HI

Judging criteria

Used by the judging panel to select innovation teams at each phase of the Challenge

The judging panel will use specific judging criteria which will generally remain consistent throughout each assessment period in the Challenge. The judging criteria below will be used to select the final winners. However, judging during Assessment 1, Assessment 2 and Assessment 3 will be based on progress towards meeting, or demonstrated potential to meet, these criteria by the end of the Challenge.

Please note that the primary objective of the judging criteria is to assess the technological system developed, not solely the berries produced by this system.

Click on a tile below to see each criteria

1. Impact

This criterion tests whether the solution is capable of delivering the impact set out in the Challenge statement.

By the end of the Challenge, successful teams must demonstrate:

1.1 Production out of season

The system is capable of producing the crop at farm scale outside of the normal growing season for the chosen crop and geography within Canada.

1.2 Solution is relevant across Canada

The system is relevant across a range of geographies in Canada.

1.3 Impact of solution on Canada and Canadians is not – or will not be – unduly restricted

There are no exclusivity arrangements that could limit Canadians’ access to the ultimate food product.

2. Technological achievement

This criterion tests the solution’s technological achievement.

By the end of the Challenge, successful teams must demonstrate:

2.1 Adaptability of technology

All or part of the technology or system are adaptable to other crops.

2.2 Execution of technology

Proof that the proposed technology functions reliably and has reached Technology Readiness Level 8 or higher.

2.3 Technological innovation

The technology does something substantially different from or better than existing technology available on the global market.

Team capability

This criterion tests whether the solution is developed by a team with the required abilities.

By the end of the Challenge, successful teams must demonstrate:

3.1 Team capability

The team has the relevant skills and experience to bring their solution to market and scale.

4. Large-scale implementation

This criterion tests whether the solution is likely to thrive in the market.

By the end of the Challenge, successful teams must demonstrate:

4.1 Commercial model

Financial projections credibly indicating long-term market viability at scale.

4.2 Market readiness

The solution is market-ready: immediately following the Challenge it is ready to be widely sold, licensed, franchised or otherwise adopted.

4.3 Grower acceptability

The technology has been developed in consultation with growers and has been demonstrated to be attractive to them (including ease of use and adoption).

4.4 Food retailer acceptability

There is evidence of interest by retailers, food service or wholesalers in buying the berries produced by the system.

4.5 Consumer acceptability

The taste, quality of fruit and the growing approach is acceptable to Canadian consumers.

5. Environmental sustainability

This criterion tests the solution’s environmental impact.

By the end of the Challenge, successful teams must demonstrate:

5.1 Environmental impact

System does not impact the environment in an adverse manner, and/or provides environmental benefits.

The weighting of the judging criteria will shift throughout the Challenge and is shown in the table below: