Sustainable Cocoa
Innovation Challenge 2023

Join our mission to transform the cocoa value chain!

The Sustainable Cocoa Innovation Challenge for Colombia is a collaboration between CGIAR research initiatives AgriLAC Resiliente and Mitigate+ and the project “Implementing Sustainable Agricultural and Livestock Systems for Simultaneous Targeting of Forest Conservation for Climate Change Mitigation (REDD+) and Peacebuilding in Colombia,” otherwise known as the IKI-SLUS Project.

The CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform, in collaboration with Rockstart, powers this innovation challenge with the aim of providing know-how and network to entrepreneurs in Latin America who are working to ensure the cocoa industry contributes to climate change mitigation and peacebuilding.

Are you an innovator working on a solution that is applicable to the cocoa value chain in Colombia and contributes to one or more priority areas?

Sustainable sourcing

Quality and Traceability

Sustainable farming practices and productivity

Processing and value addition

Market access and distribution

Social empowerment and inclusion through cocoa value chain processes

Apply by 3 September 2023 at 23:59 CET

APPLY

What We Offer to Help Boost Your Innovation

The Sustainable Cocoa Innovation Challenge offers a wide variety of resources and connections for those selected for the program

Access to all documents developed in the context of the SLUS project

A fully sponsored acceleration program combining business training and technical assistance

On-the-ground experimentation and pilot testing in Colombia

Support in the creation of a sales pitch to raise a grant and to sell to external parties

Up to $15.000,00 equity-free grant each for two winners with a sustainable business model and scaling plan

Networking and technical assistance from CGIAR scientists and industry partners

Networking and business mentorship with some of the best local entrepreneurs in Colombia

Exposure to potential investors, opening doors to funding opportunities and commercial partnerships

Support to accelerate go-to-market and growth

Timeline

04/08

Applications
open
31/08

Applications
close
1-15/09

Selection and evaluation process
18/09

Start of the 8-week program
27/10

Pitch Day in Cali & Grant winners
28/10

Post-program support

Watch the Ask Me Anything session to know more about the program!

Get ready to supercharge your growth!

Apply by 3 September 2023 at 23:59 CET

APPLY

What Innovators Say About Us

"We are ecstatic to be part of the CGIAR x Rockstart Investor Readiness Program, which will aid NOvFeed's global expansion. Everything, from the rigorous selection process to the final showcase, was designed to create amazing connections that generate new opportunities between startups and the broader ecosystem of corporates and investors in the Agrifood industry. We owe a debt of appreciation to Alliance Biodiversity International and CIAT for opening a door for NOvFeed that would have been nearly impossible to open without their assistance.”

NovFeed winner of the AgroBiodiversity, Inovation Challenge 2021

"For Oliver, Rockstart changed our path! We learned: 1.Startup methodology. Experimentation, growth, culture, etc. 2. Have an entrepreneurial mindset 3. Be part of a community of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors 4. Understand how the world of Venture Capital works 5. Meet other startups better than you and people who have seen Thousands of startups."

Manuel Oliva, Planet Oliver founder Rockstart program 2022

Rockstart was an incredible program for agrapp, we understood how to improve our product, we had mentors from both the business and the industry and with this we did a better business. We are grateful for this and recommend any entrepreneur to go through a Rockstart program, it will change their business and mindset.