During the UN General Assembly at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting in New York, the UAE announced the latest iteration of the FoodTech Challenge Competition. This pivotal contest aims to foster innovation in three critical areas: food and water, food and energy, and food loss and waste. With a substantial $2 million cash prize and comprehensive support including go-to-market assistance and a strong network of partners, four winning startups will advance and scale their technological solutions within the UAE.
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, emphasized the increasing relevance of agriculture and food production in addressing the global climate crisis. This focus follows significant developments, such as the COP28 Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and a strategic partnership with the Gates Foundation, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to the escalating demands for food, water, and energy.
The FoodTech Challenge, now in its third edition, is poised to address the global food security challenge of feeding an additional 2 billion people by 2050. By identifying and supporting transformative, tech-driven solutions that can thrive in harsh environments, the initiative aims to catalyze change in underserved markets, particularly in the Global South.
The UAE, with its arid conditions, limited arable land, and scarce freshwater resources, serves as a critical testbed for developing sustainable food solutions that could be replicated globally.
Organized by the UAE’s International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and Tamkeen, and delivered in partnership with entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CGI, ne’ma, the UAE’s Food Loss and Waste Initiative, and Silal, the competition fosters a collaborative platform for pioneering agri-tech innovations.
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri and Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, reiterated the UAE’s commitment to leveraging innovation and partnership to accelerate progress towards global food security goals. This commitment is supported by ecosystem enablers like UAE-based startup accelerators and international agricultural organizations.
Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth & Opportunity at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, highlighted the critical global challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition, affirming the foundation’s support for innovative solutions that promote stable food systems worldwide.
The competition has attracted over 1,100 applications from 98 countries in its previous editions, showcasing groundbreaking technologies that range from carbon-negative plant-based proteins to advanced food preservation techniques. Previous winners have gone on to secure substantial funding and expand their operations significantly, demonstrating the impact and success of the FoodTech Challenge.
