Cultivating the Future
Applications open until February 20, 2026
#TechForAgrinnovation
Five Years, Five Fields of Innovation
Five editions that successfully combined the business potential of innovation with a social mission — always putting people at the heart of technological change.
This year, together with Youth Business Poland, we’re focusing on AgriTech (Agricultural Technology) — where tradition and nourishment meet modernity, and technology works hand in hand with nature. We’re looking for solutions that boost efficiency, optimize resource use, and support the creation of a modern, sustainable food chain.
AgriTech — Where Technology Meets Sustainability
Increase the efficiency of crops and livestock
Automate key processes
Optimize the use of water, energy, and fertilizers
Support farmers’ decisions through data insights
Build a modern and sustainable food supply chain
Goals of the Anniversary Edition
At Huawei Startup Challenge, we cultivate the fields where:
- Startups meet corporation
- Technology meets agriculture
- Business meets the environment
- Local ideas meet global challenges
At the heart of every idea, we place people — farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and entire communities.
300 000 PLN on the Table
It’s your move! The best projects in the 5th edition of the Huawei Startup Challenge will compete for a total prize pool of 300,000 PLN
FIRST PLACE
150 000 PLN
SECOND PLACE
100 000 PLN
THIRD PLACE
50 000 PLN
Is this competition for you? Check it out!
We invite innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology teams developing solutions that truly support the growth of agriculture and sustainable food production.
We’re looking for projects that fit the theme #TechForAgrinnovation — addressing the modern challenges of the agri-food sector through technologies such as AI, IoT, 5G, Cloud, and Digital Power.
- Precision Agriculture – data-driven systems, field robotics, and the automation of agronomic decision-making.
- Climate Resilience – technologies supporting crops and livestock resistant to extreme weather conditions, including biotechnology and resource management systems.
- Food Safety and Hygiene – intelligent systems for monitoring and eliminating contaminants or biological threats (e.g., biofilms) throughout the production chain.
- Circular Economy – valorization and reuse of by-products (e.g., whey, okara), innovative sustainable packaging technologies, and food waste reduction.
- Supply Chain and Commerce – smart delivery systems, gastronomy automation (Smart Retail), and solutions improving logistics transparency (ESG) by connecting farmers with consumers.
- Food of the Future – alternative protein sources (microorganisms, algae, cultured meat) and new, sustainable ingredients that improve the nutritional profile of food products.
We believe that true innovation improves people’s quality of life, contributes to sustainable development, and supports nature in its natural cycle.
Timeline
Challenge: Show How Technology Empowers Agriculture!
5G
Real-time data transmission from fields and sensors
Cloud & AI
Intelligent data processing and crop yield forecasting
Digital Power
Energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for agriculture
- a Mockup – an interactive prototype of their solution, or
- an Implementation Concept – a practical deployment plan for a real-world environment
Meet the Jury
Adrian Migoń
Aleksandra Szwed
prof. Marcin Gołębiewski
Monika Borowiecka
Marta Kutyna-Bakalarska
dr. Jerzy Plewa
prof. Bolesław Rok
prof. Jerzy Małachowski
Tomasz Waźbiński
Łukasz Czech
Grzegorz Maciaszek
Organizers
Huawei
Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With approximately 208,000 employees, Huawei operates in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion users worldwide.
Huawei’s mission is to bring digital technology to every person, home, and organization — to build a fully connected, intelligent world.
Youth Business Poland
Since 2008, the Foundation has been supporting the development of entrepreneurship and innovation in Poland. It helps aspiring entrepreneurs and startups turn ideas into operating businesses and create new jobs.
By collaborating with businesses, local governments, and institutions, the Foundation builds a supportive environment for innovation growth. Through its acceleration, incubation, and mentoring programs, it strengthens Poland’s innovation ecosystem and contributes to the country’s GDP growth.
Honorary Patronage
Industry Partner
Media Patrons
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the competition?
At what stage of development must the startup be to qualify?
Projects at various stages of development — from early concepts to market-ready solutions — can be submitted, as long as they align with the #TechForAgrinnovation idea and address real challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
It is important that the team has the competencies to develop the technology, as well as ownership and copyright rights to the submitted project.
What does the application and selection process look like?
The process consists of five stages:
- Seed – application submission via the online form on the website huaweistartupchallenge.pl.
- Germination – formal and substantive evaluation, selection of participants for the next stage.
- Growth / The Great Huawei Challenge – workshops and participation in the Challenge.
- Blooming – Semi Demo Day – mentoring, development, and project presentations.
- Harvest – Final Gala Demo Day – presentations before the Jury and the selection of 3 winners.
Evaluation criteria and detailed descriptions of each stage are provided in the official rules: see here (PL version only).
What prizes and benefits are available for participants?
The three best startups will receive financial awards:
🥇 1st place – 150,000 PLN
🥈 2nd place – 100,000 PLN
🥉 3rd place – 50,000 PLN
The Organizer and Partners may also grant additional prizes funded by the competition partners.
Does participation in the competition involve transferring project rights or intellectual property?
No. Neither the Organizer nor the Partners claim any rights to the intellectual property of the submitted projects.
Startups retain full copyright and proprietary rights to their solutions.
Participants grant only a limited license to use materials for promotional and communication purposes related to the competition.
Can a project that participated in other programs or competitions be submitted?
Yes – as long as the project meets the competition rules, complies with the law and regulations, and the participant holds full rights to present it.
There are no restrictions regarding prior participation in other acceleration programs or competitions.