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