The UAE has launched the latest installment of its FoodTech Challenge competition at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting in New York, held during the UN General Assembly (UNGA). With the world needing to feed an additional 2 billion people by 2050, the competition seeks to address pressing global food security concerns.
The FoodTech Challenge identifies and supports promising early-stage, tech-driven solutions that have the potential to revolutionize food systems, particularly in challenging environments. This year’s challenge, FoodTech Challenge 3.0, is the biggest yet, offering a substantial cash prize and organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen. It’s delivered in partnership with influential organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, ne’ma (UAE’s Food Loss and Waste Initiative), and Silal, a leading UAE agri-tech company.
FoodTech Challenge 3.0 expands its focus to three critical areas: food and water, food and energy, and food loss and waste. Four winning start-ups will share a $2 million cash prize, gain access to go-to-market support, and benefit from a robust network of partners. These winning teams will then implement, refine, and expand their innovative tech solutions within the UAE, setting the stage for scaling them to underserved markets in the Global South and contributing to a more food-secure future for all.
The UAE, with its arid desert climate, limited arable land, and scarce freshwater resources, faces challenges that are increasingly relevant to other nations. Developing solutions to nourish a rapidly growing population under these constraints will provide replicable models for much of the world. The competition is a Commitment to Action with CGI and was launched by FoodTech Challenge Co-Chairs, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court of the UAE, and Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen.
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “After the historic COP28 Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, and the announcement of the partnership between the UAE and the Gates Foundation on agriculture innovation, the critical role of agriculture and food production in the wider climate crisis is increasingly coming into focus. With the rising demands for food, water, and energy in the face of climate change, we need bold action, innovative thinking, and a transformative approach to our food systems.”
She further stressed the inclusivity of the FoodTech Challenge, adding, “Through the FoodTech Challenge, we are ensuring that every country and region has the opportunity to participate in the exchange of ideas and investments on the critical issue of food security.”
Rima Al Mokarrab highlighted the UAE’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, stating, “In the UAE, innovation is part of our DNA, and we’ve learned that the key to accelerating the pace of progress lies in combining forward-thinking ideas with partnership, inclusivity, and early-stage investment. This approach has proven effective in driving transformative outcomes, both locally and globally.”
She emphasized the FoodTech Challenge’s approach to connecting promising innovators with a vast network of partners, saying, “The FoodTech Challenge harnesses this philosophy by identifying and connecting promising early-stage innovators with a wide network of partners. We are providing the resources and support needed to scale their solutions, fast-tracking efforts to meet the global goals for food security.”
Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth & Opportunity at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the foundation’s focus on addressing food insecurity and malnutrition, stating, “The effects of food insecurity and malnutrition are in sharp focus for us at the Gates Foundation, with our annual Goalkeepers report highlighting child malnutrition as one of the world’s worst health crises. As food insecurity rises globally and climate change continues to disrupt the sensitive task of raising crops and livestock, we must support innovative solutions and technologies that ensure stable food systems. We are delighted to partner with the FoodTech Challenge and support their work to foster innovation and transformative thinking in agri-tech, with the aim of ensuring all countries reap the rewards of a food-secure future.”
In just two previous editions, the competition has received over 1,100 applications from start-ups across 98 countries. Previous participants have showcased remarkable technologies, including innovative techniques for developing carbon-negative plant-based protein, reducing food waste using AI image recognition, and maintaining the cellular structure of food while hyper-freezing.
Winners of past editions have achieved remarkable successes, raising additional funding, launching joint ventures, and successfully deploying their solutions. Iyris (formerly Red Sea Farms) is a prime example, having raised over $34 million since winning the competition and implementing its technologies across Silal farms in Abu Dhabi.
Applications for the competition close on December 12, 2024, with finalists being selected in April 2025. Interested participants can submit their applications at www.foodtechchallenge.com.
Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2515289/FoodTech_UAE.jpg
Source: FoodTech Challenge
