Bridging the Cold Chain Gap Challenge 2026

About

A challenge aimed at identifying and piloting innovative solutions to enhance cold chain logistics for fruit and vegetable vendors in India, providing significant grant funding and collaboration opportunities to reduce food loss and improve vendor incomes.

Benefits

• 💰Grant Funding
  Up to USD 450,000 per pilot project with a 10% co-financing requirement.
• 🌐Market Validation
  Opportunity to test and validate your solution in a new market context.
• 🤝Collaboration
  Work alongside ADB and connect with key local and international stakeholders.
• 📈Visibility
  Gain exposure among key players in the field, including governments and financiers across Asia and the Pacific.
• 🌍Impact Creation
  Opportunity to create real and tangible impact in reducing food loss and supporting vendors.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to teams of 1-10 people
• Must propose innovative solutions for cold chain logistics
• Solutions should target last-mile fruit and vegetable vendors in India
• Must be able to implement a pilot project
• 10% co-financing required for grant funding

Participation Commitments

• Must submit a concept note by September 4, 2026
• Full application and pitch required between September 21 and October 30, 2026
• Selected proposals will begin pilot implementation in January 2027
• 10% co-financing of the grant funding is required.

Target Region

Focused on India, targeting last-mile vendors in the food supply chain

Target Sector

Agricultural technology and food supply chain innovation