Protein Industries
Join the Protein Industries Challenge and build bold solutions in plant-based proteins, sustainability, and agri-tech. This is your plate—serve up something revolutionary.
Open to Young People, group ages 13-17 and 18- 29
What is the Protein Industries Challenge?
his challenge invites you to rethink the food systems of tomorrow. Whether it’s developing better plant proteins, improving sustainability in food production, or making farming tech-savvy and eco-conscious—your ideas can change what’s on our plates and how it gets there.
Hosted across Canada and powered by Protein Industries Canada, this challenge empowers young minds to innovate what we grow, how we process it, and how we nourish the world.
Why This Challenge is Important for Canada?
Canada is a world leader in plant-based food innovation and agriculture. With global demand for sustainable protein on the rise, we need bold thinkers to step up and develop solutions that are healthy, scalable, and environmentally responsible.
Through this challenge, Canadian young people can contribute to global food security while building next-gen agri-food technologies.
What’s In It For You?
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Food Sustainability & AgTech Skills
- Pitching & Presentation
- Certificate of Participation
- Cash Prizes & Awards
- Mentorship from Agri-Food Experts
- Community Recognition
Whether you win or not, you’ll walk away with skills that matter, connections that help, and confidence that lasts.
Why is NFTEC Organizing This Challenge?
NFTEC aims to inspire young innovators across Canada to solve pressing global challenges. With this food challenge, we’re supporting youth-led solutions to feeding a growing population sustainably and profitably.
What You’ll Learn by Competing
Design and pitch food-tech or agri-food innovations
Understand supply chain and sustainability in food
Apply entrepreneurial skills to real-world food issues
Present, communicate, and collaborate effectively
Timelines
Steps to Participate
Brainstorm Your Idea
Think about how ocean health can be improved with tech or innovation.Select Your Challenge
Choose BlueTech Builders – Innovations for a Healthy Ocean.Create a Pitch Deck (PPT or PDF)
Showcase your idea, the problem, the solution, and its impact.Record a 2–3 Min Pitch Video
Upload to YouTube as unlisted and save the link.Fill Out the Registration Form
Include all your info and upload files/links.Submit Before Deadline
Late entries won’t be accepted, so don’t wait!
Unlisted Video on Youtube?
If you havent uploaded an unlisted video to youtube, Do go through this video to help you out. An unlisted video makes it easier for you to showcase your content and at the same time it stays private to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQs section provides quick and clear answers to common questions about the challenge, making it easy for you to find the information you need. Designed to enhance your experience, this section saves you time and helps you understand the challenge.
Open to Canadian young people aged 13–30 with an interest in sustainable agriculture and food innovation.
Developing creative solutions to improve food security, plant-based proteins, agriculture tech, and food sustainability.
No! This is open to all youth who want to explore innovative ideas and contribute to solving real food challenges.
Yes, you may participate as an individual or collaborate with a team of up to 3 members.
A clear explanation of the food/agriculture problem, your proposed solution, and how it could be implemented.
Judges will look at creativity, feasibility, real-world application, community impact, and presentation.
Hands-on innovation experience, networking, mentorship, certificates, and cash awards for top solutions.
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples. We recognize and deeply respect the historic connection of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to this land. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to this land and to Canada.