What an incredible journey this has been! Over the past weeks, young changemakers from all over the world came together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: building a more sustainable food system. With boundless creativity and determination, they developed 80 groundbreaking projects, each with the potential to transform the way we grow, produce, and consume food.
The energy and innovation shown throughout the challenge were nothing short of inspiring. Our mentors were amazed by the participants’ bold ideas, teamwork, and dedication. Whether or not you made it to the finals, every single one of you has contributed to a brighter future. Together, we’ve taken a meaningful step toward reimagining the global food system. Check out all 80 incredible ideas on food innovation here.
Now, it’s time to spotlight the team that took home the grand prize. Drumroll, please…
And the winners are …
A huge congratulations to team Valyncia! This powerhouse trio from Indonesia—Vanessa Kosasih, Vinnycia Canitha Kosasih, and Jesselyn Kosasih—blew us away with their innovative approach to solving key food system challenges.
The Problem They’re Solving
Team Valyncia tackled two critical issues:
- The environmental impact of traditional protein – The production of meat and other animal-based protein sources contributes significantly to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution.
- The health risks of excessive sugar – Overconsumption of sugar is a leading contributor to the global obesity epidemic and associated health issues like diabetes and heart disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight, with sugar playing a major role.
Their Solution in Food Innovation
Valyncia created a revolutionary sweet-tasting protein that serves as a healthy alternative to sugar. Their solution not only satisfies sweet cravings but also provides essential protein, making it a game-changer for nutrition. Moreover, their production process is low-impact and sustainable, ensuring that this innovation supports both personal and planetary health.
Want to see their brilliant idea in action? Watch their pitch video here:
This summer, Vanessa, Vinnycia, and Jesselyn will join the Moonshot Pirates team on an unforgettable trip to Silicon Valley. They’ll visit global giants like Meta, Pinterest, Google, and Apple, as well as the prestigious Stanford University campus.
A Special Thank You to Our Partners
A heartfelt thank-you to our partners—Givaudan, Oatly, Liechtenstein Group, 4Voices, Conference on Wheels, and Tata&Friends—for making this challenge possible. Your support empowers young innovators to drive meaningful change.
Why This Matters
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, from climate change to food insecurity and rising health crises. To solve these issues, we need fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and innovative solutions. That’s where young changemakers come in.
With their unfiltered creativity, determination, and willingness to question the status quo, young people bring a unique energy to tackling global problems. Initiatives like the Shape the Future of Food Challenge empower them to channel this energy into actionable solutions, showing that even the biggest challenges can be overcome with collaboration and imagination.
By investing in the next generation of innovators, we’re not just solving today’s problems—we’re building a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for everyone. 🌍
So, to all our young pirates: Keep dreaming, keep innovating, and keep shaping the future. The world needs your brilliance.
