Deadline: April 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Innovate for Impact Challenge: Driving AgTech Innovation 2026. The World Food Prize Foundation, in collaboration with America’s Cultivation Corridor, hosts 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
The Challenge is 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
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
Application timelines
- Applications Open: January 21, 2026
- Submission Deadline: April 15, 2026
- Top 10 Announced: July 16, 2026
- Top 10 are required to submit pitch videos and financials
- Virtual Public Voting: July 16-25, 2026
- Builds excitement about the Challenge and awareness for the Top 10
- Top 3 Announced: August 5, 2026
- Top 3 must have a representative travel to Des Moines for the live pitch
- Final Competition: October 20-22, 2026, at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa
For more information, visit Innovate for Impact Challenge.
