World Food Prize Foundation Names Four Innovate for Impact Finalists

In celebration of the World Food Prize's 40th anniversary, the World Food Prize Foundation has expanded this year's Innovate for Impact Challenge from three finalists to four, adding a special fourth prize for 2026. The four finalists will compete for $130,000 in total prizes: $65,000 for first place, $50,000 for second place, $10,000 for third place and $5,000 for fourth place.

Representatives from Brazil's Biotech4Life Soluções, Mexico's CeluNova, Colombia's Ciencia y Tecnología de Fagos SciPhage S.A.S. and Canada's Lyrata will travel to Des Moines, Iowa to pitch their innovations live to a panel of judges during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue on October 21, 2026. Following the live pitches, judges will select the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place winners.

"These four finalists embody the kind of bold, forward-thinking innovation that can help shape the future of our food systems," said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. "From turning agricultural waste into valuable resources to advancing sustainable growing systems and improving food safety, each team is addressing a critical challenge with a fresh perspective. Bringing these innovators to the Borlaug Dialogue gives them an opportunity to share their ideas with leaders from around the world and, importantly, build connections with the partners and resources needed to take their solutions to the next level."

The finalists were selected from over 1,500 applications from over 100 countries. They represent a diverse cross-section of the next generation of AgTech entrepreneurs transforming food systems, specializing in biotechnology, circular agriculture, sustainable production, food safety and resource efficiency.

"Norman Borlaug believed that innovation must ultimately reach the farmers and communities who need it most," said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. "These four finalists are carrying that spirit forward, developing solutions that have the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our food and agriculture systems. Bringing them to the Borlaug Dialogue gives them a global platform to share their ideas, build connections and turn promising innovations into lasting impact."

Biotech4Life Soluções | Brazil

Biotech4Life Soluções transforms shrimp farming residues into biofertilizers and biostimulants through a circular biorefinery platform. Its technology creates value from agricultural waste while improving crop yields, reducing synthetic fertilizer use and supporting more sustainable, resilient and accessible agricultural systems.

CeluNova | Mexico

CeluNova transforms discarded pineapple leaves into absorbent materials for essential hygiene products such as diapers. By creating new markets for agricultural residue, its model reduces open-field burning, improves air quality and provides pineapple farmers with additional income without competing with food production.

Ciencia y Tecnología de Fagos SciPhage S.A.S. | Colombia

SciPhage uses bacteriophage technology to target harmful bacteria in livestock, offering an alternative to antibiotics. Its platform supports safer, antibiotic-free animal production while reducing pathogen contamination, strengthening food safety, addressing antimicrobial resistance and improving productivity across poultry, swine and cattle.

Lyrata | Canada

Lyrata's SmartSoil is a reusable, plant-based growing medium designed to replace rockwool and peat in controlled-environment agriculture. By reducing lifecycle emissions, disease-related crop losses and waste, the technology supports more sustainable, climate-resilient food production in urban and resource-constrained communities.

"Being selected as a finalist is an incredible opportunity to share how Brazilian biotechnology can transform an environmental liability into an innovative and effective solution for agriculture," said Bella Giselly Alves, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Biotech4life Soluções. "It is an honor to represent Biotech4life on this global stage and connect with people who share our purpose: strengthening food security while building a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future."
If you are interested in attending the Innovate for Impact Challenge pitch event, click here to purchase your ticket.

For details on the Borlaug Dialogue and to register for the three-day conference, click here.