The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) IGNITE Innovation Hub for Eastern Africa, CARE Denmark, DTU Skylab FoodLab and Circle Innovation, powered by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs are leading the IGNITE SEED Innovation Programme in East Africa to support entrepreneurial teams with research-backed ideas focused on innovating food systems with market validation and training support to launch these ideas in the market.
What the Program Offers
Selected teams will have access to the following benefits that will support them to validate their research-backed innovations that strengthen food systems.
- Innovation Programme: Selected teams will participate in the IGNITE SEED Innovation programme for ten months and get access to our unique HCD Lab.
- Innovation Lab: At the end of the HCD Lab, teams will pitch their validated prototype to a panel of experts after which they get access to an intensive business training
- Business training: Participating teams will go through an intensive 4 months entrepreneurship and business training
- Mentorship: Participating teams will be linked with a mentor and industry expert to guide them through setting up formal systems for their ventures.
- Networking: Participating teams will get exposure to the rich WFP and implementing partner networks that can help their ideas to the next level.
What we are looking for
Ideas that addressed food security and had the potential of improving climate resilience for local communities so they can:
Eligibility Criteria
The evaluation process for the IGNITE SEED Innovation programme was based on the following criteria:
- Research backed: The problem or idea is supported by documented research
- Food systems: The idea had to be solving a challenge within the food systems ecosystem
- Level of innovation: The solution solves a food challenge in an innovative way
- Impact: the solution has a strong impact on strengthening food systems
- Team Composition: The team has the right experience and demonstrates commitment to their idea. The team includes a balance of gender.
Applications were reviewed by WFP Regional Bureau, our implementing partners, and external experts. While we were interested in applicants working to address food security and potentially improve climate resilience for local communities, preference was given to those who had research supporting their ideas.