A Nigerian agri-tech start-up, Vet Konect Ltd, has emerged as one of three finalists in the inaugural World Food Prize ‘Innovate for Impact Challenge’.
Vet Konect, alongside Argentina’s APOLO Biotech and India’s Capsber Agriscience, was selected from nearly 400 applications spanning 65 countries after a 10-month global competition, the World Food Prize announced.
The three finalists pitched their concepts live to a panel of judges at the 2025 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Iowa, United States.
Vet Konect, which finished first runner-up, was represented by Terese Shadrach Akpem, Founder and CEO, and received a $10,000 prize. The start-up was recognised for its pioneering work in reimagining animal care across Africa, leveraging mobile connectivity and artificial intelligence to provide animal health coverage and social protection for livestock farmers, overcoming barriers of distance and access.
In 2024, Vet Konect was named among 38 global change agents by the World Food Prize as ‘Top AgriFood Pioneers’ for their collective efforts to transform global food systems.
The global winner, APOLO Biotech, received $50,000, with co-founder and CEO Matias Badano leading the initiative. APOLO Biotech uses RNA technology to tackle challenges related to climate change and reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides.
Capsber Agriscience, taking third place, awarded $5,000, was recognised for revolutionising agriculture through a next-generation microbiome platform that reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by harnessing natural biological processes.
The Innovate for Impact Challenge identifies and supports early-stage, tech-driven startups with transformative solutions to address global food security and sustainability challenges. Participants ranged from validated concepts to pre-Series A funding.
The finalists pitched their ideas at the Borlaug Dialogue, with judges evaluating novelty, significance, viability, demand, alignment with environmental and social goals, and scalability across diverse contexts.
Tom Vilsack, CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, said:
“Innovation is the key to solving today’s agricultural challenges and securing a sustainable future for global food systems. By empowering startups to break new ground, we are cultivating the next generation of visionaries who will help feed the world and protect our planet.”
The challenge not only accelerates innovation in agriculture but also fosters a global community of problem-solvers committed to building resilient and sustainable food systems.
