Moonshots for Development (M4D) Open Innovation Challenge

The Moonshots for Development (M4D) Open Innovation Challenge is a global innovation challenge + multi-phase grant program designed to support scalable solutions that improve food systems, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. It is backed by a consortium of global institutions including IFAD, ADB, CGIAR, and ESA.

Sectors Focused –

• Agriculture / AgriTech
• ClimateTech / Sustainability
• Food Systems & Rural Development
• AI / Geospatial Tech (preferred)
• Insurance (Agri risk)
• Digital advisory / extension systems
• Agroecology & climate-resilient farming

Who is it for:
This program targets growth-stage startups, enterprises, NGOs, and research teams that already have a working solution or pilot. It is open globally, with strong focus on solutions impacting smallholder farmers, rural communities, and underserved populations.

What do you get:
Selected startups enter a multi-phase journey that includes:

• Bootcamp + mentorship
• Early funding ($10K)
• Pilot funding ($100K)
• Scale-up funding ($250K)
  Along with global mentorship, partnerships, and implementation support.

Why it matters:
This is not just a grant – it’s a global scaling platform. It gives startups access to:

• Large development organizations
• Real-world pilot opportunities
• Global expansion pathways

For founders in Agri/ClimateTech, this can directly lead to international deployments and partnerships, not just funding.

Offerings –

• Grant funding up to $360K (non-dilutive)
• Multi-phase support (bootcamp → pilot → scale)
• Global mentorship & expert guidance
• Access to international partners & institutions
• Pilot opportunities in real-world environments
• Support for scaling and implementation
• Global exposure & ecosystem access