Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE LATAM Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the Latin American agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agri food companies in Latin America. The application deadline is 02 December 2021. Link to THRIVE LATAM
awards/prizes
Atlantic Strategy Group — Atlantic Project Awards
The Atlantic Project Awards honor projects that showcase success stories and best practices for a more sustainable Atlantic ocean and Atlantic coastal communities. Projects may focus on blue economy, ocean literacy, marine renewable energy, ocean health and resilient coasts, as well as international Atlantic Ocean cooperation. Eligibility extends to professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations, research institutions, maritime clusters, associations and NGOs. Note that the Awards only showcase funded projects (in progress or completed). Project ideas are not eligible. The winner will be invited to the 7th Atlantic Stakeholder Conference (Ireland, October 2021). The deadline for applications is 07 September 2021. More
Grinnell College — Grinnell Prize 2022
Grinnell College invites nominations for the 2022 Grinnell Prize. The Grinnell Prize of US$50 thousand will be awarded to individuals who show creativity, commitment, and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change. Past nominations have spanned a diversity of social issues related to agriculture and hunger relief, conservation and environment, and many other thematic areas. Nominees may be nationals of any country who have earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) between 2006 and 2022. Nominees must be nominated by a third party. The closing date for nominations is 31 October 2021. About the Grinnell Prize
Access Bank W Initiative — Support for African Female Entrepreneurs
Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa is a women-in-business support initiative that provides financial grants and MBA certifications to women entrepreneurs in Africa. The program invites female entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique and Congo to apply to the next pitching competition. Eligibility extends to female business owners from all sectors. Participants have the chance to win ₦5 million (approx. US$12 thousand) in support of their business idea. Applications have to be submitted by 13 August 2021. Womenpreneur
Global Landscapes Forum — Amazonian Storytelling Competition
TThe Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) hosts an Amazonian Storytelling Competition looking for perspectives from Indigenous peoples and local communities, Afro-descendant peoples, peasants and women, farmers, and community leaders. Topics include deforestation, biodiversity loss, land rights, ecosystem restoration, and food security, among others. The three best stories will receive prizes of €500, €300 and €200 respectively. The competition is open to any young person between the ages of 18 and 35 who is currently living in the Amazon (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela). Stories must be submitted by 31 August 2021. Storytelling Competition
United States Agency for International Development — Digital Storytelling Contest
The Global Leadership and Education Advancing Development (Global LEAD) Initiative invites submissions to the digital storytelling contest to show how youth are using the power of change to make the world a better place. Young changemakers between the ages of 18 and 35 can submit an original, three-minute video or slideshow in Arabic, English, French, or Spanish that tells the story of their youth-led actions to advance their community. Stories must be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the key issues: Climate Action and Food Security/Resilience. Voting will open on the platform on July 1 and close on 23 July 2021. Be aware that early submissions have more chances to get more votes. Global LEAD Digital Storytelling Contest
Empower a Billion Lives — Solutions to Energy Poverty
IEEE Empower a Billion Lives is a global competition aimed at fostering innovation to develop solutions to electricity access. Solutions are expected to be scalable, innovative and sustainable. The competition is open to student groups, companies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations. Winners of the regional round will be provided enough funding to complete a 2-month long field pilot. Global final winners will receive up to $1 million in prize monies. Teams must present their solution concept and a three-minute pitch video until 31 October 2021. Link
Startup Africa — Next Generation Africa
Next Generation Africa is an accelerator program for African startups, innovators, makers, and young innovators who intend to develop products or services for the local economy. The accelerator will select 20 startups to participate in a boot camp week in Kampala, Uganda (August 2021). The project should fit in one of 6 social-impact topics, including Agribusiness & Agritech (farming systems, alternative feed supplies, agri-data business for monitoring and/or planning, new tools for farming and breeding etc.), among others. The startup can be based anywhere in the African continent but its product/service must have potential application in the East African region. The application deadline is 08 July 2021. Know more
African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement — Waterbird Conservation Award 2021
The AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution towards long-term conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds in the African-Eurasian region. The Award is conferred every three years in two categories, institutional and individual. Please note that the AEWA Award 2021 will not be accompanied by a cash prize due to the lack of funding. The deadline for nominations (English, French) is 10 July 2021. AEWA Award
University of Montpellier — Circular Economy Challenge
The Circular Economy Challenge seeks innovations and ideas for producing goods and services in a sustainable way by limiting the consumption and waste of resources and the production of waste. Innovations must respond to the three challenges of sustainability: respectful of the environment, economically profitable and socially acceptable. Research staff at Muse, Agropolis Fondation, the Center INRAE Occitanie – Montpellier, and SATT AxLR are invited to apply. Projects may involve a non-academic partner (companies, associations, communities, etc.). Some proposals will be selected to benefit from funding between €20 thousand and €300 thousand. The closing date is 31 July 2021. Circular Economy Challenge