With the assistance of Care Denmark and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) IGNITE Innovation Hub, Circle Innovation, and DTU Skylab Foodlab have launched the eagerly awaited second edition of the IGNITE SEED Innovation program in East Africa to support entrepreneurial teams with research-backed ideas focused on innovating food systems with market validation and training support to launch these ideas in the market.
The ten-month innovation initiative will concentrate on creators and thinkers with ideas supported by research in the area of food systems that have a high potential for upheaval and influence on food security in East Africa.
Benefits:
The benefits will include:
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- Innovation Program: Selected teams will participate in the IGNITE SEED Innovation programme for ten months and get access to our unique Human Centered Design (HCD) Lab.
- Innovation Lab: At the end of the HCD Lab, you will pitch your validated prototype to a panel of experts and get the opportunity to be selected for our intensive business training.
- Business training: Qualifying teams will go through an intensive 4 months entrepreneurship and business training.
- Networking: Qualifying teams will get exposure to the rich WFP and implementing partner networks that can help their ideas to the next level.
Eligibility:
The IGNITE SEED Innovation programme is open for applications for research based food-systems innovators in East Africa that meet the following criteria:
- Research-backed idea or invention in the food systems sector.
- At least two team members based in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, or Somalia working on the idea.
- Interest in transforming the idea into a venture.
- Passion about disrupting food systems to achieve zero hunger.
- Be available for programme activities for the duration of the innovation programme, including in-person and online sessions.
- Female entrepreneurs and non-academic innovators are specifically encouraged to apply
- Target countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Somalia.
Evaluation Criteria:
The IGNITE SEED Innovation programme is looking for High-potential, research-backed ideas or interventions with a focus on disrupting the following areas in the food system.
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- Improve local food production, quality, or nutrition.
- Reduce or eliminate post-harvest loss or food waste.
- Increase access to water for productive use or contribute to water saving
It will evaluate entrepreneurs that submit their innovations based on the following criteria:
- Founded in academic, industry-led or experimental research
- Impact on strengthening regional food systems
- Feasibility and viability of implementing the idea
- Potential to achieve initial traction within the innovation programme
- Clarity of vision and the idea
- Team strength, experience, and commitment
