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Applications are Now Open for the 2024 GAIN AGRI-Business Innovation Challenge. This challenge is a valuable opportunity for Nigerian agritech startups to gain support, funding, and mentorship to scale their solutions and make a significant impact on the food supply chain in Nigeria. If you meet the requirements and are passionate about addressing food safety and supply chain challenges, apply now for the 2024 GAIN AGRI-Business Innovation Challenge.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002, has partnered with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC) to introduce the Agribusiness Innovation Challenge.
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This initiative aims to attract agritech startups with innovative solutions for improving the food supply chain in Nigeria.
Challenge Overview
The Agricultural business Innovation Challenge seeks to identify, develop, and scale innovative solutions that address food safety challenges and enhance the food supply chain.
The goal is to meet the needs of Nigeria’s growing population while tackling climate change challenges. As part of GAIN’s Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples project, the challenge also provides technical assistance training to women and youth-led startups, aiming to strengthen their capacity, improve access to financial services, and develop innovative business concepts to improve food supply chain efficiency in Nigeria.
Requirements
- Eligibility: Open to all agri-tech startups in Nigeria.
- Target Group: Women and youths aged 18-35 years, with a strong encouragement for female applicants.
- Innovation Focus: Startups must have agribusiness innovations that address and solve food supply chain challenges in Nigeria.
- Commitment: Shortlisted candidates must be willing to commit to all programme deliverables.
- Testing Locations: Finalists must be willing to test and replicate their solutions in Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Ibadan.
- Business Registration: All applicants must have their businesses registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Ineligibility: Previous beneficiaries of the programme are not eligible to apply.
Benefits
Shortlisted early-stage startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) will undergo a structured support process, including:
- Pitch Readiness Bootcamp: Preparation for presenting their innovations effectively.
- Technical Assistance Programme: Specialized training to enhance business operations.
- Deal Day: Opportunities to connect with potential investors.
- Demo Day: Showcase their innovations to a broader audience.
- Mentorship Community: Access to a network of experienced mentors.
- Equity-Free Grant: A ₦20,000,000 grant to support their business without equity dilution.
Application Deadline: 26th, July 2024.