LDC Impact Prize 2026
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Quick Answer
Non-dilutive CHF 100,000 (about ₹1.15 crore) prize from Louis Dreyfus Company for late-stage startups fixing food and agricultural supply chains, shared by two winners. 2026 round closed.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Louis Dreyfus Company. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The 2026 LDC Impact Prize is closed. Applications shut on 15 April 2026, and the two winners were to be announced on stage at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards in Lausanne, Switzerland on 29 October 2026. The official page describes only the 2026 edition and announces no next round; check MassChallenge Switzerland for a future call. The final judging takes place live in Lausanne.
The LDC Impact Prize, formerly the LDC Climate Resilience Prize, is run by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), the global agricultural merchant and processor, with MassChallenge Switzerland. It is an unconditional, non-dilutive cash prize of CHF 100,000 (about ₹1.15 crore), shared by two winners. This page explains how it worked so you can prepare for a future round.
What the prize offers
The CHF 100,000 is unrestricted and takes no equity. Winners keep it on top of any cash prizes from the MassChallenge Switzerland accelerator. Selected startups also get workshops, resources and coaching to propose a proof of concept or pilot to LDC and to quantify their solution, connections with investors focused on food and agriculture value chains, direct access to LDC decision-makers, and publicity at the Lausanne awards ceremony, which over 400 people attend.
The two categories in 2026
- Climate Resilience: resource-efficient farming and water management, supply-chain traceability, turning side-streams into higher-value food, feed or materials, the biofuel value chain, financial tools for farmers such as payments and agricultural insurance, and logistics.
- The Future of Manufacturing and Industry: automated cleaning, robots for heavy or repetitive tasks, safety and environment monitoring, grading and quality control, stock measurement, and carbon capture for thermal systems.
LDC looks for proven solutions or technologies in these areas.
Who can apply
LDC set five tests. The company should be at Series B to C+ funding level; late-stage companies are encouraged, though fit with the focus areas matters most. It needs a clear fit with LDC's business lines, crops, supply chains or assets, a viable business model with commercial traction, a clear benefit for LDC such as revenue, avoided losses, yield or margin, and a concrete, feasible proof of concept with technical readiness and a path to industrial scale. Sustainability solutions must credibly quantify their impact, with help from the MassChallenge impact calculator.
The page states no geographic restriction, so an Indian startup can apply if it meets the tests. This prize suits a late-stage agritech, supply-chain or industrial-automation company with real sales and a product LDC could pilot. It does not suit early-stage startups or those without commercial traction.
How to apply
Apply online through the form on the MassChallenge Switzerland page. In 2026 there was also an information webinar on 9 April. A practical tip: prepare a one-page case showing how your product would change LDC's revenue, losses or margin, because the business benefit for LDC is a stated test.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Winners are chosen for the greatest potential impact on food and agriculture value chains and the largest scalable opportunity with LDC. Selected startups are coached to build a pilot proposal, and final judging happens at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards in Lausanne.
About Louis Dreyfus Company and MassChallenge Switzerland
LDC is a leading global merchant and processor of agricultural goods, aiming for a safe and sustainable future and supporting the effort to feed a growing population. It is a strategic partner of MassChallenge Switzerland, looking for startups that could become suppliers, customers or partners. MassChallenge Switzerland runs an accelerator and connects LDC with selected startups. The 2025 winner was IBISA, a climate insurance technology company with satellite-based parametric insurance for farmers.
Things to check before you apply
- Confirm whether the next round keeps the Series B to C+ requirement.
- Be ready to travel to Lausanne for the final.
- The prize is in Swiss francs; check FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser.
- Questions can be sent to the contact listed on the MassChallenge page.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
Two winners share a no-strings-attached, non-dilutive cash prize of CHF 100,000 (about ₹1.15 crore), in addition to any cash prizes from the MassChallenge Switzerland accelerator. Startups also get workshops, resources and coaching to propose a proof of concept or pilot to LDC, help quantifying their impact, direct connections to LDC decision-makers and investors, and publicity at the awards ceremony in Lausanne.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Winners are chosen for the greatest potential impact on food and agriculture value chains and the largest scalable opportunity with LDC. Selected startups are coached on a pilot proposal, and the two winners are named at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards in Lausanne.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Submit your application on the MassChallenge platform.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LDC Impact Prize open now?
No. Applications for 2026 closed on 15 April 2026. The official page describes only the 2026 edition and gives no next round.
Can Indian startups apply for the LDC Impact Prize?
The page states no geographic restriction, so an Indian startup can apply if it meets the tests, including a strong fit with LDC's crops, supply chains or assets.
How much is the prize?
CHF 100,000 (about ₹1.15 crore), shared by two winners. It is unconditional and non-dilutive.
What funding level must my startup be at?
LDC set Series B to C+ and encourages late-stage startups and scaleups, though fit with the focus areas matters most.
What are the categories?
Climate Resilience, and The Future of Manufacturing and Industry.
Do I have to travel?
The two winners were to be announced on stage at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards in Lausanne, so the final is live and in person. The page does not say whether travel costs are covered.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is an unconditional, non-dilutive cash prize, so no equity is taken.
What do selected startups get besides cash?
Coaching to propose a pilot to LDC, help quantifying impact, investor connections, access to LDC decision-makers and publicity at the awards ceremony.
Is there an application fee?
The page does not state a fee.
When were winners announced?
On 29 October 2026, on stage at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards in Lausanne.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
