FARM-to-table challenge ’21

The core purpose of this project is to run a targeted acceleration program tailored to the regional/rural needs of farmers. Teams and registered entities are eligible to apply if they offer solutions related to the Digital Transformation of the Food Supply Chain.

The program is carried out in the framework of the “Fostering Sustainable Economic Development in Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions” project.

Objectives
  • Support local groups/small companies established to support villagers’ agro-food distribution to advance online
  • Provide technical, management, and marketing support to broaden the geography of provided services and increase suppliers’ and buyers’.
  • Develop a B2B e-com platform for the logistics centers’ network (based on the solutions developed in previous projects)
  • Consolidate available actors covering separate participle of the supply chain and integrate them into one system
IMPORTANCE

The food system has changed more in the last 12 months than it has over the entire five years. Intensive and technological management of the supply chain can boost the local economy and support local farmers. We can be sure that the money spent is going directly to helping farmers grow their businesses and fuel the local economy. Both the customers and farmers benefit from better managed Food Supply Chains and farm-to-table concepts. Currently, there are 500+ companies in the world, that are working in the field (Only Top 10 companies have over $20 bln valuations and have attracted over $5 bln investments during the last 5 to 8 years). It is good to know, that many of those companies operate not only in the developed but also in the developing countries, where poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) reduction, and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) are top challenges.

The farm-to-table movement’s drive to bring locally grown foods to customers means many positive benefits for consumers – in other words, you. Among many benefits, the following are essential:

  • These new concepts allow demonstrating where the produce has originated, how it has been handled, how well it was maintained, its processing and treatment, etc. which can shed important information on how the value is added and revenue distributed among the participants to the value chain.
  • The ability to provide systems in which the participants to the value chain can achieve more transparency concerning the movement of goods can open entirely new opportunities for financial inclusion.
  • Customers that source their food from local farms and gardens can take advantage of the fresh flavors that these ingredients offer. Rather than needing to preserve, freeze, or otherwise extend the useful life of these ingredients, your dish will taste fresh because it truly is fresh.
  • The farm-to-table model helps the environment, too. Because local food is transported just small distances, less fuel is consumed and fewer emissions are released. Moreover, an essential part of the Farm-To-Table concept is not only the production but also the disposal, which should be covered by the firms.
  • The farm-to-table business model supports many local businesses. The farmers, bakers, artists, and others who have created or grown the products.
  • Want to educate your kids on sustainability, the importance of the local economy, and the benefits of fresh foods? The farm-to-table concept is a great way to do it. Talk with your kids about how the farm-to-table model works and explain why supporting farm-to-table is so important. Kids often learn better by experiencing something first-hand, so a fun dinner out can also become a meaningful experience for the whole family.
Organizers
Title
Nation 2.0 NGO

A non-formal educational, entrepreneurship, and professional development platform for the youth aimed to support its stakeholders and become a change agent on the national and local economic levels

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Title
ANAU

The only higher education institute in the agrarian sphere in Armenia. According to the RA Government decision made in 1994, the Armenian Agricultural Academy was formed on the basis of the Armenian Agricultural and Yerevan Zoo Veterinary Institute.

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Who Can Apply
  • Accelerator targets only science and technology-backed startups (early and growth stage)
  • Teams and registered entities (CSO/NGO, LLC, LTD, etc.) from Armenia will be eligible to apply if they tackle challenges of Supply Chain management including:
Production
Production
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
Processing
Processing
Distribution / Logistics
Distribution / Logistics
Consumption
Consumption
Disposal
Disposal

Solutions targeting the whole chain as well as separates parts of the chain can participate. The solutions that target responding urgent challenges in scope of UN Sustainable Development Goals such as Gender Equality, Reduced inequality, Decent work and Economic growth and social inclusiveness will be considered of higher priority.

Timeline
Call for applicationJune - July 2021
Mapping of the local players
-Jul-Aug 2021-

Call for early and growth stage startups are opened

Timeline

Mapping & Scouting: 20/Jul – 20/Aug-2021
Interviews & Need Identification: 25/Jul – 25/Aug-2021
Invitation to Round table: by 05/Sep

Apply here

Call for applications are closed
Call for applicationJune - July 2021
Round table
-2nd week Sep 2021-

Shortlisted teams will be invited to a round table with stakeholders

Teams will meet with the organizers and field experts to discuss the opportunities for Digital Transformation of the Food Supply Chain in Armenia. Based on the session final teams or Consortium of teams (up to 3) will be selected for the acceleration.

Agenda & Guideline
Call for applicationJune - July 2021
Acceleration
-Sep-Dec 2021-

Teams will be coached by individual coaches and will get access to professional trainers

Training and mentorship will help you to improve the effectiveness of the team. During that process, you can develop specific skills or behavior. The training program is determined by the audience, the purpose, the content, and the duration of the program.

Training syllabus

While the main part of the acceleration process will be covered by the mentors, organizers will provide some additional training sessions for the participants. 3 to 4 workshops per month will be conducted. The workshops will be open only to the participants.

Trainer

Trainer

TBA

Topic to be announced

Trainer

Trainer

TBA

Topic to be announced

Trainer

Trainer

TBA

Topic to be announced

Funding during the acceleration

Grants of up-to USD 40,000 will be provided during the acceleration phase

  • Grants will be provided based on the needs of the teams
  • Grants will be provided in predefined portions, based on specific milestones settled by the teams.
Call for applicationJune - July 2021
Demo day
-Dec 2021-

All the teams that have successfully passed the acceleration cycle, will participate in the Demo Day

The farm-to-table challenge will be finalized during the demo day. Teams will demonstrate their achievements and in front of organizers, experts and investors.

Download the agenda

Pitching procedure

  • Format: Participants are free to pitch using slide presentations, videos, and audio
  • Timing: 15 minutes pitching + 10 minutes Q&A/Feedback
  • Language: The teams are free to pitch both in Armenian and in English.

The event is carried out in the framework of the “Fostering Sustainable Economic Development in Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions” project.