If you're looking for mentorship, an accelerator curriculum, and a community of food and climate-oriented social entrepreneurs to join, then the Food Solutions Challenge is for you!
APPLICATION CLOSED
About the Food Solutions Challenge
The Food Solutions Challenge is back for the sixth year in a row! Net Impact invites teams who are passionate about bringing forward solutions that will impact UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger and Goal 13 – Climate Action. In order to have a secure food future, we must also take meaningful action on climate change, making these two goals deeply interconnected. This challenge is for you if you have an idea for a social enterprise or are already working on an early-stage social enterprise that you want to develop from an idea into a reality.
Up to four teams will be selected as Food Solutions Scholars. Food Solutions Scholars are emerging social entrepreneurs who will further develop their solutions through the 2022 Net Impact Accelerator, an eight-week business accelerator that is designed to grow solutions into scalable enterprises. Participating teams will receive a comprehensive coaching and mentorship experience to prepare them for the final pitch-off in front of a panel of expert judges.
The winning team will receive $7,000 to invest in the next stage of developing their sustainable start-up, with second and third place teams taking home $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.
Challenge Question
We know there is an urgent need to figure out the world’s food and agricultural systems to end hunger and achieve food security. But we also know that those solutions must be deeply sustainable and resilient, meaning solutions to food-related issues must be climate positive. We invite you, the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, to submit your business solutions to the following prompt:
Describe your social enterprise and how it will make simultaneous progress toward achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 – Zero Hunger and 13 – Climate Action
Timeline
Phase 1
- March 15, 2022: Challenge launches, submission form opens
- May 1, 2022: Final submission deadline
- May 13, 2022: Semi-finalist teams selected and notified
Phase 2
- Approx. June – July 2022: Virtual Business Accelerator for semi-finalist team
- Approx. End of July/early August 2022: Final pitch presentation to a panel of expert judges. The winning team will be selected
Benefits
This is a serious challenge with serious benefits. Teams selected to move forward will receive the following:
Mentorship
Industry experts and mentors provide guidance and feedback as finalists develop a roadmap to launching their enterprise
Network
Unlock access to a network of business and industry experts and a community of food and agriculture-oriented social entrepreneurs
Funding
First Place: $7,000
Second Place: $2,000
Third Place: $1,000
How it Works
Step One: Submit a proposal
Participants submit a proposal with a potential solution addressing the challenge statement. Submissions are due no later than May 1, 2022.
Step Two: Become a Finalist!
Up to four teams will be chosen as Food Solutions Scholars and be invited to participate in the 2022 Net Impact Accelerator. Food Solutions Scholars will develop their solutions through the accelerator to grow them into scalable businesses.
Step Three: Pitch-off and win!
The accelerator culminates with a pitch competition in the summer of 2022. Teams will pitch their solutions to expert judges who will determine the winners. The grand prize is $7,000 in start-up funding for your business with $2,000 and $1,000 to the runners-up.
Eligibility Criteria
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Undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals are all welcome to apply
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Teams must have between 2-4 members.
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Because this is an immersive program that will prepare your team with the skills and resources to successfully launch your enterprise, selected teams must commit 6 hours a week, per team, from early June to the end of July 2022.
Questions?
Email us at foodsolutions@netimpact.org