Seeking innovative technologies to convert agricultural waste into products of value

Challenge Context

During the winter season, production of crops in Qatar increases significantly. Approximately 100,000 tons of crops is harvested and sold to the market. Mahaseel, Hassad's full-owned subsidiary overseeing local agriculture production, estimates that more than 2,500 tons of agricultural production (fresh weigh including water) is unusable. Several trials have been done to generate value from the unusable foodstuffs, including conversion to compost or animal feed or processing tomatoes into tomato paste. However no economically viable solution is currently being implemented.

Hassad Food are interested in technology solutions (TRL: 3-8) which can process the foodstuffs into valuable products in the following scenarios:

1. Small scale production within farms (for damaged food crops)

2. Medium scale production for several farms combined

3. Large scale production in centralized facilities

Considered Qatar’s investment arm in the food and agribusiness sectors, Hassad Food has strategic commercial investments in Australia, Canada, Turkey, Oman, and others. In Qatar, it owns multiple subsidiaries that directly manage the company’s key investments. Hassad also plays an important role in crisis management, as well as research and development, with the aim of supporting the country achieve food security.

Evaluation CRITERIA

Hassad Food is looking for technical proposals that meet the listed criteria. The goal is to develop a proof of concept for Hassad in Qatar. The innovative solution should process the foodstuffs into valuable products in the following scenarios:

Small scale production within farms (for damaged food crops)

Medium scale production for several farms combined

Large scale production in centralized facilities

1. Technology Readiness Level

We are accepting proposals between TRL 3 – 8

2. Potential ready to market products

Some of the technologies and process could lead to the production of the below type of products:

• bio-energy based products​
• Ingredients
• Additives for chemicals
• Animal Feedstock
• ​​Other approaches will also be considered.

3. Desired Business Relationship

• Hassad Food will facilitate piloting of winning solution in Qatar
• Business agreements to be discussed at a later stage

4. Discarded Solutions

• Solutions that are not able to withstand Qatar's weather conditions.
• ​Solutions that are not environmentally friendly.

OFFICIAL RULES

Awards and Cooperation Opportunity

This challenge is part of QRDI’s Qatar Open Innovation program. Qatar Open Innovation has up to one million US Dollars ($1,000,000) to invest in the selected participant proposal across its open challenges to scale-up, jointly develop, acquire or license the proposed solutions. QRDI and Hassad Food together with the selected participant will discuss on a one to one basis the funds required to develop the selected pilot in Qatar.

Cooperation and funding opportunity:

• Part of Qatar Open Innovation program with overall budget of USD 1,000,000
• Potential for piloting/testing in Qatar facilitated by Hassad Food

Financials / Commercial terms

All financial and contractual terms to be negotiated between Solution Provider(s), QRDI and Hassad Food.

Intellectual Property Management

IP rights will be discussed and agreed on during the evaluation phase and after shortlisting of proposals

Program Period

This Open Innovation challenge will start on February 03, 2022 and end by April 14, 2022. All proposal submissions must be completed by April14, 2022.

Timeline for proposal submission and evaluation

The evaluation process will take place as of April 2022 and continue until June 2022.

QRDI and Hassad Food have sole discretion to select proposals and declare winners.

Important: QRDI and Hassad Food will work with selected applicants to assess the solution proposal’s business case during the evaluation phase. Solution proposal should be economically feasible and will be evaluated from both a technical and economic perspective.

After review, selected candidates will be invited to a virtual meeting with QRDI and Hassad Food in-house experts to refine their written proposals.

QRDI may alter the dates at their discretion. Any changes will be communicated to participants.

All participants must acknowledge and consent that QRDI and Hassad Food can use their personal submitted data for event publicity and marketing purposes.

Timeline for cooperation opportunity development

The cooperation project will develop in two phases:

Phase 1 – Proof of concept / Pilot implementation / Adaptation (2022-2023)

Phase 2 – Collaboration agreement for full scale installations (within 2 years)

Eligibility

• The Open Innovation challenge is open to start-ups, SMEs, and Corporates. Organizations can submit more than one proposal.
• All participants must provide valid contact information
• This challenge is not open to employees of QRDI and Hassad Food and members of their families
• Participation in the open innovation challenge is free of charge
• Before submitting a proposal, you will be asked to indicate that you have read the Official Rules and that you agree with them
• QRDI and Hassad Food may at its sole discretion, remove or disqualify any submission and participant it deems inappropriate or non-compliant

Submission Requirements

To get access to the details that are to be submitted please press on Submit a proposal and fill in all the required information. Incomplete proposals may be subject to disqualification.

Applicable law

This Open Innovation Challenge Official Rules and thus your participation in the QRDI and Hassad Food joint Open Innovation Challenge shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Qatar and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts and Tribunals of Qatar.