A critical part of the entrepreneurial process involves adopting an interactive approach and boiling down a concept into a persuasive pitch that will spark interest from potential financiers.

The Elevator Pitch Contest (EPC) founded by Sight and Life has provided a platform for students to effectively present their innovation in nutrition to distinguished experts, potential investors, and the nutrition science community.

To date, the EPC has identified disruptive innovations and mentored 44 entrepreneurs from emerging economies on critical topics of nutritional importance, including climate-smart nutrition, aflatoxins-free foods, nutrition assessment, micronutrient deficiencies, and pandemic-proof innovations.

As competition for research funding and social entrepreneurship investments increases, we will continue to offer young scientists the opportunities to articulate their ideas effectively and persuasively and get the funding they need.

In 2022, we initiated the Entrepreneurship Training Program and by 2025, we are hoping to train at least 3,000 young entrepreneurs on how to build robust, scalable local businesses to fix gaps in food systems. The first year’s course is in partnership with Harvard University and led by top Harvard Business School professors.