(NASDAQ: LINE), the world’s largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, has unveiled additional details about its flagship Food Chain Innovation Challenge, including the judging panels and grand prize.
This competition aims to tackle the critical issue of food waste, as the number of people facing severe food insecurity is projected to approach one billion by 2028. The Food Chain Innovation Challenge invites students and startups to present their cutting-edge technologies or data solutions designed to reduce postharvest food waste.
The challenge will be held in three major cities: London on November 14, and Amsterdam and San Francisco on November 19. Applicants, including students, startups, and other relevant candidates, can submit their entries online until September 30.
During each event, participants will showcase their solutions to a distinguished regional judging panel. Regional winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a place in the grand final on December 2. The ultimate grand prize winner will be awarded $50,000 and will be invited to join a six-month executive-led incubator program tailored to their specific business objectives.
London
The London event will take place on November 14, 2024, at The Science Museum. The judging panel will include Lineage’s Regional Vice President Clare Walters, Simon Millard, Director of Food at FareShare; Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP; and Paul Randle from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership at Cambridge University. ReLondon and FoodCycle will also collaborate to offer insights and coaching to participants.
Amsterdam
The Amsterdam event is scheduled for November 19, 2024, at The NEMO Science Museum. Lineage’s European President Harld Peters will be joined by judges including Toine Timmermans, Director of Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling; Enno Masurel, Professor Doctor of Sustainable Entrepreneurship at Free University Amsterdam; and Esteban Arriaga, CEO of FEBA (European Food Banks Federation).
San Francisco
The San Francisco event will be held on November 19, 2024, at the California Academy of Sciences. Lineage’s Global Chief Operations Officer Jeff Rivera will be part of the judging panel along with Angel Veza, Senior Manager of Capital, Innovation, & Engagement at ReFED; Danielle Todd, Founder and Executive Director at Make Food Not Waste; and Michael Wara, Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Initiative at Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment and Senior Director of Policy at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
Greg Lehmkuhl, President and CEO of Lineage, stated, “At Lineage, we continuously seek ways to enhance global food storage, transportation, and distribution. The Food Chain Innovation Challenge provides a platform to support emerging talent and innovations in the industry. Through collaboration, we aim to develop solutions that not only address food waste but also promote long-term sustainable practices.”
Jeff Rivera, Lineage’s Global Chief Operations Officer, added, “Despite our ability to produce enough food to feed the world, hundreds of millions face food insecurity daily. The Food Chain Innovation Challenge embodies our commitment to transforming the food supply chain, eliminating waste, and feeding the world. We look forward to showcasing new solutions and supporting entrepreneurs in realizing their ideas.”
Participants will pitch their solutions in four key areas: reducing food waste, food preservation techniques, access to nutritious food, and data-driven insights and analytics.
Interested individuals can apply here. To learn more about the 2023 Hackathon, the predecessor to this challenge, watch this video and hear from last year’s winner to understand the impact of winning this prestigious competition.