The Yield Lab Institute, the St. Louis-based nonprofit think tank arm of agtech investor The Yield Lab, has unveiled its inaugural cohort for a new global innovation challenge that includes teaming up with a division of the United Nations.
Eight startups have been selected to participate in this year’s Sustainable Agtech Challenge, which the Yield Lab Institute is staging with the United Nations Environment Programme.(UNEP). Launched in 1972, UNEP is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and focuses on environmental and sustainable development within the United Nations system. The premise behind the Sustainable Agtech Challenge is to source innovations aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change on the agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. The eight companies selected for the innovation challenge will receive in-kind services and mentorship and networking support.
“This group represents interesting, compelling innovations, technologies and solutions that we feel have great potential to contribute to sustainable food and agriculture in the Latin America and Caribbean region. We are excited to work more closely with this group to support and advance their solutions,” Yield Lab Institute Chief Operating Officer Brandon Day told St. Louis Inno.
The eight companies were among 115 applicants for the Sustainable Agtech Challenges. Startups applying for the innovation challenge were asked to submit solutions targeting one of three areas: specialty crops, row crops, or animal and alternative proteins. As part of the innovation challenge, a white paper policy assessment will be conducted to provide policymakers and stakeholders with a blueprint on how to advance agtech innovation related to climate change.
Member of the innovation challenge's cohort include:
- BloomsPal (Bogotá, Colombia) The company has developed software aimed at making the supply chain process easier for flower buyers.
- Cladonia Bio (Buenos Aires, Argentina): The startup is developing computer vision-based soil and compost assessment software.
- ClearLeaf (San Jose, Costa Rica): The startup has developed non-toxic fungicide and bactericides designed for crop protection.
- Climate Sense (Buenos Aires, Argentina): The company has developed hardware, including a weather station, and software designed to help agriculture producers access climate data.
- Mi Terro (Los Angeles): This startup uses agricultural waste to make packaging materials. It says its products are an alternative to plastic and paper.
- SAVRpak (San Juan Capistrano, California): The company has developed technology designed to help food stay fresher while being stored inside packaging.
- The Earth Says_ (Santiago, Chile): This firm uses monitoring technology to help growers strengthen pollination and boost their crop yields.
- ucrop.it (Buenos Aires, Argentina): The company has created a Blockchain-based fintech app for farmers.
