Unlock Value, Empower Farmers and Revolutionize Data!

 

FAO and the University of Helsinki’s Viikki Food Design Factory have launched the global Data for Farm Value Challenge to support startups using farm-level data in innovative ways. The goal is to unlock value for smallholder farmers, who often generate key insights but are left out of the data-driven agrifood economy.

 

The connection between agricultural data and smallholder farmers is in dire need to be strengthened. To unlock its innovative potential, we are seeking fair business models that have the capacity to include smallholder farmers in the compensation mechanisms in the data ecosystem surrounding the agrifood world. 

 

 

Startups are invited to:

 

Develop scalable digital solutions that render, and structure data generated at the farm-level in a usable, useful and more commonly used format. 

 

Create/Propose business models where farmers are included and fairly compensated for their data contributions, i.e. business models capturing value also for the farmers as data producers. 

 

Facilitate the integration of farm-level data into the supply chain, sustainability, and market access platforms

 

Design transparent mechanisms that enable farmers to sell or trade data while maintaining ownership

 

Connect farm-level data with broader public and private sector initiatives to drive sustainability and economic value across the value chain

Message from the Organizers

"To the visionary changemakers rising to the Data for Farm Value Challenge: your innovations hold the power to rewrite the rules of the agrifood economy. By placing smallholder farmers at the center of the data revolution, you’re not only driving digital transformation, you’re shaping a future that is fairer, smarter, and more sustainable for all. Submit your innovative solution to unlock value, empower farmers, and revolutionize data! Selected startups will have the opportunity to pitch at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome and at Y Science during Slush in Helsinki, and gain access to FAO’s and partners’ valuable data sets to scale your impact."

 

 

 

 

Vincent Martin

FAO Director of Innovation                                                                                                                                                   

 

“Data-driven tools and services are key to boosting agricultural productivity and reducing environmental impact. But to unlock their full value across the food system, farmers must truly benefit from the data they generate. We have yet to see the innovations enabling this. Now is the time to mobilize agri-data expertise to create impactful solutions and business models!”

 

Laura Forsman

Viikki FOOD DESIGN FACTORY Manager

Location- FAO Science and Innovation Forum @ FAO HQ

Location- Y Science, Messukeskus Helsinki

Timeline

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  Eligibility criteria

  • Registered companies with a minimum team size of 2 people working 50% of their working hours on the solution
  • Technology Readiness Level 3-9 (between Proof of Concept and Product on Market)
  • Funding level: At minimum pre-seed funding, at most Series A funded, with annual revenue no more than €500K/year
  • Startups can be located anywhere around the world
  • Availability and funds to attend the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome, Italy, on October 16 and (for the selected four pitching finalists) the Y Science and Slush events on November 18-20, 2025, in Helsinki, Finland
  • All submissions ,presentations and communications are required to be in English 

     

  Benefits

  • Workshops on pitching and product-market fit related to data-focused startups
  • Networking opportunities in the agrifood innovation ecosystem spanning the UN, public and private sectors, and academia
  • Opportunity for 10 startups to pitch on stage at the FAO’s Science and Innovation Forum (SIF) in Rome on October 16, 2025
  • Access to the World Food Forum during FAO's 80th anniversary celebrations.
  • The top 4 startups from the SIF pitchers will pitch at Y Science, a side event of Slush, in Helsinki on November 19, 2025
  • A free ticket to Slush for the 4 finalists
  • A cash prize of 5,000 euros for the winner of the pitching competition.
  • Access to the Data Refinery, a joint initiative by FAO and the University of Helsinki’s Viikki Food Design Factory including accesing and using valuable data sets from FAO and partners
  • Mentoring with FAO's global digital agriculture and data experts through 1:1 office hours 

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the Challenge or application process, please contact:

Digital-innovation@fao.org

Viikkifooddesignfactory@helsinki.fi

Please use "Data for Farm Value" in the subject field of your email.