LDC Climate Resilience Prize 2025: CHF100,000 for startups driving sustainability in agriculture

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and MassChallenge Switzerland have announced the third edition of the LDC Climate Resilience Prize, offering an unconditional, non-dilutive CHF100,000 (US$112,000) cash award. The prize aims to support startups developing innovative solutions that enhance climate resilience in agriculture and food value chains. Applications are open until 21 March, with an information session scheduled for 18 March at 5pm CET. The winning startup will be announced at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards in Lausanne on 30 October 2025.

LDC, a global merchant and processor of agricultural commodities, is committed to advancing sustainability across food supply chains. Through its corporate venture capital program, Louis Dreyfus Company Ventures, the company invests in early-stage firms developing transformative technologies, processes, and solutions that improve sustainability, efficiency, and profitability in food and agriculture. MassChallenge Switzerland facilitates connections between LDC and selected startups, fostering collaboration to address critical industry challenges.

“We’re pleased to once again sponsor the LDC Climate Resilience Prize, established in 2023 with MassChallenge Switzerland to support visionary startups whose ideas, technologies and solutions have the highest potential for lasting positive climate impact in food and agricultural supply chains," said Michael Gelchie, Louis Dreyfus Company's CEO. "We look forward to connecting and collaborating with more innovative and like-minded entrepreneurs who are helping to shape a more sustainable future for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The prize offers more than just financial support. In addition to the CHF100,000 award, the winning startup will receive guidance on quantifying its climate resilience impact through workshops and coaching. Participants will gain exposure to investors and industry leaders, including LDC decision-makers, and may have the opportunity to explore commercial partnerships. The competition also provides a platform for startups to present their solutions at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards, attended by over 400 industry stakeholders.

The LDC Climate Resilience Prize seeks startups that have proven solutions addressing key sustainability challenges in agriculture, including land use efficiency through regenerative agriculture, smart farming, water conservation, and biodiversity protection. Other areas of interest include end-to-end traceability solutions for food supply chains, upcycling of agricultural byproducts to increase value and reduce waste, CO2 reduction across agricultural operations, feed production, processing, and transportation, and biofuel innovations such as low-carbon feedstocks and advanced production technologies.

Startups must demonstrate measurable climate impact, such as CO2 reduction, water savings, or waste prevention, using the MassChallenge Impact Calculator. Eligible applicants should have a viable, scalable business model and a track record of traction in their market. Companies at Series B to C+ stages are encouraged to apply, though startups of all maturity levels will be considered based on their impact potential. While applications are open to startups worldwide, finalists must be able to attend in-person accelerator events in Switzerland.

Startups that meet the eligibility criteria can apply online by March 21st. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a MassChallenge Switzerland event in early July, where they will participate in workshops and receive coaching to refine their climate impact metrics. A semi-final pitch round will take place online, followed by a final competition in Lausanne, where a jury will select the winner. The winning startup will be announced at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards on October 30th.

For further details or inquiries, email switzerland@masschallenge.org.