Meet young innovators revolutionizing agrifood systems in the Global South
The collaboration between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Innovation Factory and the World Food Forum (WFF) aims to identify and promote youth-led startups that leverage AI, machine learning, and advanced algorithms to address challenges in agrifood systems with a focus on start-ups from the Global South.
Selection criteria for the start-ups include the following metrics:
- Innovation and impact: The uniqueness of the AI solutions to address agrifood systems challenges. The solutions can focus on but are not limited to the following areas:
- Precision agriculture: using AI to analyze data from sensors and drones to optimize planting, fertilization, watering, and harvesting.
- Supply chain optimization: using AI to streamline logistics, reduce food waste and ensure timely delivery.
- Food safety and quality: using AI to monitor and optimize food safety and enhance traceability throughout the supply chains.
- Predictive analytics: using AI to forecast and predict weather and market trends to help farmers make more informed decisions.
- Team: team’s experience and credentials in deploying AI based solutions and their technical capabilities. Furthermore, a founder or C-level executive should be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of submission of the application.
- Business Viability: The robustness and sustainability of the business model based on the maturity level of the startup.
If you are a youth-led start-up with novel AI-powered solutions that can improve agrifood systems in the Global South, don’t hesitate to apply!
Benefits for start-ups
The Winner of the session receives:
- AI for Good Innovation Factory Grand Finale ticket at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025
- Leaders Pass to attend the AI for Good Global Summit 2025
- Exhibition booth at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025
- Pitching opportunity in the Frontier Stage at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025
- Featured Start-up in the Innovation Factory Exhibition on the AI for Good Neural Network
- Exclusive follow-up Mentoring from judges after the session
- Networking opportunities with the UN and other potential business partners
About the World Food Forum (WFF) and WFF Youth Innovation Lab
The World Food Forum (WFF), launched in 2021 as an independent network of partners hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The World Food Forum’s (WFF) Youth Innovation Lab supports youth-led innovation, offering visibility, capacity development and funding to elevate, develop and scale high impact solutions to transform agrifood systems. The annual Startup Innovation Awards (SIA) is one of the WFF Youth Innovation lab initiatives that supports young innovators who are harnessing the power of technology to drive the sustainable transformation of our agrifood systems. In collaboration with diverse partners, the SIA provides winners with financial support, capacity development, visibility and monetary awards to elevate and scale their solutions.
WHAT IS AI FOR GOOD INNOVATION FACTORY?
AI for Good Innovation Factory is a UN-based startup pitching/acceleration platform to help start-ups grow and scale their innovative AI-powered and SDG-driven solutions, by providing them with opportunities of business matchmaking, mentoring, and fundraising.
For those who are seeking ground-breaking solutions from start-ups, it is an excellent platform to explore opportunities to meet promising ventures and collaborators.
Learn more about the AI for Good Innovation Factory pitching competition throughout 2024-2025, leading up to the Grand Finale in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit 2025.