AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge 2024

AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is program designed to give you an edge in validating and deploying your agri-tech venture in Egypt.

The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is a program designed specifically for early-stage agri-tech ventures in Egypt. At this stage, you must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or Proof of Concept (POC). This program will support and prepare you to build a solid go-to-market strategy through technical validation and access to the market. CGIAR scientists with a demonstrated willingness to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to their innovation can apply and benefit from the project offers.

The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is powered by CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) and co-organized with CGIAR Centers–The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, ICARDA, IWMI, and IFPRI–and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) of Egypt. This project is endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt (MOHESR) and supported by PRIMA, Climate Resilient Africa Fund (CRAF), Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), and CGIAR Initiatives and units operating in the MENA region.

Priority Areas

Your agri-tech innovation must align with one of the priority areas:

• Digital agriculture and
• precision farming
• Agri-finance solutions
• Sustainable value chain development
• Capacity building tools
• Efficient irrigation water management

What’s in it for you?

• Through the AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge, you will receive the tools and step-by-step support to build the foundations of an agri-tech venture for scalable growth in Egypt.
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of agriculture in Egypt
  • Benefit from a fully funded, 4-day immersive bootcamp
  • Connect with a network of international partners and agribusinesses
  • Be exposed to expert guidance from CGIAR scientists and industry experts
  • Access a sponsored 6-month acceleration program, combining entrepreneurial training and technical assistance
• Reserved for acceleration program participants
  • Test and validate your solution on the ground with end-users for up to 6 months
  • Receive up to 300,000 EGP as an equity-free grant provided by ASRT
  • Gain exposure to investors and market opportunities

Impact

The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is a program designed with end-users at the center, tailored to meet the market demands of Egypt.

• Attract
  • Attract global innovations to tackle Egypt’s agriculture challenges
• End-users
  • Provide farmers and value chain actors with deployable, affordable solutions
• Environment
  • Create an enabling environment that attracts investments and de-risk the technology development for innovations
• Empower
  • Empower rural communities, women, and young entrepreneurs
• Propel
  • Drive economic growth by creating employment and fostering a skilled workforce
• Support
  • Align efforts with the objectives of the Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy Towards 2030

Who should apply?

The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is open to national and international innovation teams that meet the below criteria:

• Are pre-commercial or conceptual stage with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or Proof of Concept (POC)
• Have developed a novel solution that addresses a real market demand in Egypt and falls under at least one of the 5 priority areas
• Are the sole inventors and copyright holders of the solution
• Are purpose-driven practitioners, entrepreneurs, PhD/post-doc students, researchers or CGIAR scientists with a demonstrated willingness to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to their innovations
• Are either a registered company or affiliated to a research institute/center or university
• Are fully committed to the program and be ready to travel to Egypt for the activities on the ground
• Can clearly articulate how the technology relates to one or more of CGIAR’s Impact Areas /or research activities
• Require at least two members to be proficient in English.
• Note: Selected applicants in the growth stage and beyond with a sustainable business model may be invited to pitch their solutions to investors at the demo day.

For more information, visit CGIAR.