Giving Compass' Take:

• In tandem with its annual competition, Thought For Food is launching its Digital Labs, a digital accelerator designed for young food and agriculture entrepreneurs. 

• Participants will have access to mentorship, resources, and a global network. How can funders help support more programs like this one? 

• Here's an article on saving the food supply with technology and traditional practices. 

On World Food Day 2019, Thought For Food is launching its 2019 Challenge and Digital Labs to help young leaders address the challenge of feeding 10 billion people sustainably. TFF’s Challenge occurs annually, and this year TFF is unveiling its Digital Labs, a digital accelerator and collaboration platform for food and agriculture.

The TFF Challenge focuses on creating and accelerating food and agriculture startups. Participants have access to mentorship, can access to the TFF community, may be selected to attend its Academy and Summit, and can utilize the Digital Labs.

The Digital Labs offers an online curriculum comprised of five different labs: Knowledge, Entrepreneurship, Personal Growth, Inspiration, and Extracurriculars. Within the labs, entrepreneurs can access a plethora of expert-designed learning modules like “Bootstrapping Biotechnology,” “Regenerative Agroforestry,” and “How to Pitch.” In addition to TFF’s online presence, Gould says that TFF’s “boots on the ground” include 13 Regional Coordinators in 7 regions and a large international cohort of ambassadors.

TFF designed Digital Labs for the needs of entrepreneurs in a digitized society. TFF CEO and founder Christine Gould emphasizes the rapidly changing nature of entrepreneurship and innovation, especially among GenZs and Millennials. For example, Gould explains that numerous TFF teams are global and “work across time zones on a shared goal.” According to Gould, developing strong soft skills is more important than ever to succeed in high-tech, cross-cultural industries like food and agriculture—which is why the Digital Labs offers modules that focus on leadership and networking.

Read the full article on next-generation food and agriculture accelerator by Mackenzie Dion at Food Tank.