The WFF Startup Innovation Awards (SIA), powered by MassChallenge Switzerland, is a global platform to spotlight and elevate young entrepreneurs using technology to transform agrifood systems, end global hunger and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its strategic collaboration with MassChallenge Switzerland, selected startups gain exclusive access to the MassChallenge Switzerland Accelerator in Lausanne, unlocking world-class mentorship, networks and growth opportunities.
Applications are open until 1 April 2026. The call is open for youth-led startups using technology to transform agrifood systems across four award categories.
2026 Award categories
Technological and digital innovations play a critical role in the future of agrifood systems. To address the unprecedented challenges we are facing, we need to find new, actionable, scalable, investable, innovative and inclusive solutions that respond to the complex, interrelated nature of global agrifood systems.
Through the Awards, we are seeking to identify, elevate and accelerate the youth-led startups who show the greatest potential for a positive impact to transform agrifood systems across the four categories for 2026:
- Digital Innovation in Food Processing
- Fighting Malnutrition and Enhancing Food Security
- Enhancing Climate Resilience and Water Security
- Empowering Women in Agrifood Systems
Special Awards 2026
- Startup of the Year Award 2026
This award celebrates the startup that demonstrates exceptional innovation, scalability and potential to transform agrifood systems globally. The overall winner will receive a USD 10,000 cash prize from the Seeding The Future Foundation to scale their impact.
2. Excellence in Applied AI
Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), a long-time partner of the WFF Startup Innovation Awards, presents a special award for “Excellence in Applied AI” recognising innovative use of “applied intelligence” across the 2026 categories. The winner of the “Applied AI” award will benefit from: inclusion in Extreme Tech Challenge’s global ecosystem of investors and corporate innovation teams; publicity through XTC’s media channels; and an invitation to attend XTC’s flagship annual AI conference in California, USA in November 2026.
What do successful teams gain?
Award winners will receive at least USD 7 500 per category, with USD 2 500 awarded to runners-up. The overall Startup Innovation Awards winner will receive an additional USD 10 000. Selected startups will be invited to the MassChallenge Switzerland Accelerator Programme, benefiting from world class mentoring, tailored and comprehensive curriculum of lectures and workshops, market guidance and access to MC’s global corporate partners.
Travel support will be provided for two finalist teams per award category to attend the WFF flagship event in Rome, Italy. Extensive visibility and promotional opportunities will be supported via WFF Youth Initiative social media platforms and website.
Eligibility criteria
- Startups must be youth-led, with at least one founder or C-level executive between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application;
- Startup representatives who pitch during the online pitching sessions, participate in the MassChallenge, Switzerland accelerator programme and present at the 2026 WFF flagship event in Rome, must be 35 years old or younger at the time of the event;
- Startups should have less than USD 2 million capital raised and generated less than USD 2 million in sales;
- Applicants must demonstrate validated evidence of their digital food processing solution, such as pilots, early adoption by processors or value-chain actors, partnerships or measurable operational or impact results;
- Startups must be able to demonstrate the scalability of their solution and its potential for growth; and
- Solutions should show a clear, measurable contribution to more efficient and sustainable agrifood systems.
Application deadline: 01 April 2026
