The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) IGNITE Innovation Hub, Circle Innovation, and DTU Skylab Foodlab, with the support of Care Denmark and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have launched the highly anticipated second edition of 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.

 

The ten-month innovation programme will focus on inventors and innovators with research-backed ideas in the food systems sector with a high potential for disruption and impact towards food security in East Africa. 

What We Are Looking For

We invite applications from innovators and researchers who have research-backed innovations addressing food systems in East Africa.

 

The call for applications is open for teams with food system ideas grounded in research, whether from academia or practical experience, even if they haven’t formally registered their businesses yet.

 

We especially encourage applications from youth, women-led teams and innovators from underserved populations based in East Africa.

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Program Benefits

The benefits will include:

    • Innovation Program: Selected teams will participate in the IGNITE SEED Innovation programme for ten months and get access to our unique Human Centered Design (HCD) Lab.
    • Innovation Lab: At the end of the HCD Lab, you will pitch your validated prototype to a panel of experts and get the opportunity to be selected for our intensive business training.
    • Business training: Qualifying teams will go through an intensive 4 months entrepreneurship and business training.
    • Networking: Qualifying teams will get exposure to the rich WFP and implementing partner networks that can help their ideas to the next level. 

Eligibility Criteria

The IGNITE SEED Innovation programme is open for applications for research based food-systems innovators in East Africa that meet the following criteria:

 

    1. Research-backed idea or invention in the food systems sector.
    2. At least two team members based in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, or Somalia working on the idea.
    3. Interest in transforming the idea into a venture.
    4. Passion about disrupting food systems to achieve zero hunger.
    5. Be available for programme activities for the duration of the innovation programme, including in-person and online sessions.
    6. Female entrepreneurs and non-academic innovators are specifically encouraged to apply
    7. Target countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Evaluation Criteria 

The IGNITE SEED Innovation programme is looking for High-potential, research-backed ideas or interventions with a focus on disrupting the following areas in the food system.

While all solutions are invited to apply, priority will be given to ideas that address food security and improve climate resilience for local communities so they can:
 
    • Improve local food production, quality, or nutrition.
    • Reduce or eliminate post-harvest loss or food waste.
    • Increase access to water for productive use or contribute to water saving

It will evaluate entrepreneurs that submit their innovations based on the following criteria:

 

    1. Founded in academic, industry-led or experimental research
    2. Impact on strengthening regional food systems
    3. Feasibility and viability of implementing the idea
    4. Potential to achieve initial traction within the innovation programme
    5. Clarity of vision and the idea
    6. Team strength, experience, and commitment

Ignite Seed Innovation

Programme Timeline

APPLY NOW HERE

FAQ

1. How do I apply for the IGNITE SEED Innovation Programme
  1. Review the eligibility criteria
  2. Click on "Apply Here"
  3. Complete the application form
  4. Click on “Submit” to submit your application
2. What are the key dates to keep in mind?

Applications open: 04-September-2023

Information Webinar on the programme:  20-September-2023, 3:00pm - 4:00pm EAT

Applications close: 09-October-2023

3. Who is eligible to apply?

The IGNITE SEED Innovation programme is open for applications for research-based food-systems innovators in East Africa that meet the following criteria:

 

    1. Research-backed idea or invention in the food systems sector
    2. At least two team members based in either Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia or Somalia working on the idea
    3. Interest in transforming the idea into a venture
    4. Passion about disrupting food systems to achieve zero hunger
    5. Be available for programme activities for the duration of the innovation programme, including in-person and online sessions
    6. Female entrepreneurs and non-academic innovators are specifically encouraged to apply
    7. Target countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Somalia
4. How many teams will be selected to proceed to the different stages of the programme?

For the first round, 15 teams will be chosen to take part in HCD Lab. At the end of the HCD Lab, 7-10 of the 15 will proceed forward to the second round of the programme.

5. What is the selection criteria?

Entrepreneurs that submit their innovations will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

 

    1. Founded in academic, industry-led or experimental research
    2. Impact on strengthening regional food systems
    3. Feasibility and viability of implementing the idea
    4. Potential to achieve initial traction within the innovation programme
    5. Clarity of vision and the idea
    6. Team strength, experience, and commitment
6. At what stage should my innovation be to be eligible for this opportunity?

The innovation can either be at:

 

    • Ideation
    • Prototyping
    • Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
    • Testing Stage
7. What are the benefits of this programme?

The benefits will include: 

 

    1. Innovation Programme: Selected teams will participate in the IGNITE SEED Innovation Programme for ten months and get access to our unique HCD Lab.
    2. Innovation Lab: At the end of the HCD Lab, you will pitch your validated prototype to a panel of experts and get the opportunity to be selected for our intensive business training
    3. Business training: Qualifying teams will go through an intensive 4 months entrepreneurship and business training
    4. Networking: Qualifying teams will get exposure to the rich WFP and implementing partner networks that can help their ideas to the next level.
8. What language will the programme be conducted in?

The entire programme from selection, assessment, and support will happen in English.

9. Are there costs associated with programme participation?

There are no costs associated with participation in this programme.

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