The Manure Challenge : An Expedited Pathway to Circular Farm Systems
The Why
We envision a world in which farmers, in addition to feeding us, provide clean water, organic fertilizers and fuel, and do so in a way that increases their profitability. To get there, we need innovation.
As such, we’re launching The Manure Challenge: An expedited pathway to circular farm systems. Through the Challenge, we seek to scale solutions for farmers – small to large – to deliver essential ecosystem services to communities around the United States. The Challenge will guide start-ups with solutions that capture the value from manure-based nutrients, fiber, and energy on an expedited path to market.
The Details
This non-dilutive startup accelerator program identifies innovative manure-based product solutions and supports the most promising ones with business and market development coaching. The Challenge will focus on increasing collaboration among established industry companies and experts and the selected startup companies. The Challenge will provide mentoring and resources to help the selected startup companies advance in the areas of technical, business, financial and environmental impact.
6-10 companies will be selected to be part of a cohort, and those companies will pitch their solutions to investors and industry stakeholders during an event in early 2020. A judging panel will select winners and will award a prize to the winner(s).
The Challenge starts in March 2019 and runs through March 2020.
The Manure Challenge is advised by a range of organizations, including Dairy Farmers of America, Newtrient and World Wildlife Fund.
If you are interested in learning more about the project, please contact Brandon Day, brandon@theyieldlab.com.