ENTER THE COMPETITION
YOUR JOURNEY
TO INNOVATION
STARTS NOW
KEY DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Keep track of these important dates to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines.
4 OCTOBER
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
22 NOVEMBER
ROUND TWO PITCHES READY
ROUND 1 BRIEF
YOUR FUTURE IDEA
DEADLINE: Thurs 26 Sept, 2024
YOUR IDEA SUMMARY
As a team, complete the Round 1 entry form which includes your 500-word proposal. This will introduce you, your idea and outlines what you intend to ‘develop’ and pitch.
THE BRIEF
The objective of your proposal should be to:
Establish the problem or opportunity your idea is going to solve
Introduce the solution that your idea involves
Introduce the benefit/value that your product will bring to the Future of Food industry, society and communities
This Future of Food competition is considered to be a first of its kind food industry event. It has an important agenda to encourage action or increase awareness of key (and in some cases seismic) megatrends coming fast down the line where issues and opportunities need addressing.
Pick any megatrend that you want to address.
Here are a few examples (but by no means exhaustive):
By 2050, in the UK alone, 10 million more people than today will be over the age of 65 – this will have a significant impact on how we need to adjust in the food industry.
By then the worlds population will near 10bn and 68% of them will live in cities (up from 55% today).
Huge shifts in emerging technologies will disrupt whole industries. For example renewable energy sources will become commonplace.
The Arctic will completely melt for the first time in 11 years – thereafter global shipping will look for commercially better ways to avoid the Suez canal.
Farming techniques will change and a greater focus on sustainability will gain pace as we near the net zero goal by 2050.
Climate change will frustrate food production and tourism and wildlife will need to adapt to new norms.
There will be more frequent and severe natural disasters to cope with and coastal areas will experience the effects of sea levels rising.
AI and AR are already disrupting whole industries. AI’s impact on social media may lead to a ‘cesspool’ of synthetic content.
Retail will become more and more convenient and products more personalised as alternative sources of vitamins and proteins become a new opportunity. Increased connectivity will help the third world enjoy middle class information availability.
Demand on resources, logistics and food will reach breaking points without careful preparation.
Space tourism is close to becoming reality - what will they eat?
YOUR IDEA
It must be food related but can be a product, an ingredient, a packaging format, a manufacturing process or a digital solution. It can be unique or mainstream.
It can be something you are already doing or something completely new. This is for entrepreneurial minds so you don’t need to already be an entrepreneur to enter.
ROUND 1
Prepare and submit a 500 word summary now (deadline 26th Sept, 2024). It should include the issue or opportunity you are tackling, your proposed solution, why it should work, how it is scalable and who will benefit from it. Ensure that it is viable and commercially possible but creativity is fine too where you have used assumptions or citations. Upload your ideas now - it’s free to enter and you have nothing to lose.
ROUND 2
12 finalists will be selected to attend the Final on the 26th November. Before the event you will have a chance for mentoring to perfect your idea and pitch. On the day you will have a 5ft table and space for visual media, product, posters or samples. Judges and attendees will circulate the 12 pitches as you present and answer questions.
GRAND FINAL
The 3 best pitches based on the judging criteria will then be invited to present from the main stage in the theatre. You will have prepared a 5 minute powerpoint in advance (and in anticipation) of reaching this far.
The ultimate winner will be crowned - leaving the day with a £10,000 grant, a Future of Food gong, a certificate and much applause by key industry figures.
💡 Without rigour, we miss opportunities, waste resources, and end up pursuing innovation initiatives that don’t solve the problem.
JUDGING CRITERIA
These are some of the things they will be looking out for:
What’s the problem? - Pitches need to clearly demonstrate the problem they are solving or the opportunity they are making the most of - any evidence of this will help. Time scales for success should be within the next 5-20 years or so.
Impact on Society - A key measure of a successful idea will be the impact the idea will have on society or communities in the future.
Why will it work? - They will be looking to see if you have considered success factors but also potential roadblocks concerning the viability and commerciality of the idea. Include assumptions or citations where you can to back up your thinking.
How scalable is it? - Another important consideration is the scalability of the idea. This can either be the size the idea itself can have or the behavioral change it influencers on others to adapt or change. It doesn’t need to be the next unicorn - it could be a pressure brand disrupting and influencing change in much bigger companies.
Perfect your pitch - Finally, judges will be looking for a well-rehearsed, thoughtful and confident pitch. If you are selected as one of the 12 finalists, you will need to prepare any form of media that can be used to bring your idea to life. It goes without saying that engaging with the judges will be important. The top 3 finalists of the day will then be invited to present a 5 minute powerpoint/presentation to the audience from the stage. (All 12 finalists will need to send their finished presentations by the 22nd November 2024.)
💡 Remember! These guidelines are here to give you an idea - but not a mandate - of what to consider and include. Original thought and creativity are encouraged.
