World Food Prize Foundation Launches $50,000 "Innovate for Impact" Challenge for AgTech Startups

The World Food Prize Foundation, in partnership with America’s Cultivation Corridor, has introduced the "Innovate for Impact Challenge," a pioneering initiative to foster innovation in agricultural technology (AgTech) with a grand prize of USD 50,000 for the most innovative solution. This challenge seeks early-stage, tech-driven startups with transformative solutions that could address global food security and environmental sustainability.

The Innovate for Impact Challenge, launched at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, is open to AgTech startups from around the world that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the foundation’s goal of fighting hunger. By focusing on technology that boosts agricultural productivity and promotes sustainability, the initiative hopes to find solutions that can reshape food systems and secure the planet's food future.

In October 2025, the top three finalists will showcase their innovations at the prestigious Borlaug Dialogue, a global forum attended by industry leaders, policymakers, and investors. This event offers them a chance to pitch their groundbreaking ideas on a worldwide stage, garnering critical support and exposure. The challenge promises a USD 50,000 grand prize for the top startup, intended to help accelerate their AgTech project’s impact. Additional prizes include USD 10,000 for the second-place startup and USD 5,000 for third place.

The competition is open to for-profit startups in the early development stages, ranging from validated concepts to pre-Series A funding. Each startup must have at least one founder committed full-time to the project. Evaluations will focus on the innovation's impact, potential market reach, sustainability, performance, scalability, and adaptability.

Starting February 2025, the challenge will open its doors to applicants, who will have until April to submit their entries. The finalists will be announced in June, with the final event scheduled in Des Moines in October. This timeline allows startups ample preparation to develop and refine their solutions before presenting them at the Borlaug Dialogue.

This initiative stands as a vital opportunity for startups to get financial support, global recognition, and invaluable connections with leaders in the AgTech sector. By nurturing these pioneering ideas, the Innovate for Impact Challenge aims to foster technologies that can make a lasting difference in the fight against hunger.