LPEA Insights

Humanitarian Innovation Pitch Event and Showcase

As extreme weather events, conflict, and displacement intensify, humanitarian needs are growing rapidly. Tackling these complex challenges calls for a shift away from traditional humanitarian approaches toward more adaptive, sustainable and technology-driven solutions, with a potential to improve emergency response and transform the lives of vulnerable communities around the world. 

An initiative by the WFP Innovation Accelerator, powered by the Government of Luxembourg, the Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator platform supports and scales breakthrough high-tech solutions focusing on information access, financial inclusion, essential Infrastructure and data-driven humanitarian response. 

Humanitarian Innovation Pitch Event and Showcase

Agenda

· 16:00 - 16:15: Introduction speeches by Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs; Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of the UN World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator; and Jagan Chapagain, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

 · 16:15 - 16:40: Programme presentation and live pitches by:
  • Tarjimly: AI-powered app connecting refugees/aid workers with translators.  
  • Wayru: blockchain-based WiFi for underserved and remote communities.
  • Aavance: mobile-first digital wallet built for unbanked populations in LatAm
  • Exuus: AI-powered credit scoring tool for unbanked communities & refugees. 
· 16:40 - 17:00: AI for Humanitarian Action: panel discussion on the AI Strategic Partnership for Humanitarian Action, including Stacy Rodrigues (Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Lucien Hoffmann (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology) and Alberto Di Meglio (CERN), moderated by Jorge Fernandes (UN WFP Innovation Accelerator).

· 17:00 - 17:30: Live pitches by:
  • CLARA Water: solar-powered smart device providing safe drinking water. 
  • CRISTA: digital platform strengthening disaster response integrating real-time community data and vulnerability maps. 
  • Kobo AI Toolbox to simplify and accelerate humanitarian data collection. 
  • SafePro: Drone-powered AI software to speed up humanitarian demining. 
AI for Humanitarian Action: discover real-world AI use cases presented by the AI Strategic Partnership for Humanitarian Action and Luxembourg's leadership at the core of humanitarian and technological innovation. 

· 17:30 - 19:00: Venture Marketplace and Networking: engage with a dynamic mix of humanitarian and innovation ecosystem players across the globe, while exploring the Venture Marketplace, where attendees explore innovations first-hand and connect directly with the ventures driving impact on the ground.

Pitching Startups

Venue and travel

📍 Where

LUXEXPO THE BOX – Hall 8 Rue Carlo Hemmer 
L-1734 Luxembourg-Kirchberg

🗓️ When

22 October, 16:00 - 19:00