitment !
The Global AgriInno Challenge, a worldwide competition for young entrepreneurs and innovators, showcases and promotes smart digital innovation talent. With the last two sessions successfully held in 2020 and 2021, the Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 will continue to provide startups with a lively platform to exchange experiences, improve knowledge and offer the opportunity to join the huge network of co-operation around the world.
Are you interested in solving challenges and difficulties in the field of digital agriculture? Are you ready to present your innovative ideas to the world? Do you want to gain connections with diverse mentoring supported by UN agencies, government, leading angel investors and academic experts?
Take your chance and send in your team's application by 1 7th of November 2022 (24:00 CEST).
With the theme " Tackling the challenges related to the transformation of agri-food systems in line with the FAO's top four", 6 teams will be selected and invited to the final event in Hangzhou, China, in 30 November 2022, with all related fees covered. Winning teams will be rewarded with seed funding.
Remote participation is available for international teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
See the guidelines below and register your team now! If you have any questions or need additional information, please get in touch
- Fund
In 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading, causing huge risks in nutrition and food security. With all these major challenges, including abnormal climate change, economic depression, conflict and war, rising inequality and degradation of natural resources, the global agri-food system has been suffering even more severe shocks under the impact of the pandemic.
The new and growing agricultural revolution led by information technology has injected a powerful new vitality into the progress of agri-food system transformation. The FAO Strategic Framework seeks to support the 2030 Agenda by transforming towards MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
As one of China's oldest, most selective and prestigious higher education institutions, Zhejiang University has always been actively dedicated to rural development and has made many efforts to drive the transformation and modernisation of the agricultural industry, support small farmers, increase the productivity of agricultural production, increase farmers' incomes, improve poverty alleviation, promote rural revitalisation and achieve the sustainable development of agriculture.
2. Objectives
With the aim of identifying, accelerating and scaling up innovative youth-led business models and innovative solutions to agri-food system issues, FAO and Zhejiang University have co-organised the Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 to achieve SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The Challenge will implement the following actions:
a) transform rural development through innovative and digital solutions within the framework of the Four Bests (better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life);
b) share the latest information, knowledge and best practices in rural digital transformation innovations, digital technologies and business models;
c) building an enabling environment through Public-Private Partnerships and opportunities for co-creation with diverse participants, professionals and experts;
d) engage and empower young agri-entrepreneurs and innovators to face development challenges through FAO's global networks and partners with continuous support during and after the innovation challenge.
3. Benefits for participants
The teams selected to take part in the Innovation For Good and Pitch Event in China will benefit from:
- 2-day professional development around your team's solution through a co-creation approach with other young entrepreneurs/innovators and experienced experts from around the world. All expenses related to participation in Hacking For Good and pitch events in China will be covered, including a) travel expenses: return flight and/or train; local transport fee (taxi/bus/metro); b) accommodation and meals; c) applicable visa application fees for international participants.
- Access to open data sets from the FAO and other partners, such as the FAO Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, the FAO Digital Services Portfolio, the Data Lab for Statistical Innovation and Earthmap, a tool based on Google Earth Engine, etc.
- Advice from experienced experts from the UN, international organisations, the private sector and academia, and the chance to dialogue with high-level representatives from leading companies and organisations.
- The chance to meet the main angel investors from venture capital funds and business leaders from the agri-food sector who can invest in your solutions.
- The chance to build your global network in digital agriculture with a multitude of stakeholders.
- The best winning teams will receive start-up funding.
- Become an alumnus of the Global AgriInno Challenge.
4. Who can apply?
GAC 2022 is open to young people who are developing and deploying digital innovation products and services that can accelerate the implementation of Four Betters and the transformation of agri-food systems.
5. Selection criteria:
- The team is registered as a company or legal entity;
- Have less than USD 1 million in turnover;
- Have been in operation for less than 5 years;
- Have an innovative, technology-based solution or business model with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 7 and 9 (provide evidence that the project is beyond the MVP stage);
- Be committed to continuous involvement throughout the duration of the programme;
- At least one group leader must be under 35 (Teams with women farmers are highly encouraged).
Note: any adjustments to the criteria will be updated through the FAO E-AGRICULTURE . In addition, all participants will be notified in good time by e-mail.
6. Languages
English e Chinese are the two working languages of the Global AgriInno Challenge 2022. However, all proposals and presentations will be conducted in English.
7. How to enrol?
The team leader needs to send a) the form registration fee ; b) the presentation of innovation solution (in PPT format); ec) a video to global_agriinno_challenge@zju.edu.cn and copying digital-innovation@fao.org until 10th November 2022 (24:00 CEST).
The documentation to be submitted must include (in English):
- Application form (you can scan the QR code in item 12 or use the attached form)
- Innovation solution (PowerPoint of no more than 12 slides, up to 250 words per slide, Microsoft YaHei Font, font size no smaller than 16)
- Solution summary (up to 250 words)
- Identifying problems (analysing the challenges of transforming the agri-food system)
- Top four categories (identify which of the top four you apply your digital solutions to?)
- Mission, vision, values of the project (the type of agricultural activity/sub-sector targeted)
- Technical model (how to face the challenges related to digital agriculture and the agri-food system?)
- Time justification (why is this the best time?)
- Situation analysis (who is your main competitor and why is your solution better or more innovative than others?)
- Business plan (target group, description of results and related activities, adoption strategy, methods applied, partners, sustainability and gender consideration)
- Financial situation (capital raised, capital required, revenue analysis)
- Development planning in phases (what is the potential contribution of your solution in three years? how do you plan to achieve it? what are the milestones?)
- 1-2 minute explainer video:
- How will your idea or solution contribute to the Four Best and help benefit vulnerable and rural populations? Answer this question in a 1-2 minute video. Upload the video online to a video sharing platform (YouTube, Google Cloud, Youku, Baidu Cloud or others) and share the link address.
8. Timetable
Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 schedule
9. Mentors and juries
- Mentors:
- Academic experts: FAO, Zhejiang University and other stakeholders in the field of digital agriculture and innovation.
- Business mentors: business leaders from the main companies in sectors linked to agribusiness; angel investors from the main venture capital funds with extensive experience of investing in smart agriculture.
- Judges: professional experts from academia, international organisations and government, investors and business leaders from the agri-food sector.
10. Organisers' structure
Host: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
Zhejiang University (ZJU)
With the support of: Hangzhou Municipal Government
11. Data Protection
The Global AgriInno Challenge working group attaches great importance to the responsible and transparent management of personal data.
12. Scan the QR code to apply
Resources
Contact
Source: Global AgriInno Challenge 2022 applications now open | E-Agriculture (fao.org)
