The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Hyun-soo Kim, hereinafter MAFRA) selected 10 winning teams at the finals (on 25th to 26th) of the '2020 Agri-food Start-up Contest'.

❍ In this contest, 494 teams comprised of start-ups in various fields such as green biotechnology and smart farm, and fiercely contended with a high competition rate of 49:1.

❍ Through the preliminary selection and the main selection, 20 teams advanced to the finals, and the winners were finalized at the finals on 25th (marketing type) and 26th (investment type).

* (Final Selection Method) Evaluation scores for professional presentation (marketing type, investment type) + Scores from conversion of simulated investment money of VC (only for investment types)

In the investment type*, 'Nutri' was selected as the Grand Prize (KRW 50 million, Presidential Award) for developing a system that recycles food waste into resources by using microbials and insects.

* Evaluated the investment possibility of the technology, and winners were selected by combining the five judges' evaluation scores (for technological innovation, business capacity, etc.) and the simulated investment (IR) results

❍ Nutri ① mixed food waste with microbials to make insect feed, and ② researched and developed the bio conversion technology* that can produce chicken feed and fertilizer from insects and insect fecal soil, respectively

* (Related Patent) Drosophila insect and fecal soil production system (registered), Ptecticus tenebrifer feed compound and breeding method and oil extraction method thereof (applied)

- Explained that the technology will not only generate economic benefits, but also solve social problems such as environmental pollution

❍ NT won the First Prize (KRW 20 million, MAFRA Award), and BTN, Permit Garden and Join & Join won the Excellence Prize (KRW 10 million, FACT Award) in the investment type.

* (NT) Namul processing & regularly shipping service, (BTN) Oral animal medicine that promotes the formation of FMD antibodies, (Permit Garden) Indoor strawberry farm solution, (Join & Join) Low-sugar, high-protein butter and desserts for patients and seniors

'Kongdeshu' won the Grand Prize (KRW 50 million, Prime Minister Award) in the marketing type* for manufacturing and selling soybean chips with patented technology.

* Evaluated mainly the selling ability of the product (product completeness, marketability, etc.) and winner was selected by the evaluation of five judges

❍ Through efforts such as registering patent for manufacturing method*, designing their own logo and character and developing package design, Kongdeshu reinterpreted deep-fried soybean that had been served as a side dish into soybean chips to meet palate of the young generation.

* 'Glutinous rice soybean manufacturing method' with coating technology that prevents the seasoning from rubbing on hands

❍ Do It Now won the First Prize (KRW 20 million, MAFRA Award), and Hanokenoi, Buginawa and Resurrection of Wormwood won the Excellence Award (KRW 10 million, FACT Award).

* (Do It Now) Smart bird repellent using ultrasound and sunlight, (Hanokenoi) Pocket-type laver snack for convenience store market, (Buginawa) Liquid adzuki bean tea using patented manufacturing method for maximizing flavor and antioxidant properties, (Resurrection of Wormwood) Liquid wormwood for the treatment (patented) of endometriosis

In addition to the prize money and title, the winning teams can receive funding for business implementation, joint product planning and launching in large distribution stores through government projects and sponsorship of large conglomerates.

❍ For details about products, technologies and marketing strategies of 10 winning teams, refer to the MAFRA YouTube video.