Challenge 03: Food Systems
We’re supporting innovators who are making urban food systems more sustainable, secure and healthy. Get funding and support to scale your innovative solutions. Applications to Challenge 03 have now closed.
Future industries demonstratorFuel the future of food in London
Food is more than just sustenance – it's a powerful force that shapes our lives, from the inside out. It fuels our bodies, nourishes our mental health, connects us with others, and leaves a lasting impact on the environment.
This challenge is an urgent call out to all London innovators working to enable more healthy and sustainable food systems for our communities. East London is already a hotbed of innovative food initiatives, and our goal is to help the local ecosystem further demonstrate and scale up its bold ideas.
This isn't about incremental change; it's about systemic transformation. We're seeking holistic solutions that tackle the complex web of challenges facing our food systems. If your SME is developing groundbreaking solutions in this area, we want you on board.
Together, let's reshape how London eats – and set a global standard for sustainable food systems that cater to all.
Areas of Interest
We are open to receiving applications from any solution that has the potential to make urban food systems more culturally diverse, sustainable, secure and healthy. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Innovative growing models: Urban farming and novel approaches to maximising food production in limited spaces.
- Access and skills: Increasing access to equipment and training for food preparation, promoting food literacy and culinary skills in the community.
- Waste reduction: Solutions that minimise food waste throughout the supply chain, from production and transportation to consumption, incorporating circular economy principles.
- Sustainable production: Innovative methods for increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and minimising environmental impact in food production. This includes alternative food sources, production methods, and packaging solutions.
- Healthy eating: Promoting understanding of healthy diets and habits, empowering consumers to make informed choices through education and awareness initiatives.
The Prize
In this five-month programme, you will benefit from direct access to an extensive pool of resources and support designed to open the door to mass market adoption. We’ve assembled experts from across east London’s innovation ecosystem to work hand in hand with your team to build, test and scale up your solution at the urgent pace the climate crisis requires.
Venture Creator (Build it)
Benefit from a scale up programme tailored to the needs of your team and solution, taking early stage prototypes to validated products in an accelerated cycle of 8 weeks.
Testbed Deployment (Test It)
Test, pilot or scale your solution over three months in real-world locations at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and four east London boroughs.
Ecosystem Exposure (Show It)
Take centre stage at the Knowledge Exchange Workshop and Demo Day, connecting your solution to a network of peers, investors, enablers and adopters.
Successful applicants will also receive…
Up to £20,000 grant
to supplement scaling plans
£5,000 budget
to support testbed activity
Free co-working space
at Plexal innovation hub
1:1 coaching
with a UCL specialist in circular business, plus connections into wider UCL expertise
Access to the Loop
Events and networks at East London’s hub for Circular Economy
What We’re Looking For
Aligns with one of our challenge impact areas
At least an early stage prototype
Fulfils a clear, evidenced market need
Requires financial or non-financial support to scale
Created by a London-based SME or startup
This challenge is open to all types of solutions that support the transition to a resilient capital. As well as new tech, we want to uplift innovators who are: building new services and business models; using digital tools to monitor and manage the environment; thinking about climate justice; supporting behavior change; driving opportunities for new economies; and more.
Important: before applying, please
download and review the Application Guidance to see the full criteria.
What is the Future Industries Demonstrator?
The Future Industries Demonstrator (FID) is a mission-led scale up programme focused on supporting London-based enterprises who are working on innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis. It focuses on the real problems that citizens face in east London and the market solutions that, with investment and tailored support, will accelerate our collective transition to Net Zero and fairer economies.
FID provides pioneering start-ups and SMEs with financial backing, as well as linking them to collaborative networks, workspaces and local knowledge resources that give them the best chance to succeed.
Delivered by
Supported by
About SHIFT
The Future Industries Demonstrator is led by SHIFT. We’re a local east London innovation agency with a mission to accelerate innovation that transforms how we live in cities.
One of our key roles is to facilitate access to the internationally recognised testbed at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which innovators can use to test and demonstrate the potential of new solutions. Through our carefully curated ecosystem, we build connections and spark collaboration between startups, corporates, universities, community groups and policymakers.
