Post Date: May 14, 2025
Deadline Date: May 30, 2025
Donor Name: International Fertilizer Association
Grant Size: $10,000 to $100,000
Category: Awards, Prizes and Challenges
Reference URL:https://www.fertilizer.org/initiatives/ifa-innovation-hub/introducing-the-
The International Fertilizer Association is excited to announce its Cultivate Challenge, a new global startup competition!
This competition seeks to identify and accelerate entrepreneurial talent worldwide, focusing on high-priority topics for the global fertilizer industry. Startups are invited to apply for the 12-month challenge, with successful applicants receiving a comprehensive support package.
About a dozen selected startups will join a 9-month business growth program, featuring:
- Direct connections with leading industry corporates, venture capitalists, and investors
- The opportunity to pitch at two major international conferences
- Exclusive access to a specialized series of industry workshops
Thematic Areas
- Energy Efficiency in Ammonia Production: Technologies to halve energy intensity
- Novel P Fertilizers and Application: Doubling plant recovery of fertilizer-applied phosphorus
- Nutrient Use Efficiency Tracking: Solutions for tracking NUE along the food chain
Benefits
- Approximately a dozen selected startups will progress to their finalist cohort, where they will receive:
- 12-months’ free IFA membership.
- Free registration to a selected international showcase event.
- Free registration to the IFA Cultivating Tomorrow 2026 Conference.
- The opportunity to pitch in the final competition showcase, with a cash prize pool of USD$15,000.
- Access to a series of professional workshop sessions hosted by industry specialists.
- Access to a priority business profile listing on the IFA Innovation Platform.
- The opportunity to develop direct connections with leaders of organizations from across IFA’s global membership, in order to explore opportunities to collaborate.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is a call for startups, from Pre-seed to Series B stages, in the fertilizer and plant nutrition sector to apply for participation.
