The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator sources, supports and scales high-impact innovations to achieve Zero Hunger. Based in Munich, Germany, we provide WFP employees, entrepreneurs and startups with funding, hands-on support and access to WFP’s global operations. Through the Innovation Accelerator, WFP is leveraging unprecedented advances in digital innovation—such as mobile technology, artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain—and new business models to transform the way we serve vulnerable communities across the world.
Building on WFP’s legacy of innovation, the Innovation Accelerator was launched in 2015 to pilot new solutions and scale promising innovations to disrupt hunger. In just five years, we've supported more than 80 projects around the world, with 11 innovations scaling up to reach 1.4 million people in 2019. In 2020, we were one of 10 organizations worldwide to be named in Fast Company’s 2020 awards: “Best Workplace for Innovators” and “Innovation Team of the Year.”
We help innovators sprint from idea to impact
Our Sprint Programme is an intense six-month acceleration programme that helps innovators and start-ups reach proof-of-concept and develop prototypes ready for implementation. Apply for access to US $100,000 in funding, world-class mentors, results-driven programming, and WFP’s vast field operations.
We enable the scale-up of high-impact innovations
Our Scale-Up Enablement Programme enables the rapid scale up of high-impact innovations by providing tailored strategic planning, fundraising, communications, knowledge management and mentorship support. We scale up innovations that have the potential to significantly disrupt hunger by improving the livelihoods of over 100,000 people, increasing efficiency and effectiveness across multiple countries.
We explore game-changing frontier innovations
New technologies are rapidly developing and deeply transforming our lives and the world, including in the area of humanitarian aid. Our Frontier Innovations Programme explores game-changing innovations and new technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, edge computing and robotics to help humanitarians deliver on their mandate more effectively.
We provide a platform for innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
WFP is committed to strengthening global partnerships that deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. Our Innovation Services Programme creates custom acceleration programmes, innovation journeys and ecosystem building activities with other United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, foundations and private sector organisations. Our goal is to drive systemic change through working together.
Do you have a bold idea to disrupt hunger? Apply to the WFP Innovation Accelerator for the possibility to receive up to US $100,000 in equity-free funding, mentorship from industry experts, and access to the world’s largest humanitarian organization.
