The UAE has announced the 10 finalists of the FoodTech Challenge (FTC) 3.0, its flagship global competition to identify and scale the most promising agri-food technologies designed for arid and resource-scarce environments.
Selected from 1,215 submissions across 113 countries, the finalists were revealed during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Their innovations span sustainable food production, waste reduction, crop health, and resource optimisation.
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, highlighted the UAE’s unique role as a testbed:
“In the UAE, we’ve transformed our own challenges of arid land and water scarcity into strengths, creating a springboard for solutions that can help communities in climate-vulnerable regions everywhere.”
Co-Chair Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen, added that the initiative goes beyond competition:
“The FoodTech Challenge is a platform that connects innovators with the partners, expertise, and investors to take ideas from concept to market.”
The diverse group of finalists represent seven countries, each offering solutions with the potential to reshape food systems in the UAE and beyond:
Akorn Technology (USA) – Natural produce coating to extend freshness.
Ecorich Solutions (Kenya) – 24-hour, affordable fertilizer production from waste.
Flybox (UK) – Modular insect farms converting waste into protein.
Homeport (UAE) – Nanobubble technology to boost crop and livestock yields.
HungreeApp (USA) – Surplus food-sharing platform.
HyveGeo (UAE) – Biochar for soil restoration in circular systems.
Jabu (France) – AI to detect and prevent food waste.
P-Vita (Egypt) – Nutrient extraction from palm waste.
Seadling (Malaysia) – Seaweed as a sustainable food and crop enhancer.
Permia Sensing (UK) – AI tree-monitoring for palm yield protection.
Before the grand finale later this year, finalists will undergo a tailored mentorship programme, including partner-led workshops and connections with investors, market-entry facilitators, and UAE-based implementation partners.
A judging panel of global leaders—including HE Mariam Almheiri, Rima Al Mokarrab, HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, and representatives from the Gates Foundation, CGIAR, AGRA, and Silal—will select four winners, who will share a USD 2 million prize package along with in-kind support to refine and scale their technologies.
Past winners of the FoodTech Challenge have already raised USD 48 million in follow-on funding, tested solutions in over 50 UAE pilot projects, and expanded into international markets.
As the UAE positions itself as a global hub for food security innovation, the FoodTech Challenge 3.0 underscores how collaboration between start-ups, industry leaders, and policymakers can drive lasting impact—transforming food systems not just for arid regions, but for a climate-challenged world.