Applications Open for UN FAO Data for Farm Value Global Challenge 2025

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• Applications are now open, with the submission deadline set for 25 August 2025.
• The challenge seeks startups offering scalable, data-driven solutions that support smallholder farmers by structuring farm-level data into actionable insights and ensuring fair compensation for data contributions.
• Selected startups will benefit from workshops, mentorship, exclusive access to the Data Refinery platform, and the chance to pitch at high-profile international events: the FAO Science & Innovation Forum in Rome (16 October 2025) and Y Science at Slush in Helsinki (19 November 2025).
• The winning startup will receive a €5,000 cash prize, along with increased visibility and networking opportunities within the global agrifood innovation ecosystem.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the University of Helsinki’s Viikki Food Design Factory, has launched the Data for Farm Value Global Challenge 2025.

This global initiative aims to support startups harnessing farm-level data in innovative ways, unlocking value for smallholder farmers who often produce vital insights but remain excluded from the data-driven agrifood economy.

The programme seeks to strengthen the link between agricultural data and smallholder farmers. To achieve this, it calls for fair business models that integrate farmers into compensation mechanisms within the wider agrifood data ecosystem.

(Read Also: AGCO Foundation, CNFA Launch $450,000 Program to Back Young U.S. Agri-Food Innovators)

Startups are invited to:

• Develop scalable digital solutions to collect, structure, and present farm-level data in accessible and widely used formats.
• Create business models that ensure farmers are included and fairly rewarded for their data contributions, enabling them to retain ownership while trading or selling their data.
• Connect farm-level data with public and private sector initiatives to drive sustainability, economic value, and resilience across the agricultural value chain.

Benefits include:

• Workshops on pitching and achieving product–market fit for data-focused startups.
• Networking opportunities across the UN, private sector, public sector, and academia.
• The chance for 10 startups to pitch on stage at the FAO’s Science and Innovation Forum (SIF) in Rome on 16 October 2025.
• Access to the World Food Forum during FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
• The top four startups from SIF will pitch at Y Science a side event of Slush in Helsinki on 19 November 2025.
• Free tickets to Slush for the four finalists.
• A €5,000 cash prize for the winning startup.
• Access to the Data Refinery platform, including valuable FAO and global datasets.

Eligibility & Requirements:
Applicants must be available to attend the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome on 16 October 2025 and, if selected as a finalist, the Y Science and Slush events in Helsinki from 18–20 November 2025. All submissions and communications must be in English.

Application:
Click here to apply: https://unfao.brightidea.com/GlobalDataforFarmValueChallenge