Deadline: June 7, 2025
Are you a bold youth innovator, a passionate agri-tech entrepreneur, or a startup with a vision to transform global food systems? Applications are open for the United Nations FAO Global AgriInno Challenge 2025. The Global AgriInno Challenge 2025 is your stage to shine, scale, and shape the future of sustainable agriculture!
The Global AgriInno Challenge is an international competition powered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Zhejiang University (ZJU). This year’s theme is: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Digital Public Infrastructure for Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Advancing climate resilience, supply chain efficiency, and nutritional security.
Join a global movement of youth, women leaders, and agri-tech trailblazers using open technology and digital innovation to build more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems.
Benefits
- Mentorship
- 48-hour co-creation bootcamp with global mentors
- Expert coaching from UN agencies, investors, and private sector leaders
- Seed Funding
- Chance to showcase your solution on a global stage
- Up to 30k dollars Seed funding for winning teams
- Recognition
- Chance to showcase your solution on a global stage
- All travel, visa, lodging, and meals covered for finalists attending in China
- Networking
- Access to the Global AgriInno Challenge alumni network
- Build relationships with agencies, venture capitalists, industry leaders, and fellow innovators
Eligibility
- Open to youth innovators (aged 18–35) and startup teams;
- Women-led teams and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds;
- Agri-tech entrepreneurs with solutions for smallholder farmers and marginalized groups;
- Anyone with a tech-driven idea that can revolutionize food and farming.
Selection Criteria
- Innovation: Solutions should demonstrate strong alignment with the challenge theme, offer original use of emerging technologies, and be accessible and inclusive to smallholder farmers and marginalized groups.
- Market Potential & Economic Value: Projects will be assessed on their potential for market entry, scalability, profitability, and ability to generate economic opportunities such as employment or investment.
- Social, Environmental Impact & Sustainability: Ideas must show how they will improve livelihoods, promote sustainability, reduce food loss or pollution, and contribute to climate resilience and social inclusion.
- Project Team: Teams will be evaluated on their operational capacity, relevant experience, technical skills, and commitment to diversity and gender equity.
Application
Submit your agrifood systems innovation online. The winners will have an opportunity to pitch their innovations at the Science and Innovation Forum in Rome in October 2025.
For more information, visit UN FAO Global AgriInno Challenge.
