Mercy Corps Ventures has launched a call for proposals focused on startups deploying innovative AI-based solutions for climate resilience in emerging markets.
This is the second call for proposals from its Climate Venture Lab, following the Climate Tech Facility launched in November 2023, which received 412 proposals from over 50 countries. Dubbed Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Resilience, the initiative is committing up to $1,000,000 to test solutions increasing the resilience of climate vulnerable people in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Mercy Corps Ventures is investing in the next frontier of climate resilience solutions for those most vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate.
“We believe advanced climate analytics and AI can be leveraged to improve weather forecasting, early warning systems, flood and wildfire prediction, and farming advice for better climate adaptation. In addition, AI’s capabilities in measuring, predicting and optimizing complex systems hold tremendous potential for strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating the development of sustainable and scalable solutions for those most in need.
Mercy Corps will select applications that intersect AI with the following themes:
Adaptive Agriculture: How can we feed the world without harming the environment? Can AI improve soil diagnostics, help scale regenerative agriculture, or make supply chains more efficient and less wasteful? We seek AI-based solutions that help smallholder farmers in emerging countries improve yields, protect the environment, transition to sustainable practices, and reduce waste, among others.
- Inclusive Fintech. How can we facilitate financing for climate resilience? What role can AI play in increasing access to finance for smallholder farmers? We seek innovative financial solutions in the food and agriculture space that can unlock finance for climate resilience.
- Climate smart technologies: How can AI help address other challenges related to strengthening climate resilience? For example, how can we protect forests, land, oceans and glaciers? How might AI enhance the use of renewable energy for productive use? We welcome ideas that leverage AI to strengthen the climate resilience of smallholder farmers, indigenous communities, and low-income communities.
Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) will select pilots based on the following criteria:
- Impact. Who is the pilot serving and what impact will be achieved? We expect proposals to include actionable plans to demonstrate impact on MCV’s target populations, including smallholder farmers, refugees and migrants, underserved women, marginalized communities, and those living in climate-vulnerable contexts.
- Innovation. How transformative is the solution? How likely is this product / service to scale / replicate broadly? Is it first-of-a-kind?
- Traction & team. How likely is this team to execute as designed? Does the team have the capacity to successfully deliver the pilot? This can be evidenced through current track record, team credentials, technological maturity of the product / service, etc.
- Geographic scope. Will the pilot be implemented in one or more MCV’s target regions: Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Latin America?
- Scalability. For for-profit solutions, how do the economics work? For for-profit and nonprofit solutions, who will carry the work forward if the pilot succeeds?
The selected pilot partners will receive equity-free grants of up to $100,000 each. Alongside capital, MCV will also provide mentorship, impact measurement advisory, access to partnership opportunities, knowledge exchange, and brand exposure.
Apply Now
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline for submission Jul 21, 2024. To apply, fill in this form.