The UAE has launched the third edition of its FoodTech Challenge at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting in New York, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly. The competition aims to identify and support innovative, tech-driven solutions to address global food security issues, particularly in harsh environments.
With the world’s population expected to grow by an additional two billion people by 2050, food security is becoming a critical concern. The UAE, with its arid desert climate and limited natural resources, is positioning itself at the forefront of developing solutions that could benefit not only the country but also regions facing similar challenges worldwide.
The FoodTech Challenge, now in its third installment, will offer a shared cash prize of $2 million, its largest to date. Organised by the UAE Presidential Court’s International Affairs Office and Tamkeen, the initiative is supported by key partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, the UAE’s Food Loss and Waste Initiative (ne’ma), and agri-tech firm Silal.
This year’s competition will focus on three key areas: food and water, food and energy, and food loss and waste. Four winning start-ups will receive not only the cash prize but also extensive go-to-market support, including access to a network of partners to help scale their technologies within the UAE and beyond. These innovations are expected to contribute significantly to global food security, especially in underserved markets in the Global South.
At the launch, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, highlighted the urgent need for innovation in agriculture and food production. “After the historic COP28 Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, and the announcement of the UAE’s partnership with the Gates Foundation on agricultural innovation, the critical role of food systems in the climate crisis has never been clearer,” she said. “With increasing demands for food, water, and energy, we need bold action and innovative thinking to transform our global food systems.”
Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, stressed the importance of partnership and early-stage investment in driving progress. “In the UAE, innovation is part of our DNA. By connecting early-stage innovators with a network of partners, we are accelerating the development of solutions that will help address global food security challenges.”
Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth & Opportunity at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, also praised the initiative, citing the rising threat of food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly as highlighted in the Gates Foundation’s recent Goalkeepers report. “We are delighted to partner with the FoodTech Challenge to support innovation in agri-tech, ensuring all countries can benefit from a food-secure future.”
Previous editions of the FoodTech Challenge have attracted over 1,100 applications from start-ups in 98 countries, with technologies ranging from carbon-negative plant-based proteins to AI-based food waste reduction solutions. Winners have gone on to achieve significant success, with Iyris (formerly Red Sea Farms) raising over $34 million since its victory and deploying its technology across Abu Dhabi’s Silal farms.
Applications for the 2024 competition close on 12 December, with finalists to be announced in April 2025. Entrants can submit their applications at www.foodtechchallenge.com.
