Eligibility Criteria:Candidates are early-stage, growth-stage, or women-led AgTech companies with innovative solutions impacting smallholder farmers at scale.Applicants should have:A clear and defined description on how their solution is impacting small holder farmersStrong organizational and operational structure The applicant applying must:be aged 18-40 on the day of submission to the 2021 Pitch AgriHack Competitionhold nationality (with official ID) from any of the 54 nations of the African Unionbe the founder/co-founder of the enterprise represented in the competition and play an active role in its operations and leadershiphave no criminal record related to corruption, tax evasion, financial impropriety, felony or other offencesNot be a previous Pitch AgriHack finalist or winnermust submit the application form in Englishmust agree with the Terms & Conditions Early Stage CategoryThe Venture must have:The ability to scale and impact a large number of smallholder farmersAn identifiable technological innovation that addresses the following problems for smallholder farmers:Smallholder farmer productivitySmallholder farmer incomeLabour intensiveness of operationsResilienceAccess to information for smallholder farmersStrong competitive advantage Growth Stage CategoryThe Venture must have:The ability to scale and impact a large number of smallholder farmersRecorded evidence of demonstrated impact on smallholder farmers’ revenueAn identifiable technological innovation that addresses the following problems for smallholder farmers:Smallholder farmer productivitySmallholder farmer incomeLabour intensiveness of operationsResilienceAccess to information for smallholder farmersStrong competitive advantage
Selection Criteria:There will be a screening process to determine the top 12 startups which will be invited to attend pitch training sessions for the online virtual final pitching contest. Half of the selected startups will be women-owned startups (one official co-founder must be female). The selection is mainly based on the quality of the information submitted in the application. Additional information may be requested by the organizers.Online Screening CriteriaHow real is the need?What problem does the solution solve?How unique is the solution?Does the team demonstrate an ability to execute?What is the market opportunity?Technical Assessment CriteriaEarly Stage Category:ScalabilityFeasibility / proof of conceptTechnical viability of the solutionMature Stage Category:Smallholder farmers reachedProfitabilityFinal Pitch CriteriaImpact on Smallholder FarmersTechnological InnovationBusiness ModelTeamScalabilityUse-of-funds
AGRF & Heifer International launch Pitch AgriHack 2021The competition provides cash grants to innovators, increasing the use of technology and creating jobs across Africa’s agricultural sector AGRF and Heifer International have… read more