Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge 2021
Are you an innovator interested in solving challenges
in the agri-food sector by utilizing or conserving agrobiodiversity? If yes,
submit your application!
The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge aims
to recognize new products, services, and best practices that can help farmers,
consumers, and food companies to increase production effectiveness,
competitiveness, and resilience while conserving agrobiodiversity.
In an open innovation approach,
we aim to:
- Connect
different actors who are motivated to improve global and community-based
food systems.
- Attract
and support innovators to scale up their solutions through a long-term
research and development collaboration with CGIAR and its
partners.
- Identify innovators
who could help advance research by sharing ideas and solutions.
The challenge will highlight leading innovations that
are helping to use, conserve, and consume agrobiodiversity in ways that are
better for people and for the environment. The competition is open to
individual founders, private companies, and institutions. FindMore!
The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge is being
organized by The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, with the
support of the Italian Government, and in partnership with the International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), The Lexicon, International Institute
for Tropical Agriculture Business Incubation Platform, CIHEAM Bari, and the
Italian Institute of Technology.
ReadMore !
Applicant Criteria
Applicants must be: individuals, private companies,
or institutions responsible for an innovation with a demonstrated
efficiency using novel tools, products, or services to enhance and promote
sustainable food and agriculture.
- Startups
- International
Organizations (IOs)
- National
Agriculture Research System (NARS)
- Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs)
- Private
Companies
- Universities
- Individuals (e.g.
farmers, processors, engineers, etc.)
ReadMore !
TIMELINE
Selection Process
- Call
for ideas announced. Submissions will be accepted until
September 30, 2021
- The
10 shortlisted contestants will be notified by email. Guidelines will be
provided for shortlisted contestants to prepare descriptions and pitches
to be uploaded on the Congress platform.
- All
applicants will be invited to attend and network at the 2nd International
Agrobiodiversity Congress.
- The
10 shortlisted contestants will be invited to take part in the Pitch
Day Competition on Monday, November 15th. Contestants
will be asked to make a final pitch and attend a Q&A session with the
Selection Committee, investors, partners, and a global audience.
- The
five winning innovations will be awarded a prize on November 15th.
- The
winning innovations will also be notified by email and must respond to the
notification email to accept the prize. If the Secretariat does not
receive a response from winners within seven (7) days of the notification,
the Secretariat reserves the right to reallocate the prize to another
applicant.
The Selection Committee is chaired by the Deputy
Director for Research & Innovation of Bioversity International and CIAT and
four representatives of non-state actor/s from the field of research, academia,
youth agriculture entrepreneurship, civil society, and/or the private sector.
Entries
will be selected using a scoring system. The Selection Committee will rate
entries on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the lowest (poor) and 5 the highest
score (great).
Preference will be given to innovators who have
developed solutions that are implemented in fragile states.
Awards and Benefits
Awards will be conferred during a ceremony at the
Congress. Prizes will be presented by the Director General of the Alliance of
Bioversity International and CIAT and a high-level representative of the
Government of Italy.
For Applicants:
Selected winners of the Agrobiodiversity Innovation
Challenge will receive both in cash and in-kind prizes.
Cash prize –
Two grants/free equity of USD 5,000 to each of the top two innovators based on
level of excellence and innovation – (IFAD)
Mentoring –
Support in fine tuning business models and developing business plans, along
with access to science and business development teams – (CGIAR/ IITA
BIP)
Partnership –
Partnering with a CGIAR scientist or team to provide guidance and feedback on
innovation – (CGIAR/ Alliance, IIT)
Matching – Participating
in a Shark Tank/Dragon’s Den-like pitch to IFAD country teams for opportunities
to match for further product development and/or scaling (IFAD)
Expertise –
In-kind, post-award support will be provided to equip innovators with tools, technical
assistance, strategic guidance, technological due-diligence, mentorship, and
access to a global community of scientists and to field operations to test and
scale solutions – (CGIAR/ Alliance, IIT)
Training and Tuition –
Three winning ideas (team or member) will receive two full scholarship worth
USD 25,000 each, and one additional full tuition assistance for participation
in the Master I Level Open Innovation & Youth Entrepreneurship course from
CIHEAM Bari – (CIHEAM Bari)
Final allocations of the awards will be announced on
September 30, 2021.
For Startups and Founders:
Visibility and recognition –
Shortlisted teams will be featured on the Agrobiodiversity Congress website,
reaching a global audience including international investors and organizations,
as well as have the opportunity to pitch virtually to the Selection
Committee.
Networking –
Teams will have the opportunity to meet and network with technical experts,
international organizations, investors, private sector companies, and research
institutions.
Corporate activities -
Winning teams may be invited to opportunities for additional learning or
exposure associated with the Agrobiodiversity Congress and Accelerate for
Impact Platform, such as participating in social media campaigns, case studies,
and webinars to foster the open innovation model and sustain entrepreneurship
and innovation.
FURTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CALL
For details, please visit the OFFICIALWEBSITE OR APPLYNOW
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