The 2025 UN FAO Data for Farm Value Global Challenge is now accepting applications. This worldwide competition, jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the University of Helsinki’s Viikki Food Design Factory, is aimed at empowering startups that harness on-farm data in fresh and inventive ways. The central mission is to generate tangible benefits for smallholder farmers—producers who often create vital information but are rarely included in the fast-growing, data-driven agrifood sector.

There is an urgent need to strengthen the link between agricultural data and smallholder farmers. Unlocking the full potential of this connection calls for equitable business approaches that actively involve farmers in the economic rewards of the agrifood data ecosystem. The challenge is seeking creative, fair, and viable models that integrate farmers as rightful participants and beneficiaries in the value chain.

Participants are expected to craft digital solutions capable of transforming raw farm-level information into formats that are structured, accessible, and widely utilized. They should also devise commercial strategies where farmers are recognized and compensated as originators of valuable data. This includes creating transparent systems that enable them to market or exchange their data while retaining ownership. Additionally, innovations should link farm-level data to supply chain management, sustainability initiatives, and market access opportunities, as well as connect these insights to broader public and private programs that can enhance environmental and economic outcomes across the agrifood sector.

The competition is open to officially registered companies that have at least two team members dedicating half of their working time to the project. Applicants should have developed their technology to between a proof-of-concept stage and a validated prototype (Technology Readiness Levels 3–7). Businesses must be in the pre-seed to Series A funding range, generating no more than €500,000 in annual revenue, and can be based anywhere in the world. Selected participants must have the resources and availability to attend the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome on October 16, 2025, and, if chosen among the top four, also participate in the Y Science and Slush events in Helsinki from November 18–20, 2025. All entries and communications should be submitted in English.

Successful applicants will benefit from targeted workshops on pitching and refining their product-market alignment, as well as networking opportunities across the UN, academia, industry, and the global agrifood innovation community. Ten shortlisted startups will present their ideas live at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome, which will also grant them access to the World Food Forum held during FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations. The four best teams will advance to present at Y Science in Helsinki, a special side event of Slush, on November 19, 2025, and will receive complimentary tickets to attend Slush itself. The overall winner will be awarded €5,000. Finalists will also gain entry to the Data Refinery program—a collaboration between FAO and the University of Helsinki—offering access to valuable datasets from FAO and its partners, along with tailored mentoring sessions from FAO’s global network of digital agriculture and data experts.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity