Applications are open for the 2026 AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge, an initiative designed for early-stage agri-tech innovators. The program aims to help participants refine, validate, and scale technology solutions that enhance food security and agricultural resilience. It provides a comprehensive support system that includes mentorship, technical assistance, market access, and acceleration to guide high-impact ventures from the prototype stage to market readiness. The challenge empowers local and international entrepreneurial scientists to test, scale-up, and grow their innovations into viable solutions.
Program Benefits
- Market & Ecosystem Insights: Gain a deep understanding of Tunisia’s agricultural sector and food systems, aligning solutions with local needs.
- Bootcamp & Acceleration Support: Attend a fully funded, 4-day immersive bootcamp in Tunisia to refine strategy and build networks. This is followed by a 3-month sponsored acceleration program offering entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, pitch coaching, and business development support.
- Expert Guidance & Mentorship: Receive tailored mentorship from global experts, CGIAR scientists, and agricultural specialists to improve products, business models, and go-to-market strategies.
- Investor & Partner Connections: Engage with commercial partners, ecosystem players, and potential investors to explore opportunities for piloting, adoption, or investment.
Eligibility Criteria
- Product Stage: Applicants must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which has ideally been tested with end-users.
- Funding Stage: Teams should be actively fundraising at the pre-seed or seed stage.
- Market Focus: Solutions must address real market needs and deliver tangible benefits to smallholder farmers or value chain actors.
- Thematic Alignment: Innovations must align with one or more of the designated priority innovation areas.
Priority Innovation Areas
- Water Management: Sustainable water management, smart irrigation, and non-conventional water solutions for agriculture.
- Precision Agriculture: Precision agriculture and input optimisation.
- Climate Services: Climate-smart services and tools.
- Post-Harvest: Post-harvest solutions and market access.
- Financial Inclusion: Agri-finance tools to expand inclusion.
- Value Chains: Strengthening agricultural value chains and circular economy solutions.
- Capacity Building: Digital extension services and capacity building tools.
Ideal Candidates
- Tech Founders: Tech founders building solutions for smallholder or commercial agriculture.
- Researchers: Researchers and scientists with tangible innovations.
- Green Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs targeting climate-smart and digital agri-solutions.
- Expansion Seekers: Startups looking to expand into North African and Mediterranean markets.
Application Details and Timeline
- Application Deadline: 12 February 2026 (23:59 GMT+1).
- Next Steps: Shortlisted innovators will be invited to the bootcamp and subsequently selected for the acceleration program. A full timeline, including bootcamp and mentoring phases, will be provided upon selection.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Visit the official AgriTech4Tunisia page on the AgriTechChallenge portal (CGIAR Venturespace).
- Step 2: Review the eligibility criteria and innovation themes to ensure your project aligns with one or more focus areas.
- Step 3: Prepare your submission, including your MVP description, business model, impact goals, market strategy, and team background.
- Step 4: Submit your application online before the deadline.
- Step 5: Await notification from the selection committee regarding invitations for the bootcamp and acceleration phases.
Application Guidance
- Problem-Solution Fit: Clearly explain the problem you are solving and how your solution directly benefits farmers or agribusinesses.
- Validation: Share evidence of testing or early user feedback from your MVP.
- Business Strategy: Clarify your business model and growth strategy, including how you plan to scale.
- Team Strength: Highlight your team's expertise and operational readiness, as reviewers assess both technical and market experience.
Agri-tech holds significant potential to transform food systems by increasing productivity, improving resource efficiency, and building resilience against climate shocks. However, early-stage innovations often face challenges in accessing the necessary mentorship, technical support, and market connections to scale effectively. The AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge addresses this gap by providing science-linked acceleration support through partnerships with CGIAR research centers and global ecosystem partners, creating a direct pathway for innovators to develop and deploy their solutions.