$360,000 M4D Open Innovation Challenge

A global innovation competition supporting startups and enterprises piloting solutions for smallholder farmers, rural communities, and indigenous populations. The challenge focuses on building resilient food systems through four thematic tracks.

Benefits include:

• Up to $360,000 USD in funding per team (multi‑phase progression)
• Mentorship, coaching, and access to M4D’s global networks
• Pilot implementation support in rural/agricultural contexts
• Visibility with international development agencies and investors

• Startup or enterprise with a solution targeting smallholder farmers, rural communities, or indigenous populations
• Solution must align with one of four challenge tracks:
• Insurance – climate, crop, livestock insurance innovations
• Fragility – resilience solutions for fragile contexts
• Digital Extension – accountable, efficient agricultural advisory services
• Agroecology – sustainable, climate‑resilient production systems
• Cross‑cutting themes encouraged: AI for Good and Geospatial Analysis
• Application includes: proposal, team details, and pilot plan
• Just graduated
• Working (full-time or part-time)
• Running a project or organization
• Entrepreneur