UN FAO Startup Innovation Awards
6th Annual UN FAO Startup Innovation Awards
Applications Open
The sixth edition of the World Food Forum (WFF) Startup Innovation Awards has launched with XTC offering a special “Excellence in Applied AI” Award.
XTC has partnered with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization World Food Forum’s Startup Innovation Awards since their inception in 2001. The 6th edition is now launched with applications open until April 1, 2026
This year, XTC is offering a special “Excellence in Applied AI” award aligned with our 2026 theme of AI:360 – showcasing how AI is transforming real-world operations, from digital systems to physical environments. Startups can apply to be considered for the AI Award from any of the WFF SIA’s Four Theme Categories for 2026
- Digital Innovation in Food Processing – Startups developing cutting-edge solutions to enhance the sustainability, efficiency and resilience of food processing systems. This award celebrates innovations transforming how raw food materials are processed, preserved and packaged using data-driven insights, smart equipment and connected platforms that optimize every step of food processing.
- Fighting Malnutrition and Enhancing Food Security – Startups developing scalable, inclusive solutions that address malnutrition and food insecurity by improving nutrition education, increasing access to nutritious food, strengthening local agrifood systems and leveraging sustainable and digital innovations across agrifood value chains.
- Enhancing Climate Resilience and Water Security – Startups developing innovative solutions to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change and water scarcity. This award recognizes technologies and practices that promote sustainable water management, strengthen resilience to climate change and support the long-term sustainability of agrifood systems and the communities that depend on them.
- Empowering Women in Agrifood Systems – Startups developing inclusive innovations that strengthen women’s participation and leadership in agrifood systems by improving access to finance and markets, skills, entrepreneurship training and leveraging digital tools.
For more information please visit the UN FAO WFF SIA website