London, UK: Lineage has launched a competition, the Food Chain Innovation Challenge, for students and start-ups to pitch their innovative technologies or data solutions that address post-harvest food waste.
The Food Chain Innovation Challenge will take place in three major locations: London on 14 November, and Amsterdam and San Francisco on 19 November 19. Students, startups and other relevant candidates interested in participating can submit their applications online until 30 September.
During each event, participants will present solutions aimed at mitigating food waste to a regional judging panel. Judges will select a regional winner, who will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize and a spot in the grand final event on 2 December. One winner will then be chosen to receive the $50,000 grand prize and an invite into a six-month, executive-led incubator program tailored to their unique business goals.
The London event will take place on 14 November at the Science Museum. Lineage’s regional vice president, Claire Walters, will join a panel of judges including Simon Millard, director of food at FareShare; Harriet Lamb, chief executive, Wrap; and Paul Randle, from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leaders at Cambridge University.
To support the aspiring innovators, ReLondon and FoodCycle are also partnering with the Food Chain Innovation Challenge to provide valuable insights and coaching as applicants refine their pitches.
Greg Lehmkuhl, president, Lineage said: “Lineage is constantly looking at how we improve the global management of food storage, transportation and distribution. Beyond our own operational improvements, the Food Chain Innovation Challenge is a platform for us to support the industry’s most promising talent and innovations. By collaborating, we can develop solutions that not only address food waste but also promote sustainable practices for the long term.”
Jeff Rivera, global chief operations officer, Lineage said: “Despite producing enough food to feed the planet, hundreds of millions of people face food insecurity every day. At Lineage, we’re dedicated to transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and feed the world. The Food Chain Innovation Challenge exemplifies this mission, and we’re excited to highlight new solutions and innovations while supporting these entrepreneurs’ journeys to turn their ideas into reality.”
At the events, participants will be asked to pitch their existing ideas across four specific areas: reducing food waste, food preservation techniques, access to nutritious food and data-driven insights and analytics.
For a glimpse into the 2023 Hackathon, the predecessor to The Food Chain Innovation Challenge held in Amsterdam, watch the video below.
