Deadline: August 14, 2024.

They are seeking groundbreaking solutions that empower smallholder farmers in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa to reduce post-harvest loss.

Shell Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) aims to increase farmer incomes by reducing post-harvest losses in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. To accomplish this objective, it is necessary to implement scalable, cost-effective solutions that cater to the post-harvest requirements of smallholder farmers. These solutions should encourage sustainable agricultural practices while harnessing the benefits of clean energy technologies.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applications may be submitted by any entity including startups, universities, non-profit organizations or for-profit companies.

BENEFITS

1. This prize offers more than just a $50,000 financial reward for the winning applicant.
2. Finalists gain access to a network of experienced industry leaders and receive media exposure to showcase their innovation.
3. The winner of the Post-Harvest Loss Challenge will be honored at an awards ceremony during New York Climate Week on September 25th.
4. The event will provide a networking opportunity for industry leaders.  The winner will also benefit from access to Factor E’s post investment support .
5. Gain the resources and recognition you need to accelerate your agritech journey, grow your innovation, and create impact. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

They prioritize innovative solutions with the potential to create substantial impact within their target markets.  While not all criteria are mandatory, they evaluate submissions based on the following key factors:

• Innovation: The innovation must be for smallholder farmers. Submissions should demonstrate a novel approach to solving a problem faced by farmers in emerging markets. Innovative solutions are defined as technologies, business models, hardware and/or software that have the potential to become commercially viable.
• Solution Validation: They are seeking solutions that have undergone successful testing, either in a controlled laboratory environment or directly in the field.
• Global Applicability: Innovations can come from any geography globally but must have relevance for direct application in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa with the ability to scale to other emerging markets in the future.
• Gender Impact: They prioritize solutions with a demonstrably positive impact on female farmers. 
• Scalability and Reach: The ideal solution should have a clear path to scale with significant commercial returns in the future. The technology should have a direct economic impact with the potential to empower over 1 million farmers and demonstrate future return on investment (ROI).
• Farm-Level Implementation: The solution should be designed for use by farmers, not through retail channels.
• Minimal Behavioral Change: Solutions with a low barrier to adoption are preferred. They should require minimal adjustments to farmers’ existing routines.
• Financial Traction: Evidence of progress towards financial sustainability is a positive factor. Prior fundraising success is also considered.
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): They look for well-developed technologies at or beyond the validation stage, with preferably existing paying customers.
• Founding Team: A strong, balanced, and diverse founding team with a proven and visionary leader (CEO) is crucial.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL LINK