UAE Announces US $2 Million Global FoodTech Challenge Prize to Attract Cutting-Edge Agri-Tech Solutions
PR95282
DUBAI, UAE, Apr. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--
The second edition of the global FoodTech Challenge, that seeks to find the
next wave of technology innovations on the cusp of transforming traditional
agriculture practices, efficiently and sustainably, was launched at the
EXPO2020 Dubai, and today unveils the competition's pooled prize amount of US
$2 million.
Targeted at early-stage start-ups, ranging from international university-based
research teams to individual entrepreneurs and small firms, the competition
invites innovations related to two critical tracks: 'food production' to
address the availability and abundance of food and explore 'next gen', nutrient
rich alternatives, and 'food loss and waste' to ensure sustainability across
the food supply chain and the planet more broadly.
With a pooled prize of up to US $2 million, the winners will be offered an
opportunity to scale-up their business model within the UAE, supported with
R&D, start-up acceleration, commercial incentives and mentorship to take
winning concepts from lab-to-market. Applications are being encouraged from
around the world, with a priority on agri-tech concentrated nations.
The FoodTech Challenge is organised by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and
Environment and Tamkeen, an Abu Dhabi entity that partners with leading local
and international institutions to deliver projects that enrich the UAE's
social, cultural and educational landscape. For this edition of the
competition, they are joined by ASPIRE, the programme management pillar of the
Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), which oversees technology related
R&D funding for Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. Each track is also being supported
by a local champion, with ADQ and Silal being the track partners for increasing
food production, and Emirates Foundation the track partner for reducing food
loss and waste.
Commenting on the launch, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate
Change and Environment, said: "The importance of food security has never been
more pertinent, with supply chain challenges and climate change disrupting the
world as we know it. The pressure is on for us to rethink food for the future,
to rethink resilient agricultural practices, and to leverage the best of
technological advancements in doing so. The FoodTech Challenge brings us closer
to finding some of those solutions, acknowledging the critical role that
innovation has to play in addressing our shared challenges".
Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen, added: "Responding to the UAE's long-term
and far-reaching food security ambitions requires bold approaches that foster
creative ideas, newfound models and extensive coordination with the global
agri-tech ecosystem. The FoodTech Challenge brings together a powerful
consortium of multi-sector partners who drive progress – supporting
sustainable, technology-driven, commercially viable solutions to thrive here in
the UAE".
With a focus on breakthrough technologies, His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai,
Secretary General of ATRC, said: "The UAE is one of the most exciting places in
the world right now when it comes to innovation and harnessing the power of
cutting-edge technology to help find the answers to some of society's most
pressing issues. The FoodTech Challenge is yet another fantastic example of
this with the UAE hosting the brightest minds on the planet as they come
together to collaborate, explore, and push the boundaries in agri-tech."
The competition is additionally supported by Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi
Residents Office, The Catalyst Accelerator, and Khalifa Fund for Enterprise
Development.
Applications for the Challenge will remain open until June, when submissions
will be shortlisted and the top 10 teams given an opportunity to present their
business cases at the Awarding Ceremony in November. Entrants can submit their
applications via www.foodtechchallenge.com.
The first edition of the FoodTech Challenge saw 437 applications from across 68
countries, with winners announced from Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the
UK.
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1777878/FoodTech_Challenge_Logo.jpg
Source: FoodTech Challenge
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