UBC Food Innovation Challenge: powered by BC Hydro

Open to all UBC undergraduate and graduate students, this challenge is hosted by the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. The challenge promotes innovative solutions in sustainable food processing through interdisciplinary teamwork, industry mentorship, and prototype development. 

BC Hydro has generously contributed $30,000 annually for this competition. Each shortlisted team will receive up to $3,000 for prototype development, while the winning team will be awarded up to $15,000 in funding to advance their idea, focusing on feasibility, sustainability impact, and commercialization potential.

The competition will be on the following topic(s) within Sustainable Food Processing*.

Waste Reduction and Food Loss: Innovations to minimize food waste in processing or storage.
Energy Efficiency: Solutions to improve energy consumption during food processing.
Sustainable Packaging: Eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging innovations.
Water Use and Management: Technologies that minimize water use or recycle wastewater in food processing.
Local Food Systems: Solutions to improve efficiency and sustainability of local food production and processing.
Sustainable Food Ingredients: Identify sustainable food ingredient sources and their applications.

*This competition is not limited to the topics listed above. If you have any innovative technologies, products, or ideas that align with the theme of Sustainable Food Processing, you are welcome to submit your application. 

Registration (Deadline to register is April 4, 2025): Teams comprising 2-4 students (undergraduate or graduate) will register by submitting team details and a concept proposal (see Phase 1) of their proposed focus area. We encourage interdisciplinary teams of students (e.g., engineering, food science and nutrition, business, environmental studies) from UBC to promote diverse perspectives on solving complex food processing challenges.

Phase 1: Concept Proposal (Deadline to submit a proposal and register is April 4, 2025): Teams submit a 2-page (8½” x 11″, single-spaced, 12 pt.) concept proposal that includes:

Problem Statement: Define the specific challenge or opportunity your project will address within sustainable food processing.
Proposed Solution: Explain your innovative approach to addressing the identified issue.
Impact: Discuss the potential environmental, economic, and social benefits of your solution.
Feasibility: Outline the practicality and technical viability of implementing your idea.
Budget Breakdown: An outline of how the $3,000 in prototype development funds will be allocated, should the team be shortlisted for Phase 2.

Top Teams Selected: A selection of top teams will be shortlisted to advance to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Prototype Development & Industry Collaboration (April to September): Shortlisted teams will receive up to $3,000 to develop prototypes and refine their solutions. Each team will be paired with an industry mentor (or Innovation UBC if no mentor is available) to guide them in refining the prototype. Teams will also submit a 3-page (maximum) detailed report that includes (Due by September 5):

A description of the prototype or technical model.
A strategy for utilizing the $15,000 funding for further research and development.
An implementation plan and timeline.
Technical feasibility and challenges.
A roadmap for scaling the prototype from concept to commercialization.

Phase 3: Presentation to Judges (September 2025): Teams will present their project to a panel of judges (faculty/ industry experts). Presentations should cover the problem, solution, prototype, expected impact, and potential commercialization. 

Final Evaluation: The judging panel will evaluate the final projects based on innovation and creativity, technical and commercial feasibility, impact on sustainability in the food industry, and effective use of research and development funds. 

Awards: The top team will receive up to $15,000 in research funds to continue their research and development in collaboration with industry partners, with the potential for commercialization or implementation in the food processing industry.

Enter the Contest

Questions about the contest may be directed to Abul Hossain at abul.hossain@ubc.ca.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from equity-deserving groups.