WHAT IS IT?
A specialized global startup competition and one-year growth program for plant nutrition entrepreneurs
The IFA Cultivate Challenge is a global business startup competition for the plant nutrition industry designed to identify, connect, and scale high-impact innovators in support of the industry’s vision to feed the world sustainably.
Challenge Themes
Nutrient Production
Scalable and modular innovations to improve sustainability and effectiveness of fertilizer production
Nutrient Application
Software and hardware innovations that enable precision nutrient application
Nutrient Release
Chemical and biological innovations to optimize nutrient release, plant uptake, and limit losses across diverse farming systems.
Judging Panel
Paimun Amini
Robert Reiter
Sara Boetigger
Nolan Paul
Erin Vandanluit
Beth Betchdol
Ambassador Marcia Bernicat
Sara Boetigger
STARTUP & SCALEUP
Meet our Finalists
Startups
Agrocognitive
Agrology is a predictive agriculture system that helps farmers monitor greenhouse gases, improve soil sequestration, and generate carbon credits.
Startups
ClearLeaf
ClearLeaf develops sustainable crop protection that manages the impacts of harmful pests while maintaining natural balances on the farm and protecting farmers and consumers.
Startups
Dronebee
DroneBee is developing Dionysus—an app that helps winegrowers to correctly dose pesticides by using UAVs/smartphones and AI algorithms.
Startups
Haystack
Haystack enables soil carbon market scalability by helping farmers and carbon markets quantify carbon accurately and cost-effectively.
Startups
Ponce
PONCE empowers growers to meet the food production demands through efficiency with IoT.
Startups
Vatorex
ClearLeaf develops sustainable crop protection that manages the impacts of harmful pests while maintaining natural balances on the farm and protecting farmers and consumers.
Scaleups
Autonomous Pivot
Autonomous Pivot is revolutionizing row-crop farming by transforming center-pivot irrigation systems into AI-powered farming robots, saving water and money.
Scaleups
Goanna Ag
Goanna Ag uses low-cost sensors and connectivity to optimize water management across the farm and significantly improve on-farm efficiencies for growers.
Scaleups
MagGrow
MagGrow’s technology significantly reduces waste and drift linked to conventional crop spraying, delivering optimum plant protection.
Scaleups
Thinkbio
Thinkbio is accelerating the transition to more sustainable crop production with Kreotec—a product which delivers a sustainable form of nitrogen to agricultural crops through the use of bacteria.
Agrology
Reducing and Offseting GHG Emissions
Finalist Cohort Benefits
Direct connections with leaders of organizations across IFA’s global membership to explore collaboration.
Opportunity to pitch in the final competition showcase for a cash prize pool of USD $25,000.
Access to professional workshop sessions hosted by industry specialists
12-months' free IFA membership
Priority business profile listing on the IFA Innovation Platform
Free registration to the IFA Cultivating Tomorrow 2027 Conference
Free registration to a selected international showcase event
Selection Criteria
The Challenge is open to global companies that meet the below criteria
Pre-Seed to Series B
Applicants should be at the pre-seed to Series B stage.
Innovation Value Proposition
Have an innovation that has a clear direct value proposition for the Fertilizer industry.
Alignment with Summit Themes
Are aligned with one of the challenge themes
Scientific Background
Have a credible scientific background, or the potential and plans to obtain credible scientific evidence
THRIVE IFA Cultivate Challenge Timeline
