GFI launches 3rd edition of India Smart Protein Innovation Challenge

Up to 12 winning teams stand a chance to win a cash prize worth Rs 1 lakh each

The Good Food Institute (GFI India) has launched the 3rd edition of its flagship initiative – The India Smart Protein Innovation Challenge (ISPIC). It is now inviting applications from startups, entrepreneurs, and students who are geared towards solving problems related to transforming food systems for enhanced food security by promoting the global and Indian protein transition to alternative proteins.   

ISPIC was first launched in 2020 as a first-of-its-kind alternative protein challenge that has since gone on to inspire similar competitions worldwide. The aim of ISPIC is capacity building for researchers and early-stage entrepreneurs to fill the talent and innovation gaps in the sector.

ISPIC 2023 is being conducted in partnership with Spectrum Impact, a family office committed to solving large-scale societal problems with novel solutions. This year’s challenge is focused on ideation and innovation in whitespaces across the value chain of plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-derived proteins. 

The Challenge this year is split into two tracks – Smart Up and Start Up (i.e. Career and Venture Building). The Smart Up track will focus on developing innovative theoretical solutions through capstone projects focused on industry whitespaces that are suited for students and researchers. The Start Up track will focus on scaling smart protein ventures by hand-holding them through real-time challenges across product development, fundraising, distribution etc. 

After a six month journey, the finalist teams from both tracks will get a chance to showcase their ideas to an impressive panel of investors and industry experts in a Smart Protein Demo Day and win cash prizes worth Rs 1 lakh each.

Image credit- shutterstock

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