Terms & Conditions

Calling on Mission-Driven Innovators!

The Sustainable Cocoa Innovation Challenge in Colombia aims to scout, accelerate and fund innovative ventures - inclduing products, services, or technologies - that operate along the cocoa value chain in Colombia and promote sustainable land use systems toward climate change mitigation and peacebuilding.

The call is open to early-stage innovations with a Minimum-Viable-Product (MVP) or Proof-of-Concept (POC).

It is not necessary to have a minimum in sales, but we are looking for more than an idea. 

Priority Areas

Applications can be related but are not limited to the following areas: 

Sustainable sourcing

Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing of cocoa, especially in line with the EU law on zero-deforestation commodities.

Quality and traceability

Technology solutions to ensure transparency, authenticity, and consistency in the origin, processing, quality and distribution of cocoa beans.

Sustainable farming practices and productivity

Providing training, tools, and resources to farmers to improve productivity, efficiency, and yield of cocoa under agroforestry or grown through organic farming.

Processing and value addition

Focused on adding value to cocoa products through processing, manufacturing, and innovation.

Market access and distribution

Aim to improve market access for cocoa farmers and promote fair pricing mechanisms.

Social empowerment and inclusion through cocoa value chain processes

Aim to build peace with and for cocoa farmers.

Solutions

The Sustainable Cocoa Innovation Challenge for Colombia is looking for solutions that include but are not limited to:

Supply chain technologies, logistics optimization and storage solutions
Food processing and packaging
New sales channels (e.g., online trading platform)
Efficient Irrigation technologies
Fertilizer management practices
Circular economy, waste management and treatment
Farm management software, advisory services, and weather data
Water management and small-scale irrigation systems
Education tech platform

Eligibility Criteria

  • Your solution addresses a real market need in Colombia and is closely aligned with the cocoa value chain.

  • While it is not a requirement to be Colombian, it is necessary for you to have a presence deeply established in the implementation country, Colombia. This presence could be in the form of a for-profit or social enterprise.

  • You have a Minimum-Viable-Product (MVP) or Proof-of-Concept (POC).

  • Your innovation has a verified potential commercial value and impact.  

  • We prioritize ventures that focus on promoting gender equality and empowering women, either through their beneficiaries, job creation, or by having a high representation of women in leadership positions.

How to Apply?

Submit your application online through the dedicated platform.

You will need to register, complete your profile, and fill out the application form by 3 September 2023 at 23:59 CET.

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Got a question? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions or the Terms of Reference for further information.