UAE Crowns Agri-Tech Innovators to Tackle Global Food Insecurity

ABU DHABI, UAE – January 15, 2026 – In a significant move to bolster global food security, the third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge has named four pioneering startups as its winners. The announcement, a highlight of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, saw HyveGeo, Permia Sensing, Flybox, and Akorn Technology emerge victorious from a field of over 1,200 global contenders. The innovators will share a USD 2 million prize to pilot and scale their groundbreaking solutions, using the UAE as a launchpad to address food system vulnerabilities worldwide.

The competition, which drew 1,215 submissions from 113 countries, culminated in live pitches from ten finalists before an international judging panel. The four winners represent the forefront of agricultural technology, with solutions designed to thrive in arid climates and tackle the pressing dual challenges of climate-smart food production and post-harvest waste.

A Strategic Vision for Global Food Security

The UAE FoodTech Challenge is more than a competition; it is a cornerstone of the nation's long-term strategy to build a resilient and secure food future. By identifying and nurturing cutting-edge agri-tech, the UAE is positioning itself as a global hub for innovations that can be refined locally and deployed across climate-vulnerable regions, particularly in the Global South.

"Building resilient and secure food systems is central to the UAE's long-term vision for a prosperous future," remarked Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge. "The latest winners of the UAE FoodTech Challenge now join a growing community of past awardees, who have since raised over USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched more than 50 pilot projects across the UAE and other markets."

This established ecosystem provides a powerful springboard for the new cohort. The winners will not only receive financial backing but also gain access to a comprehensive support network. This includes tailored pilot opportunities, world-class research facilities, mentorship, and crucial introductions to investors and partners. This integrated approach is designed to accelerate the journey from concept to large-scale impact.

Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development at the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, emphasized this point, stating, "Through the UAE FoodTech Challenge, winning startups are embedded within a proven development ecosystem; where advanced technologies, policy leadership, and global expertise come together to accelerate solutions from pilot to scale. This is how innovation is translated into measurable impact, from the UAE to climate-vulnerable regions worldwide."

Groundbreaking Tech for a Greener Future

The winning solutions offer a glimpse into the future of agriculture, where technology and nature work in concert to boost productivity and sustainability.

Category: Climate-Smart Food Production

• HyveGeo: This startup is tackling one of the most fundamental challenges of arid agriculture: poor soil. HyveGeo converts agricultural waste into a carbon-rich biochar, which is then enriched with proprietary microbes. The resulting high-performance soil enhancer can transform desert sand into fertile, arable land. Already in use by farmers in the UAE, this circular, nature-based approach dramatically improves water retention and sequesters carbon, with plans to expand pilots into the Global South.

• Permia Sensing: Leveraging AI, patented bioacoustic sensors, and drone imaging, Permia Sensing acts as a health monitor for trees. The technology provides early detection of stress factors like dehydration and pest infestations, which is critical for high-value crops. Already deployed across 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, it has demonstrated a 97% accuracy in detecting the destructive Red Palm Weevil, enabling farmers to boost yields and reduce waste. The company will now adapt its solution for the UAE and the broader Middle East.

Category: Food Loss & Waste Reduction

• Akorn Technology: This company addresses the staggering problem of post-harvest food loss with a simple yet brilliant solution: a 100% natural, edible coating for fruits and vegetables. Made from corn protein, natural wax, and vegetable oil, the coating slows ripening, reduces moisture loss, and maintains color, significantly extending shelf life. The technology is already proving its value in Egypt and Ghana, where it has helped cut losses and will now be optimized for arid environments.

• Flybox: Turning waste into a valuable resource, Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into high-quality animal protein and nutrient-rich fertilizer. Their innovative, off-grid solution is housed in modular shipping containers, making it easy to deploy in remote locations. Currently operating in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria, Flybox reduces landfill waste while creating sustainable inputs for agriculture. The company will now launch in the UAE, collaborating with local waste management partners.

From Pilot to Planet: Scaling Innovation Beyond Borders

The UAE FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with global players like the Gates Foundation, as well as national initiatives such as ne'ma (The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative) and Silal. This powerful coalition underscores the global ambition of the program.

Shelly Sundberg, Deputy Director of Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation, praised the initiative's focus. "The UAE FoodTech Challenge plays an important role in advancing practical, scalable, and accessible solutions that can strengthen food security across underserved and climate-vulnerable populations," she said. "These are essential to building more resilient food systems in the face of climate and economic pressures."

The sentiment was echoed by the judging panel. "Seeing the caliber of this year's winners and the diversity of their solutions has been truly inspiring," said Khuloud Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne'ma Steering Committee. "At ne'ma, we are proud to support initiatives that turn ideas into actionable, lasting impact for food systems."

For the four winners, the journey is just beginning. The support from the UAE's innovation ecosystem will serve as a crucial launchpad, enabling them to refine their technologies in one of the world's most challenging agricultural environments before scaling them to markets that need them most. By fostering these solutions, the UAE is cultivating not just crops in the desert, but a more secure and sustainable food future for all.