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Feed the Future by Lely is looking for the next generation tech pioneers who have what it takes to shape the future of dairy farming together with one of the world’s leading businesses in agriculture. Lely’s inventions have substantially changed traditions in agriculture across the globe. Now Lely is looking for startups to discover new solutions that will innovate and address the needs of farming today and in the future!
By providing new tech solutions, still unknown to the dairy industry, your idea can revolutionise the farming process of thousands of dairy farmers worldwide. This is what we call cross-industry innovation. Could your technology be applied to dairy farming? Let’s find out now and sign up for Feed the Future by Lely.
We are looking for entrepreneurs who think outside the box and are up to the challenge to apply their tech to the dairy farming process. Lely is interested to collaborate with startups that are using promising, new technologies to make a positive impact. Startups need to have proof of concept or an MVP. The challenge is open to entrepreneurs worldwide with a market focus preferably on Europe or North America.
The global challenges of population growth and climate change demand innovative solutions to feed the future. Not only by increasing food supply but also by providing innovations that will allow the dairy farming industry to become more sustainable and time-efficient, and improve the quality of life of men and animal on this planet. Let’s build a future that is profitable and enjoyable at the same time.
Applications Open
Applications Close
Top 10 Selected
The Finals
Ten startups will be invited for the Finals on 20 and 21 November 2019 at the Lely Campus, in the Netherlands. The winner will receive a unique chance to collaborate with one of the most innovative companies in the world.
You will get exposure in the network of one of world’s leading businesses in agriculture. As the ‘farming innovator’, Lely provides solutions for customers in 40 countries across the world.
You will have a chance to pitch for investment from Lely. The winner will proceed discussions with Lely to onboard the company as an investor.
In addition to the opportunity for investment, the winner will receive a reward of €15.000.
Travel and accommodation grants will be provided to support your participation in the Finals, the two-day event at the Lely Campus in the Netherlands.
The winner will be given the opportunity to grow by leveraging Lely’s extensive network, especially when your offering is in line with Lely’s range of products or components.
After the challenge the winner will receive coaching by Lely and Rockstart to identify key challenges and connect with relevant business contacts, investors and mentors.
is supported by
The Huelsenberg Group is a globally acting, diversified group of companies, organized into four business units, which concentrate on agribusiness (UNION AGRICOLE), biotechnology (BIOTIC SCIENCE), renewable energies (ENBYCON) and industrial combustion technology, emission and ambient control and data management, and tunnel safety (DURAG).
Nutreco is a global leader in animal nutrition and aquafeed.
VAS is a technology company transforming dairy operations with connected technology, business intelligence and analytics.
Feed the Future is specifically looking for innovative solutions with breakthrough technology that have the potential to significantly contribute to one or more of the following solution areas:
In an ideal world a machine never requires maintenance. Reality is that they do need service. How can your solution contribute to predict service demand and make maintenance as easy as possible?
Think of a future with a significant reduced GHG footprint, limited use of water and energy, improved feed efficiency and better longevity of the animals. How to increase sustainability at dairy farms?
The more data we capture of the animals and their surroundings and well-being, the better we can optimize the husbandry conditions and increase animal health and welfare.
Unlocking information and connecting data sources throughout the value chain is essential to predict and limit risks, increase productivity, and achieve end-to-end transparency for various purposes.
The farming innovators
Innovation is part of Lely's DNA since its foundation in 1948. The family business started as a ‘studio for invention’ and became a global pioneer and leading supplier of robotics and farm management data for the dairy farm. Lely invented the milking robot, which is recognized as the most important invention of the 20th century for dairy farmers. With its unique distribution network, Lely gives access to at least 70% of the professional dairy farmers around the globe providing them with all types of robots for feeding, milking and maintenance of stables.
With a focus on solving farming problems and asking questions such as “What does the next generation of farmers need?”, Lely became the leader in robotics and farm management we know today. Their inventions substantially changed traditions in agriculture across the globe. When introducing a product to the market that represents a breakthrough for farming, Lely calls this a ‘Yellow Revolution’. This Yellow Revolution concept started in 2005. Since then, ten Yellow Revolutions have launched.
Lely has joined forces with numerous organisations worldwide to make life in the agricultural sector easier and work towards a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future. Now they are looking for startups to discover new solutions that will revolutionise, innovate and address the needs of farming today and in the future!
