A GLOBAL CALL
FOR MOONSHOTS
REALIZING A HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE, AND EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM
Each year we publish a call for Moonshots focused on a specific challenge — a global–scale
obstacle to a food system that can nourish 10 Billion people and sustain the planet.
We believe these challenges are opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors
and human progress.
NEW: FoodShot Global 2019 Annual Report
2018 CHALLENGE: INNOVATING SOIL 3.0
THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGE IMAGINES A WORLD WHERE SOIL SUPPORTS
MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD, INCREASES YIELDS AND FARMER PROFITS,
AND COMBATS CLIMATE CHANGE

We invite entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates to submit their business, research, or
policy proposals for funding consideration.

Submissions will be reviewed by experts who will provide issuespecific insights and vet
applications for boldness, viability, and impact.

Best-in-class candidates will be selected to receive equity and debt financing for their businesses.

A cash prize will be awarded to Soil GroundBreakers - rising stars working in research, social
enterprise, or advocacy. GroundBreaker nominations will be accepted from FoodShot's diverse
community of partners and aligned organizations, including a range of food system innovators,
investors, and thought leaders.

WHY SOIL 3.0?
INNOVATION CAN ENABLE SOIL, ON A GLOBAL BASIS, TO
SUSTAIN 10 BILLION PEOPLE AND SUSTAIN THE PLANET
SOIL 1.0
Soil began its journey as a mixture of organic matter and minerals, creating an ecosystem that enabled agriculture to take root — this was Soil 1.0. Driven by the need for food security in the wake of two World Wars and the Great Depression, synthetic fertilizers and industrialized farming spread quickly. Soil became a medium for the delivery of chemicals to fight weeds and pests, and maximize yields — this is Soil 2.0.
SOIL 2.0
But Soil 2.0 has systemic shortcomings: it does not maintain soil nutrient integrity, crop yields no longer meet the growing demand for food, soil organic matter is being destroyed, an over-reliance on irrigation has reduced resilience to drought, and farmers face higher input costs in an era of low commodity prices. We need a new soil operating system that unifies advances in science and technology with regenerative farming practices.
SOIL 3.0
The inaugural FoodShot Challenge aims to identify groundbreaking solutions that will collectively create a new soil operating system — Soil 3.0 — to increase soil organic matter, grow more nutrient-dense food, improve water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and serve as a foundation for a food system capable of sustaining ten billion people and our planet.




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INNOVATING SOIL 3.0 SOLUTIONS

FoodShot Global winners will build a new soil foundation by
providing game changing technological and ecological
tools that enable farmers to optimize yields and the
long-term health of the land.


SOLUTIONS
SECTORS
GOALS
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SOLUTIONS
FoodShot solutions will help achieve improvements in:
  • Global scale optimization of existing input efficiencies or radical new alternative inputs (water, fertilizers, pesticides, land-use)
  • Soil health improvements that support crop resilience to drought/pests/disease
  • Reduced deforestation and clearing of other native ecosystems (wetlands, grasslands)
  • Enhanced nutrient use efficiency from all sources to optimize uptake by plants and minimize losses to the environment, and reduced reliance on chemical and synthetic inputs
  • Carbon and nutrient sequestration
  • Alternative production and scaling of regenerative agricultural methods to increase soil health and commodity yields
  • Understanding and managing the soil microbiome to enhance drought resilience, carbon sequestration, disease suppression, and nutrient and water availability
  • Achieving greater human health through improved soil health
SECTORS
Examples of Investable Sectors
  • Low cost, integrated, multi-parameter soil sensors
  • Visualization systems via satellite and drones
  • Robotics
  • Predictive analytics
  • Precision agriculture
  • Biological-based crop protection
  • Biological-based soil nutrient enhancements
  • Soil carbon sequestration technologies
  • Soil microbiome technologies
  • Farmer education and Peer-to-Peer learning systems
GOALS
Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
  • Goal #6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • Goal #12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • Goal #13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Goal #15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss
DEADLINE TO APPLY
JANUARY 8, 2019
FoodShot announced its call for applications to the 2018 Challenge on September 13, 2018.

Winners will be announced and the 2019 Challenge will be published in June 2019.