A short handbook for ReThink Food Challenge written by Deniz Başar, Tuana Aksu.

This season, KUASAR builds a team of curious students to tackle space nutrition challenges, and ReThink the food industry from scratch. In this international student competition we will develop a business idea that offers an innovative, circular and sustainable approach to growing food on Earth by learning from research on space farming. Participants can explore ways to improve existing technologies, develop new ones, or rethink how we define ‘food’.

About the Challenge

Innovating for Earth by learning from research on space farming

Wageningen University & Research invites students from all over the world to submit ground-breaking business ideas for improving the sustainability and resource efficiency of current food production. Join the Challenge to create a positive impact and get a taste of what it means to be an entrepreneur. Grow professionally and make friends for life.

How?

Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants will focus on one of two key areas within (space) farming: either indoor farming techniques or alternative protein sources. The goal is to identify a real-world issue and target market, then design a solution that is practical and addresses a genuine need. Teams will also have the opportunity to collaborate closely with industry experts throughout the challenge.

Below, you can watch the introductory video of the challenge.

Rounds

Round 1: Ideation (14.01.2025–17.02.2025)

In this round, we will work on defining our vision, problem statement, and solution. Also we will prepare a validation plan.

Round 2: Validation (17.02.2025–22.04.2025)

In round two, we will focus on developing the idea and validating our assumptions.

Round 3: Grand Finals (22.04.2025–27.05.2025)

In this final round, we will finalise the project and present it to the jury in Wageningen on 27 May 2025.

Timeline

18.11.2024: Registration deadline

10.12.2024: Ideation workshop

09.01.2025: Completing team profile deadline

14.01.2025: Kick-off Event (both online and on site)

17.02.2025: First Milestone deadline

13.03.2025: Validation workshop

22.04.2025: Second Milestone deadline

13.05.2025: Third Milestone deadline

27.05.2025: Grand Finale

Deliverables

Milestone 1: Report (A4 Pages*8)

Milestone 2: Report (A4 Pages*12) + Social media pitch and artist impression + Individual self-assessment

Milestone 3: Video pitch + Poster + Q&A

How to Join?

If you want to participate in this challenge with us and think that you can contribute to the team with relevant skills, you can complete the form below to show interest! After a comprehensive introduction of the challenge, we’ll collect team specific applications.

Form Link: https://forms.gle/FCQLAtBxyVM8ebqQ8