Agrifoodtech Challenge
The change starts now! With one-third of all food wasted, it’s time to act. We’re looking for solvers, researchers, and partners to revolutionize the food industry, drive innovation, and create a positive environmental impact.
Be part of the transformation!
What are we looking for?
We want to connect the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem with startups willing to create revolutionary solutions for the major challenges of the food and agricultural industry.
If you have an idea that drives technological advancement and leaves a positive mark on the environment, this is your moment!
Problem solvers who advanced to the pitch presentation phase.
Agrifoodtech Challenge 2024 Winners
1. Tecde
Tecde, a startup that uses artificial intelligence and neural networks to automate and optimize processes in agricultural industries, won the HACEB challenge. This challenge called for the development of business models based on technological solutions that reduce waste in Colombian households and, at the same time, monetize the data generated in those households, positively impacting the end-user experience. Tecde implemented a computer vision system to identify the ripeness of perishable foods inside refrigerators and generate alerts for consumers, promoting timely consumption and reducing waste.
2. Global Meals
A company that transforms lives through food innovation with social impact won the Blanquita Challenge, which sought to develop a functional, indulgent, and affordable food made from rice bran. The goal was to create a product that not only provides added value but also offers significant nutritional benefits and meets the needs of the modern consumer. Global Meals’ solution was to design a portfolio of functional products incorporating rice bran. They developed the physicochemical properties of the ingredient to achieve its integration into baked goods, soups, instant beverages, and snacks, thereby strengthening the food industry’s ingredient offering and revaluing the use of food upcycling.
3. Universidad del Valle
The University of Valle, for its part, won the IPF challenge, which sought the application of natural sweeteners (Tagatose) in functional food products with prebiotic effects, particularly in the bakery and pastry sector. This had to be achieved without altering the product’s sensory properties. To this end, Univalle proposed an approach to replacing sucrose in bakery products with sweeteners and prebiotic fibers. This combination provides a sweetness similar to sucrose and improves the product’s texture and volume. The prebiotic fibers help retain moisture, increasing softness and freshness. This method could be adjusted to maintain dough stability and ensure an acceptable sensory profile.
Themes
Regenerative Agriculture for a Sustainable Future
Reduce food waste!
Innovative solutions to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain.
From technologies that extend the useful life of products to strategies for reusing by-products.
Let’s transform waste into value!
Registered Corporations
Regenerative agricultural practices to restore soils and promote biodiversity.
Sustainable in the long term and applicable to various crops and environmental conditions.
Help us cultivate a more
sustainable future !
Registered Corporations
Smart foods for people's health and well-being
Do you have a proposal that challenges the limits of ingredients?
We seek innovative solutions in ingredients, formulations, and processes that, in addition to nourishing, offer health benefits, prevent diseases, and improve quality of life.
Registered Corporations
Are you ready to transform the future of food?
Corporate Challenges
Relive the live stream where we shared the terms of reference for the call for proposals
What do we offer?
Opportunities for collaboration with corporations
We connect entrepreneurs and startups with industry leaders in the Valle del Cauca region. You’ll have the opportunity to test and validate your solution in collaboration with leading companies, receiving direct and valuable feedback.
Access to resources and financing
We facilitate access to resources, networks, and financing opportunities to boost the implementation of your solutions in the market.
Visibility and promotion
We promote your project through our channels, media outlets, and events, giving you the visibility you need to attract more partners and potential clients.
Global ecosystem
Leverage our extensive national and international network to establish key connections and capture the attention of potential investors and strategic partners… During the closing event, you will have the opportunity to present your proposal to a select audience of leading companies and investors in the agrifoodtech sector in the Cauca Valley.
Key Dates
ABOUT US
The Valle del Cauca Governorate and NIDO have joined forces to lead a regional strategy aimed at transforming the future of the agri-food industry. At a time when food security, efficient and sustainable production, and nutrition are becoming increasingly urgent challenges, our collaboration seeks to connect innovators and corporations to address the sector’s most pressing issues.
Our commitment is to boost the Valle del Cauca region’s global leadership in the agri-food industry by promoting innovative solutions that address the sector’s current and future needs. Together, we are creating a collaborative ecosystem that drives technological advancement and generates a positive environmental impact toward a more sustainable future.
Collaboration
REDDI
Reddi Colombia is an organization dedicated to strengthening research, development, and innovation capacity in Colombia. Through collaboration between companies, universities, and research centers, Reddi promotes projects that foster technology transfer and the development of innovative solutions in various sectors. Its mission is to catalyze regional growth and competitiveness by supporting value creation through science and technology.
EATABLE ADVENTURES
Eatable Adventures, a leading global food technology accelerator, identifies and supports the world’s most innovative and disruptive food startups, helping them grow in the global market. With the goal of making a difference in the food sector and driving the adoption of more efficient and sustainable models, Eatable Adventures develops over 50 corporate and government programs annually and boasts a vibrant community of more than 25,000 founders. Promoting synergy between innovation, ethics, and sustainability, the company works to advance, develop, and democratize technologies in the agri-food sector to build the food system of tomorrow: sustainable, efficient, healthy, and ensuring food security on a global scale.
