Key Takeaways:
- The UAE FoodTech Challenge 2026 has announced four winning startups following its third edition.
- Winners were selected from 1,215 submissions across 113 countries.
- The startups address climate-smart food production and food loss and waste reduction.
- The four teams will share a USD 2 million prize and gain access to the UAE’s agri-tech ecosystem.
- The initiative supports the UAE’s long-term food security strategy and global food system resilience.
UAE FoodTech Challenge 2026 Concludes With Four Winning Startups
The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge concluded at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups recognized for their agri-food technology innovations. The global competition is designed to identify, support, and scale solutions that strengthen food production and reduce food loss and waste in arid and climate-stressed environments.
Following a competitive selection process, ten finalists advanced to the final stage, presenting live pitches to an international panel of experts in food systems, sustainability, investment, and international development. The winners were revealed during an awards ceremony on the main stage at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Climate-Smart Food Production UAE FoodTech Challenge Winners
In the Climate-Smart Food Production category, Permia Sensing and HyveGeo were selected as winners.
Permia Sensing uses artificial intelligence, bioacoustic sensors, and drone imaging to monitor tree health. Its technology is currently deployed across more than 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, enabling early detection of stress factors such as dehydration and pest infestations. The company plans to localize and scale its solution for deployment across the UAE and the wider Middle East.
HyveGeo converts agricultural waste into carbon-rich biochar and enriches it with beneficial microbes to create soil enhancement products. The solution is already in use across the UAE, supporting soil fertility in arid environments. As part of the award, HyveGeo intends to expand its research and pilot projects in markets across the Global South.
Food Loss and Waste Reduction Winners
In the Food Loss and Waste Reduction category, Akorn Technology and Flybox were selected.
Akorn Technology produces a natural, edible coating for fruits and vegetables designed to slow ripening, reduce moisture loss, and preserve quality. The solution is currently used in Egypt and Ghana and will be optimized for use in the UAE and other arid regions.
Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into protein and fertilizer, reducing waste sent to landfill. The company’s containerized, off-grid solution is already operating in parts of East and West Africa and is now preparing to launch operations in the UAE with local partners.
Ecosystem Support and Leadership Perspectives
The four winning teams will share a USD 2 million prize and will be invited to scale their solutions within the UAE. They will receive tailored in-kind support, including pilot opportunities, access to research facilities, market-entry guidance, mentorship, and investor introductions through a network of local and international partners.
Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, said the winners join a growing community of startups that have collectively raised more than USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched over 50 pilot projects since previous editions.
Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development at the UAE Presidential Court, highlighted the role of the UAE FoodTech Challenge in embedding startups within a development ecosystem that connects innovation, policy, and global expertise.
Supporting Global Food Security Goals
The UAE FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, ne’ma, and Silal. The initiative supports the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions by attracting technologies that can be refined locally and scaled internationally.
Shelly Sundberg, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, emphasized the role of the challenge in advancing practical and scalable solutions for climate-vulnerable regions, while Khuloud Nowais of ne’ma highlighted the increasing sophistication of solutions addressing food loss and waste.
Organizers stated that the 2026 winners will now move into a new phase focused on piloting, deployment, and scaling their technologies to support more resilient and sustainable food systems in the UAE and globally.
