Environment

The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, a global agri-food innovation competition, concluded during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups that will pilot and scale their solutions in the UAE and the Global South. The winners — HyveGeo, Permia Sensing, Flybox, and Akorn Technology — will share a USD 2 million prize and become part of the UAE’s national agri-tech ecosystem.

The UAE FoodTech Challenge identifies and accelerates technologies that increase food production and reduce food loss and waste in arid and climate-stressed environments. From an initial pool of 1,215 submissions from 113 countries, ten finalists advanced to the final stage, presenting live pitches to an international panel of experts in food systems, sustainability, investment, and development. The four winners were announced during an awards ceremony on the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week main stage.

Climate-smart food production winners

Permia Sensing uses artificial intelligence, bioacoustic sensors, and drone imaging to monitor tree health and detect early signs of stress such as dehydration and pest infestations. Already deployed across more than 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, the technology helps farmers increase yields and reduce waste. The company plans to localize its solution for the UAE and expand across the Middle East.

HyveGeo converts agricultural waste into carbon-rich biochar and enriches it with microbes to create a high-performance soil enhancer. The circular, nature-based solution is already being used by farmers and landscape managers across the UAE to transform desert soil into fertile land. As part of the award, HyveGeo will expand research activities and launch pilot projects across markets in the Global South.

Food loss and waste reduction winners

Akorn Technology produces a natural, edible coating for fruit and vegetables that slows ripening, reduces moisture loss, and maintains color. The solution is currently in use in Egypt and Ghana, extending shelf life and cutting post-harvest losses. The company will now optimize its technology for the UAE and other arid environments in the region.

Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into high-quality protein and fertilizer while reducing waste sent to landfill. Its off-grid, container-based solution is already operational in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. Following the win, Flybox will launch in the UAE and work with local waste management partners to deploy the system at scale.

Supporting innovation from pilot to scale

Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, said the initiative plays a critical role in strengthening resilient and secure food systems. She noted that past winners have collectively raised more than USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched over 50 pilot projects in the UAE and other markets, demonstrating the programme’s ability to translate innovation into real-world impact.

The four winning startups will receive tailored, in-kind support in the UAE, including pilot opportunities, access to research facilities, market-entry guidance, mentorship, and investor introductions through a wide network of local and international partners. From this base, they will work to deploy and scale their solutions across key markets in the Global South.

Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development at the International Affairs Office of the UAE Presidential Court, said the challenge embeds winning startups within a proven development ecosystem that brings together advanced technology, policy leadership, and global expertise to accelerate solutions from pilot to scale.

The UAE FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, ne’ma (The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative), and Silal. The initiative directly supports the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions while contributing to global food system resilience.

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