ARE YOU TRANSFORMING FOOD SYSTEMS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE?
Green Shoots is an exciting new startup pitch competition, taking place at Gulfood Green from 24 – 26 September 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, that will accelerate the growth of the most promising startups within the sector.
Accelerate Your Startup Growth & Get A Chance To Win US $50,000
Dedicated to the global food tech startup ecosystem and supported by the UAE Ministry of Economy, global investors, leading food corporations and trailblazing industry experts
Supported By
Essential Information
Process to be a part of the Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition
Step 1: Express Interest To Apply
Step 2: Book An Exhibition Package
Step 3: Get Invited To Apply
Step 4: Submit Application On:
www.pitchlounge.net/green-shoots
Step 5: Await Shortlisting Decision
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Join Gulfood Green now for your chance to compete for cash prize of US $50,000 and invaluable investor networking, mentorship, and learning at our exciting new pitch competition. The Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition will pit the most exciting food and agtech startups head-to-head, as they pitch in front of a jury of world-leading VCs, corporates, and prominent industry experts, to be crowned 2024 champion.
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Supported by the UAE Ministry of Economy, The Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition, is taking place across 3 action-packed days of panel sessions, workshops, and the pitch competition at Gulfood Green from 24 – 26 September 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre, and will accelerate the growth of the most promising startups within the sector.
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To participate in the Green Shoots pitch competition, you must be an exhibiting startup at Gulfood Green 2024. Once you book your Exhibition Package, you will then automatically be eligible to take part in the competition. Once applied we will get in touch directly to support you in your presentation development and help prepare you for the competition.
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To apply, please complete the form. One of our team will be in touch directly to secure your spot for Gulfood Green in 2024.
What's In It For You?
secure vital funding to accelerate the growth & development of your startup
showcase your startup to a diverse group of global investors & secure support
engage in one-to-one networking with industry leaders, mentors & advisors
Pitching Categories
If you're an agri-food entrepreneur with an impactful startup, apply now to pitch at Gulfood Green 2024! Showcase your solutions that are shaping the future of food.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Food Security
Food Loss & Waste
Health & Nutrition
Supply Chain Resilience
Tech Innovation
Why Should You Pitch With Us?
Competition Judges
They are highly experienced, well-connected, and active FoodTech/AgriFood/F&B experts and startup-investor funding scouts, fund managers, and/or investors in their own right. The entire list of Jury Panelists will be announced soon and confirmed panelists announced on a rolling basis.
Widespread Exposure
You will pitch at the UAE's leading food expo live to a jury of investors and startup advisors, this is a hybrid event, we will be recording the event and will be sharing across our network. With everything in one place from food, sustainability, supply chain, technology and the latest equipment, Gulfood Green 2024 is an invaluable event to help move your establishment forward and inspire your customers.
✅ ​Connect directly with tens of thousands of major buyers and wholesalers from across the world under one roof, over three days.
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✅ 89% of visitors specify, influence or make the final decision to spend making this the right platform for exposure.
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✅ 50k contacts on the Pitch Lounge startup-investor database, 60k+ connections and followers on LinkedIn, and 100,000+ impressions per month.
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Connection To The Startup Investor Ecosystem
In addition to the investor panelists at the event, we will also connect you with the wider ecosystem who actively support startups. A month long promotion across our social networks will put you across multiple stakeholders from across the globe, this will help you increase your chances of strengthening your goals and help scale you faster.
✅ Pre-event pitch deck analysis and 1-on-1 pitch coaching to ensure you are prepared for the live pitch competition​
✅ Pre or post-event, in-person informal networking with startups and others from the F&B industry in UAE and globally
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✅ Post-event inclusion in our community of follow-up events, pitching resources, and investor lists.
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Future Opportunities
Be a part of regular F&B online and hybrid events on a monthly basis - pitch, panel, and networking formats. There are future opportunities for your company to be actively involved in our events and secure continued access to our community as well as closer bespoke arrangements we can discuss.
✅ Prioritised access to our pitch panels (event series dependent)
✅ Discounted sponsorship/ partner opportunities for subsequent Pitch Lounge and partner events
✅ Bespoke marketing, event production and other services (available on request)
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Will shortlisted startups be provided a pitch rehearsal and/or live pitch coaching?Yes. Shortlisted startups will each be afforded a 1-on-1 free coaching hour with the Pitch Lounge team to rehearse their live pitch.
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Are there available slides and/or a recording from the online Info Session (8th August 2024)?Presentation Deck Zoom Recording
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If I win, what happens next?The team will be in touch directly during Gulfood Green.
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What is the judging criteria?The general judging criteria is broken down into five main areas. Please keep these in mind as you design your pitch deck, pitch video, and deliver your Semi-Final and Final pitches! ï‚· Innovation: How groundbreaking is the idea? Does it disrupt the status quo? ï‚· Market: Is there a clear market need? How big is the opportunity (size & growth)? Can it scale widely? ï‚· Business Model: Does the solution have a clear path to profitability? Who are their target customers and pricing strategy? ï‚· Traction: Have they achieved any early wins (revenue, customers, funding)? ï‚· Team: Does the team have the skills and experience to succeed? (FULL) Judging Criteria
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What should my pitch deck include?Check out the following reference sites for the Guy Kawasaki framework and an AI Pitch Deck Feedback Tool (featured on pp. 38-57 of the Info Session Presentation), and more: 1. What should be on your pitch deck? 2. Guy Kawasaki 10:20:30 Rule 3. http://bestpitchdecks.com 4. Self-Assessment Pitch Deck Scoring 5. AI Pitch Deck Feedback Tool 6. https://slidebean.com/blog/pitch-deck-structure 7. Pitch Deck Branding & Development Support
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What are the prizes?USD 50,000 Prize Fund: secure vital funding to accelerate your startups’ growth and development. Investor Introductions: showcase your businesses to a diverse group of international investors, enhancing your chances of securing additional investment and expert feedback. Exclusive Networking: engage in one-to-one networking with industry leaders, advisors, and mentors, fostering valuable connections and collaborations. Growth Strategies: dedicated workshops and panel discussions designed to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to scale your startup globally
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Who is eligible to apply?Agri or F&B startup (early- or growth-stage) Impactful Exhibiting in the Green Shoots Startup Zone at Gulfood Green 2024
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When will I find out if I have been shortlisted to pitch in the semi-finals?The announcements of the shortlisted startups for the semi-finals will be announced on Friday, 30 Aug 14:00 GST.
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I have applied to pitch, what next?After initially expressing your interest in the Pitch Competition, the Pitch Lounge team will be in contact with you to request your Pitch Deck, 60-second Pitch Video and further information required to score your application. Self-help resources are available via the links and other support is available from Pitch Lounge to help you prepare your application. Contact Pitch Lounge early to secure their support.
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What happens if I still have questions? Who can I communicate with?Jamal Maxey from Pitch Lounge is the project manager for the Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition. Connect and message him on LinkedIn here. OR Email: jamal@pitchlounge.net OR Book a Short Call
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When is it taking place?Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th September 2024 (Day 1 and Day 2 of the three-day Gulfood Green 2024).
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If I am not shortlisted to participate in the semi-finals, what can I do?If you are not shortlisted, there are still many opportunities for you: Notify the organisers of your willingness to be on reserve for the Semi-Finals in case of startup withdrawals Submit your Elevator Video Pitch in advance of the event and/or via the Pitch Lounge iPad stands during Gulfood Green 2024 Register for the workshops on pitching and other relevant startup support topics Engage with the Pitch Competition Jury, other investors, and the wider Gulfood Green audience digitally and in-person during the three-day event
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How can I apply?To participate in the Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition, you must be an exhibiting startup at Gulfood Green 2024. We will notify you via email once the Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition is open for applications. You can then submit your deck and 1-minute video pitch to the Pitch Lounge team who advise you on submitting a successful application. See startup support resource links in answers to FAQs below: "What should my pitch deck include?" and "What should my pitch video include?" Successful semi-finalists will be announced closer to the event (likely before 2nd September). Before applying for the pitch competition, please complete the Exhibition Package Registration Form by following the button below. One of our team will be in touch directly to secure your spot for Gulfood Green 2024.
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How many startups are pitching?Up to 15 startups will be shortlisted to participate in the Semi-Finals with three selected startups advancing to the Finals which will take place on Day 2 of Gulfood Green 2024.
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Who are the pitch competition judges?They are highly experienced, well-connected, and active FoodTech/AgriFood/F&B experts and startup-investor funding scouts, fund managers, and/or investors in their own right. Confirmed so far: Erich Sieber (PeakBridge VC) Daniel Skaven Ruben (FoodTech Weekly | Solvable Syndicate | Blume Equity) Jana Elkova (UAE Ministry of Economy) Sharon Cittone (Edible Planet Ventures | Naked Innovations | EIIS - European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability) Thomas Anderson (Crowdfoods | IBB - Investment Bank of Berlin) Jennifer Stojkovic (Joyful VC | Vegan Women Summit | MeliBio) Elena Suciu (RSVP Business Angel | Founder Institute | MassChallenge Switzerland | Pitch Lounge) The entire list of Jury Panelists will be announced soon and confirmed panelists announced on a rolling basis.
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When is the application deadline?The (extended and final) deadline to apply via the Pitch Lounge website is 23.59 GST on Wednesday 28th August.
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What should my pitch video include?Your Pitch Video must be UNDER 60 seconds or it will not be considered. Your Pitch Video must be in English and have a clear shot of your upper body (sitting or standing). And the video is allowed to feature more than one founder/member of your team OR can simple feature one person. The video can be a simple 60 seconds video selfie to camera OR can be something more elaborate - but the above conditions apply. Regardless, it is required that you begin with the founder(s) presenting on screen at the beginning and/or at the end, if not throughout. Submit your video via WeTransfer to the Pitch Lounge team (info@pitchlounge.net). Check out the following reference sites for 60-second pitch structures and AI live feedback on your pitch (featured on pp. 58-64 of the Info Session Presentation): 1. https://fi.co/pitch-deck 2. https://madcreativebeanstalk.com/2023/10/29/how-to-pitch-your-startup-in-60-seconds 3. https://pitch-practice.vercel.app/evaluator 4. Video Editing Support
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What is the live pitching format?3 x Semi-final rounds, up to 5 startups per round. *** Semi-finals: 3-minute live pitch (followed by 3 minutes Q&A with the Judging Panel) Top 3 going head-to-head in the final (one advances from each of the three Semi-finals). *** Final: 5-minute live pitch (followed by 3-5 minutes Q&A with the Judging Panel)
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If I was selected to pitch previously but wasn’t able to attend, am I entitled to a spot in the semi-finals or finals?No, in-person live pitching from the stage is essential at the Green Shoots Startup Pitch Competition. No remote live pitching or pre-recorded, submitted, full-length video pitches are possible. There will be a new selection process each year. You will have to apply to be considered again. Similarly, if you are shortlisted for the Final after pitching in the Semi-Final but you miss the pitch, you will be replaced with the next runner-up.
Apply Now To Pitch
