Food in Emergencies, a Global Impact Challenge

• The more portable, the better
• The faster the solution produces food, the better
• The smaller the solution, the better
• The cheaper, the better—for comparison: humanitarian assistance organizations usually spend around $75 per family/per month to provide a family of four with basic food
• The less dependent on external resources such as materials, water, and electricity, the better
• The more nutritious the food the solution produces, the better

• The challenge is open to anyone, anywhere in the world
• You must be age 21 or older on the first day of the GSP
• You should be able to conduct yourself professionally in written and spoken English
• You should be able to participate in the 4-day bootcamp in Munich from April 18-21, 2017
• You should be able to participate in the entire GSP17 program from June 17 – August 17, 2017

We’re looking for innovators from all walks of life with proven grit and experience. You’re an ideal candidate if you:

• Are an experienced entrepreneur who has already turned over at least one successful company, and are ready to do it again in the impact space
• Are an accomplished technologist, scientist, or change agent and are recognized as a thought leader in your chosen field(s)
• Have a background in or a passion for solving household food production in a disaster context
• Are prepared to commit to launching a startup around your innovation and remaining attached to that venture, wherever the journey may lead post-GSP, based on your GSP team project

We will evaluate submissions using the following criteria:

• Degree of solution’s relevance to this challenge theme
• Adherence to the key design principles listed above
• Feasibility, viability, and coherence of implementing the idea
• Entrepreneurial and innovative potential, with a focus on technological novelty
• Applicant’s leadership experience and quality, profile, achievements, and potential

• CV or resume
• Summary of accomplishments
• An abstract of the project idea
• A video URL of the project idea
• Pitch deck

• Applications open: January 18, 2017
• Applications close: March 14, 2017
• Finalists announced: March 21, 2017
• Bootcamp: April 18-21, 2017
• Winners announced: Early May, 2017

This Global Impact Challenge (GIC) is an open call for moonshot innovations and startups using exponential technology for household food production in a displacement context with an ability to positively impact millions of people in 10 years. Shortlisted winners will receive a full sponsorship to attend the WFP Innovation Accelerator bootcamp and one team will move on to SU’s transformational Global Solutions Program.

No, ideas do not have to be at a certain stage to be submitted. Your idea can range from a concept with immense potential, to an invention you have patented or a startup that you have founded.

No, ideas do not have to be at a certain stage to be submitted.

Intellectual property resulting from a GIC belongs to the applicant(s).

The review process will consist of three phases. The first phase involves a review of all applications to determine shortlisted winners. Secondly, the five to ten winners will be invited to a four-day boot camp in Munich, Germany, hosted by WFP’s Innovation Accelerator. The third phase involves final judging at the bootcamp to select two winners to move on to Singularity University’s Global Solutions Program.

Yes, the GIC winners will be expected to continue working on their winning project or a different idea around the food challenge.

Travel and lodging expenses are covered for shortlisted winners to attend the bootcamp and for the eventual winners to attend GSP.

In all cases where a GIC winner cannot attend both programs, the winner forfeits his or her seat to the Bootcamp and GSP, and the offer will be extended to the first runner-up.

The challenge is open to anyone, anywhere in the world. You must be age 21 or older on the first day of the GSP, must be fluent in written and spoken English, able to participate in the 4-day bootcamp in Munich from April 18-21, 2017, and the entire GSP17 program from June 17 to August 17, 2017. Visa sponsorship letters can be provided.

Up to two team members can attend the GSP.

There is no cash prize. However, the candidates receive significant support and investment through both WFP and Singularity University. Shortlisted innovators whose ideas demonstrate the potential to accelerate the fight to end hunger may work with Singularity University, or continue into the WFP Innovation Accelerator Sprint Programme which includes support and funding for a preliminary pilot.

WFP and Singularity University are collaborating on the Global Impact Challenge.