Deadline: April 15, 2025
Applications for the World Food Prize Foundation Innovate for Impact Challenge 2025 are now open. The World Food Prize Foundation, in collaboration with America’s Cultivation Corridor, is proud to launch the Innovate for Impact Challenge—a pioneering initiative dedicated to accelerating agricultural technology (AgTech) innovation. This Challenge seeks to identify and support early-stage, tech-driven startups whose transformative solutions address the critical challenges of global food security and sustainability.
Unveiled at the 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, the Innovate for Impact Challenge invites forward-thinking entrepreneurs from around the globe to present breakthrough technologies aimed at revolutionizing agriculture. This initiative aligns with the World Food Prize Foundation’s mission to elevate innovations and inspire action toward alleviating global hunger.
Prizes
The top three finalists will receive:
- 1st Place: $50,000
- 2nd Place: $10,000
- 3rd Place: $5,000
All finalists will gain:
- Unmatchable global exposure by presenting their solutions at the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, which anticipates a gathering of over 1,500 food and agricultural leaders from more than 70 countries.
- Unique opportunities to engage with investors, industry experts, fellow entrepreneurs, policymakers and potential partners from around the world.
Eligibility
Open to early-stage, for-profit startups in the AgTech space. Eligible companies must meet the following requirements:
- Be in early stages of development, from validated concepts to pre-Series A funding;
- Have at least one founder working full-time on the project;
- Demonstrate innovation, market potential and alignment with sustainability goals.
Evaluation Criteria
Startups will be evaluated on:
- Innovation Impact: The novelty and significance of the solution
- Market Potential: Viability and demand within the agricultural industry
- Sustainability Contribution: Alignment with environmental and social goals
- Scalability and Replicability: Ability to expand and adapt across diverse contexts
Application
You must complete the application form before you will be allowed to submit your application. Please make sure all required fields (marked with a red asterisk) are filled with the correct information before clicking “SUBMIT”.
For more information, visit Innovate for Impact Challenge.
