Food & AgTech Innovation Challenge 2026

This global challenge seeks innovative technologies that can improve food and agricultural productivity, use resources more efficiently and strengthen resilience across food systems. Applicants should demonstrate a clearly defined problem, differentiated technology, measurable impact, customer value and a credible commercialisation pathway. Relevant solutions include food preservation and packaging, post-harvest loss reduction, food safety and traceability, precision agriculture, sensors, artificial intelligence, agricultural biologicals and automation. The selected winner or winning solution can receive a USD 150,000 challenge prize. Additional investment of up to USD 1.5 million may be considered for selected opportunities, subject to due diligence and investment approval. The competition is particularly relevant to ventures capable of demonstrating practical benefits for Canadian producers, food businesses or consumers.

Carrot Ventures, operated by Verdex Capital, in collaboration with XPRIZE Canada Hub is offering this competition to Innovators, researchers, startups and other technology developers with solutions relevant to Canadian agriculture or food systems across Worldwide, Canada. It is designed for ventures working in Agriculture, Food Technology at the Startup stage.

The opportunity offers USD 150,000 prize; potential follow-on investment up to USD 1.5 million, with support including USD 150,000 challenge prize, Potential investment up to USD 1.5 million, subject to due diligence and approval. Applications are scheduled to close on 2026-12-31. Review the eligibility, required materials and application guidance below before continuing to the organiser’s website.

• USD 150,000 challenge prize
• Potential investment up to USD 1.5 million, subject to due diligence and approval

• Innovators, researchers, startups, technology transfer offices, corporations, producers and technology developers
• Technology validation, commercialisation and venture creation
• Must demonstrate a credible pathway to benefit Canadian agriculture or food systems

1. 1Read the eligibility criteria twice before drafting.
2. 2Quantify your impact — numbers speak louder than adjectives.
3. 3Tell a founder-first story. Panels remember people, not products.
4. 4Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline.