World Food Programme and SU Launch Global Impact Challenge
DAVOS/SILICON VALLEY – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is joining forces with Singularity University (SU) to launch a Global Impact Challenge – a call for radical innovations in the fight to end hunger by 2030.
In the words of WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin, “To achieve a world without hunger - the greatest goal of our generation - we must unleash the power of technology and the data revolution for good. Through bold innovation and collaboration we can overcome the persistent challenges that today keep generations locked in hunger and poverty.”
WFP and SU are seeking bold new ways to provide access to local and nutritious food for the most vulnerable people in emergencies. Applicants are being asked to design a solution that can be rapidly deployed when a crisis breaks out. It should provide a sustainable source of nutritious food as quickly as possible – something that can be rolled out fast and at modest cost. And the proposed solution must enable vulnerable families to support their own household food needs, reducing their dependence on external assistance.
Shortlisted winners will be invited to a bootcamp at the WFP Innovation Accelerator in Munich to develop their ideas using lean-startup and human-centred design, aided by WFP’s field expertise. One team will be selected to continue on to SU’s nine-week Global Solutions Program in Silicon Valley, where they will have access to a world-class faculty, mentors and technology labs, and the opportunity to collaborate with other companies and/or transition their solution into a viable company within SU Labs. WFP will also evaluate innovators with high impact for participation in its Innovation Accelerator Sprint Programme, which provides support and funding for a pilot.
“We are very honoured to have developed this new partnership with the WFP, which will bring a powerful network of innovative entrepreneurs and moonshot thinkers together with the most knowledgeable experts in the field of food. Together, we will realize abundant food production and distribution for all,” said Co-founder and Chairman of SU, Dr. Peter H. Diamandis.”
This call for solutions is open to anybody, anywhere: entrepreneurs, technologists, scientists, students, and passionate members of the public. It stems from a synthesis between what SU calls “ exponential thinking”, rooted in Silicon Valley, and WFP’s globally-minded, specific expertise. This challenge offers creative, public-spirited individuals around the world a chance to take their ideas from inspiration to implementation.
The Global Impact Challenge is open for applications from 18 January to 10 March, 2017. WFP and SU are seeking a global cohort of innovators from diverse backgrounds and geographies. Solutions can range from concept idea to fully implemented innovation. Apply directly online at: https://su.org/gic/2017/wfp/
High-resolution images can be downloaded here.
A video message from Dr. Peter H. Diamandis can be downloaded here.
ABOUT WFP
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
WFP’s Innovation Accelerator is a creative, collaborative and fast-paced environment that invites the private sector, civil society and WFP entrepreneurs to develop high-impact innovations for a world without hunger. Based in Munich, the Innovation Accelerator supports innovations across all WFP operations, provides funding and brings in hands-on innovation expertise. It applies leading techniques such as lean start-up thinking and human-centred design.
Follow us on Twitter @WFPInnovation | @wfp_media
ABOUT SINGULARITY UNIVERSITY
Singularity University (“SU”) is a global learning and innovation community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and build an abundant future for all.
Our collaborative platform empowers individuals and organizations to learn, connect, and innovate breakthrough solutions using accelerating technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital biology. Our offerings include educational programs, conferences, innovation workshops, corporate and startup accelerators, social impact programs, and online news and content.
Our global community spans more than 110 countries and includes entrepreneurs, corporations, development organizations, governments, investors, and academic institutions. With over 370 impact initiatives, the SU community is driving positive change in the areas of health, environment, security, education, energy, food, prosperity, water, space, disaster resilience, shelter, and governance.
A certified benefit corporation, SU was founded in 2008 by renowned innovators Ray Kurzweil and Dr. Peter H. Diamandis and is partnered with leading organizations such as Google, Deloitte, Genentech and UNICEF. SU is headquartered at NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley. For more information, visit: SingularityU.org. Join us on Facebook and Twitter @SingularityU.
For more information please contact (WFP email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):
Diane Murphy, SU/Mountain View, CA, (Diane.Murphy@su.org) Tel. +1 310 658 8756
Katharina Weltecke, WFP/Rome, Tel +39 06 65133108, +49 172 410 56 77
Andre Vornic, WFP/Rome, Tel. +39 06 65132281, Mob. +39 3499801068
Gregory Barrow, WFP/London, Tel. +44 20 72409001, Mob. +44 7968 008474
Bettina Luescher, WFP/Geneva, Tel. +41 22 917 8564, Mob. + 41 79 842 8057
Gerald Bourke, WFP/New York, Tel. +1-646-5566909, Mob. +1-646 525 9982