XPRIZE and ASPIRE address global food security with alternative protein breakthroughs

The XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion competition, a global search for innovative protein alternatives, has reached its culminating stage in Abu Dhabi. A distinguished panel of food science, sustainability, and culinary experts is tasked with selecting the most promising team from six finalists. This marks the end of a four-year quest to develop superior substitutes for chicken and fish.

With a total prize purse of US$15 million, the competition aimed to inspire teams worldwide to create products that surpass traditional chicken and fish in five key areas: accessibility, environmental impact, animal welfare, nutritional value, and taste and texture. The objective was to produce not only delicious and nutritious food but also options that are environmentally friendly and ethically produced.

The final round will scrutinize the finalists' samples in terms of structure, preparation, and cooking performance, as well as sensory attributes such as taste, aroma, texture, appearance, and overall resemblance to their animal-based counterparts.

This groundbreaking initiative was launched in collaboration with ASPIRE, the UAE's R&D catalyst, and the Tony Robbins Foundation. With the global population projected to hit 10 billion by 2050, the demand for sustainable and alternative food sources has never been more critical, making this competition highly relevant.

Abu Dhabi is now the stage for rigorous taste testing and judging as six finalist teams showcase their groundbreaking innovations. The ultimate champion will be honored at an official awards ceremony on October 30 in Abu Dhabi.

"Addressing the global food security challenge requires bold and innovative solutions," stated Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE. "ASPIRE's support for the XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion competition underscores our commitment to harnessing advanced technology to ensure a sustainable and nutritious food supply for future generations."

Since its inception in December 2020, the XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion competition has achieved significant milestones in its mission to revolutionize food sustainability. Participants were held to rigorous rules and safety standards throughout the competition. From an initial pool of over 350 entries, only six teams from Argentina, China, Canada, Austria, Estonia, and South Korea successfully navigated the stringent evaluation process, which included assessments of nutritional content, food safety, environmental impact projections, and economic viability.

"The XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion competition exemplifies the extraordinary potential of innovation to tackle one of our era's most pressing challenges: sustainable global food supply," declared Anousheh Ansari, Chief Executive Officer of XPRIZE. "As we approach the final phase of this transformative competition, we are inspired by the dedication and ingenuity of the participating teams. Their breakthroughs in alternative proteins will be instrumental in building a more sustainable and resilient global food system."

According to the World Bank Group, food inflation has outpaced overall inflation in 53% of 166 countries, emphasizing the need for nutritious, sustainable, and scalable alternative proteins. The Feed the Next Billion competition was designed based on XPRIZE's analysis of global food system challenges, which identified 12 breakthroughs capable of creating a more food-secure and environmentally sustainable world by 2050. From these 12, the XPRIZE group prioritized the development of alternative proteins at scale as a crucial area requiring substantial technological advancements, reduced costs, and significant shifts in consumer preferences.