Frequently Asked Questions for the Corn Value Chain Challenge
The following are some of the most common questions we receive from applicants and potential applicants of our Challenges. If you have any other questions, please direct them to: Damaris Mozo at dmozo@radicle.vc.
I’ve applied for a previous Radicle Challenge and didn’t win, am I eligible to apply again?
Yes, we welcome you to apply again. Anyone who has not previously won a Radicle Challenge is eligible to re-apply as long as your technology and business are a fit for the Challenge.
What types of technologies are you looking for?
Yes, we welcome you to apply again. Anyone who has not previously won a Radicle Challenge is eligible to re-apply as long as your technology and business are a fit for the Challenge.
We are looking worldwide for AgTech, Chemical, or Material Start-ups and Growth Companies whose innovative technologies and business models create new uses for corn and long-term sustainable demand for corn production.
New uses: Companies are expected to be developing new uses of corn that result in replacements for fossil fuel-derived materials with sustainable, crop-derived bio-materials. Companies developing novel sustainable biomaterials and sustainably sourced processes for existing materials should apply. This would include where the company has developed methods that already are being applied to corn or which could be applied to corn as feedstock (precision fermentation, etc.). Examples of relevant materials include sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), drop-in chemicals and plastics, compostable materials, industrial/building materials, alternative-protein expressing corn, and as yet unidentified products and product categories that could be new areas for corn-derived products to be used.
Sustainable demand: Companies are expected to be addressing major challenges to the sustainable production of corn, recognizing that an improved Life Cycle Analysis of corn’s GHG and other environmental attributes will improve the demand for any new use of corn in a competitive landscape for feedstock choices. Major opportunities include improved nitrogen management via improved use of fertilizers, replacement of synthetic N fertilizer with biological N fertilizers, or application of nitrogen fixing microbes, improved carbon sequestration and soil health, reduced demand for farm use of petrochemical or fuel inputs, and application of digital/remote sensing technologies to precisely monitor crop status, health, and fertilizer needs.
What are the requirements to apply?
Companies of any size, anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.
There must be an investment to date either in cash or in-kind in the applicant’s company or technology to be eligible for funding through this Challenge. Note this can be an in-kind contribution.
I am a student. Can I apply?
Yes. Student innovators are eligible to apply for a Radicle Challenge but investments are made in formed companies, so the innovation would need to have already resulted in a formed company for an investment to be made.
I’ve already submitted my application and our business has hit a new milestone, received an industry accolade, launched a new product, etc., can I update my application to include this?
Once an application is submitted, it cannot be updated or modified. However, we would like to hear from you if there are any important updates regarding your business, so please email us at info@radicle.vc.
Some of the information in my application is confidential, can I ensure that all of the information I submit will remain confidential?
Everything that is contained in your application will only be seen and reviewed by the committee performing due diligence to select the finalists, and the judges deliberating on the winners (if you become a finalist). All information contained in the application is considered confidential, however, we urge you to only submit information that you feel is appropriate to evaluate your application.
What are the terms of the investment?
Terms of our investments are negotiated with finalists ahead of the Pitch Day competition and will be normal and customary terms and conditions for a venture investment.
When will finalists be notified? Will companies who are not chosen as finalists be notified as well?
After the applications close we will perform several months of due diligence work on the applications that come in from around the world. We will reach out for more information from companies that are on our shortlist of top applicants as soon as we are able. More information will be provided regarding finalists announcements and the actual date of the Pitch Day event.
Does my application need to be in English?
Yes, at this time we are only able to assess applications in English. Should you be short-listed or selected as a finalist, all presentations must also be made in English.
Do I need to travel to the Pitch Day event?
We ask that all finalists present to a panel of judges in-person. However, should any travel restrictions be mandated due to COVID-19, we will act in the best interest of everyone.
