The international XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion competition, aimed at finding innovative protein alternatives, concludes its final phase in Abu Dhabi.
The final marks the end of a four-year contest to develop superior alternatives to chicken and fish, offering a US $15 million prize pool to incentivise global teams to excel in areas like access, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, nutrition, and taste. The competition seeks to create products that are both delicious and environmentally sustainable.
The final phase will evaluate the structure, preparation, and cookability of the entries, along with sensory aspects like taste, aroma, texture, appearance, and overall resemblance to traditional proteins. The judging panel, comprising experts in food science, sustainability, and culinary arts, will select the top team from six finalists.
Launched with ASPIRE, the UAE’s R&D catalyst, and the Tony Robbins Foundation, this event addresses the urgent need for sustainable food sources as the global population approaches 10 billion by 2050. This month, six finalist teams will present their innovations in Abu Dhabi, with the winner announced on 30th October.
Since its inception in December 2020, the XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion competition has aimed to revolutionise food sustainability. From over 350 entries, six teams from Argentina, China, Canada, Austria, Estonia, and South Korea have reached the final stage after stringent evaluations on nutrition, safety, environmental impact, and economic feasibility.
According to the World Bank, food inflation surpasses overall inflation in over half of 166 countries, emphasising the need for scalable, sustainable protein alternatives. The competition was inspired by XPRIZE’s analysis of global food system challenges, which identified the need for alternative proteins as crucial for achieving food security and sustainability by 2050.
