Twelve finalist teams selected from 667 entries across 79 countries moved from technology showcase and field learning into pitches, networking and awards.

The FoodTech Challenge, launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is a joint initiative of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen. Its 2023 edition brought 12 finalist teams to ADNEC during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.


Those teams had been selected from 667 submissions across 79 countries. The event therefore needed to do more than display their ideas: it had to give finalists a complete progression through learning, peer connection, public presentation and recognition.


Evolution designed and managed the experience as a finalist journey, connecting a custom innovation showcase with field visits, hospitality, elevator pitches and a high-profile grand finale.

The Challenge


The finalists represented different technologies, markets and stages of development. The exhibition needed to give each innovation enough clarity while maintaining a shared identity for the challenge as a global platform.


The live programme also extended beyond ADNEC. Farm visits, lunches and dinners needed to contribute to the same experience as the formal pitches and awards, requiring consistent coordination across learning, networking and competition.

Evolution Scenic FoodTech Challenge reception desk with branded backdrop and delegate check-in staff

The Solution


Evolution designed and built a custom exhibition stand that gave the twelve teams a professional setting in which to present their food-technology solutions. The environment created a common visual framework while keeping individual innovations visible and accessible to visitors.


Field trips to Al Foah Farm connected the programme to local agricultural practice, giving participants a practical reference point beyond the exhibition floor. Networking lunches and dinners then created time for teams, partners and stakeholders to develop relationships outside the formal judging process.


The grand finale shifted the experience into performance and recognition. Elevator pitches gave each finalist a concentrated presentation moment, followed by an awards ceremony that brought the competitive journey to a clear conclusion.


Evolution coordinated design, logistics, hospitality, programme and full photo and video coverage, preserving the connection between the teams' arrival, development, public story and final recognition.

Delivery Highlights


  • FoodTech Challenge hosted at ADNEC during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
  • Twelve finalist teams selected from 667 submissions across 79 countries.
  • Custom exhibition stand showcasing finalist technologies.
  • Field trips to Al Foah Farm.
  • Networking lunches and dinners.
  • Grand finale featuring elevator pitches and awards.
  • Full photo and video coverage of the programme.
Image description

Outcome


The event gave the twelve finalists more than a stand and a pitch slot. They moved through a connected programme of practical learning, public presentation, relationship building and recognition, allowing the challenge to support both ideas and the people developing them.


By the grand finale, the audience understood the scale of the global search as well as the individuality of the selected solutions, giving the awards greater context and significance.

Project Ecosystem


Client:

UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen


Evolution Events: Led the finalist journey, programme, field visits, networking hospitality, pitch and awards production, media coverage, logistics and live management.


Evolution Scenic: Designed and fabricated the custom exhibition stand and finalist showcase environment.


Additional Project Support:

Evolution Furniture - Evolution Technical