The WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched by the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme in 2015 to source new ideas, sprint pilot projects, and scale high-impact innovations by connecting them with WFP’s global network in over 120 countries and territories. From its base in Munich, Germany, the WFP Innovation Accelerator has grown to become one of the world's leading social impact startup accelerators. In 2023 the WFP Innovation Accelerator ran 16 programmes addressing a wide range of social impact and sustainability issues, including climate change, primary healthcare, gender equality, and emergency response. 

 

Our Impact in 2023
70
Countries & Territories
60.7 million
People

Building on WFP’s legacy of innovation, the WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched in 2015 to pilot new solutions and scale promising innovations to disrupt hunger. We positively impacted the lives of 60.7 million people across 70 countries in 2023 alone. 

The WFP Innovation Accelerator was named in Fast Company’s lists of 2021's Most Innovative Companies (Non-Profit), 2021's Best Workplaces for Innovators, and 2020’s Innovation Team of the Year. Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, Bernhard Kowatsch, was also a 2023 Innovative Leader of the Year Fast Company finalist. 

Globally, WFP was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize "for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict." Find out more at www.wfp.org/enablers.

What we do

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 millions of 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.

What we offer

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.

Equity-Free Funding
Hands-On Support
Access to Field Operations
What sets us apart?
We’re ranked one of the most innovative companies in the world.
Eight years, 55 bootcamps and millions of people reached.
We’re on the cutting-edge of the world’s largest humanitarian agency.
We have a world-class network of mentors, partners and startups.
We’re located in the heart of Munich and tapped into a global innovation ecosystem.
Our Innovation Principles
Human-Centered Design
Creating tailor-made solutions for people we serve.
BUILDLEARNMEASURE
Lean Startup
Experimentation, iterative design and user feedback.
Innovating for Zero Hunger
Explore the projects currently supported by the WFP Innovation Accelerator

EMPACT

Connecting youth to the digital economy - Graduated Project

H2Grow

Growing food in impossible places

CODA (Conditional On-Demand Assistance)

Simplified solutions for complex programmes
Our Donors

The WFP Innovation Accelerator is generously supported by: Donors 2023