BOGOTA, Colombia – The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) recently launched a global call for making selective coffee harvesting in Colombia more efficient.
This public and open call, called “CoffeepickINN”, is a challenge that seeks to identify innovative solution proposals coming from entrepreneurs, research groups and/or companies that make selective coffee harvesting in Colombia more efficient.
The call will have the support of Connect Bogota-Region, an expert organization in facilitating open innovation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer processes.
“What we want is to generate shared value between the proponents and the FNC through joint development of innovations that solve the problem of high labor costs in coffee harvesting in Colombia, aiming at higher profitability of producers,” said the FNC CEO, Roberto Velez.
Those submitting their proposals must be aware that, to achieve greater efficiency in coffee harvesting, they need to address, under the specific conditions of the Colombian environment, the different causes of this problem, including technological, agricultural, human, and economic factors.
Those interested in taking part will find detailed information about the challenge, the registration form, deadlines and other terms and conditions of the call, which goes from July 10 to September 29, 2017, on www.coffeepickinn.com.
As an incentive, the FNC has a pool of resources (in cash and in kind) to be invested in the development of solutions and their implementation in Colombia through profitable, scalable businesses, or through partnerships or partnership agreements.
Aimed at entrepreneurs, companies and/or researchers
The call is aimed at groups of entrepreneurs, companies and/or researchers at the national and international level with the ideas, talent and technology needed to solve the challenge through scientific or technological innovations:
- Groups of entrepreneurs: Natural and legal persons who are creating a new business or company.
- Companies: Legally constituted enterprises.
- Research groups: Master’s or PhD level at universities.
The solutions can be partially developed in other industries or be in the process of research. Therefore, this call also encourages proponents to adapt solutions to respond to the challenge proposed.