A startup company is typically defined as a newly formed business or project created by one or more entrepreneurs with the goal of developing and validating a scalable business opportunity and model. The definition of a startup for IFA is wider than the traditional classifications, to reflect the heightened challenges of capital intensity, scale, and regulatory requirements of operating in the Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition ecosystem.

Startup companies are generally characterized by the following features:

• Innovation and Market Gap: A startup is addressing a specific market gap by offering an innovative product or service, often leveraging new technologies or unique processes.
• Scalability and Growth Ambition: A startup is designed with the intention to grow rapidly and scale its operations.
• High Risk and Uncertainty: Startups operate in environments of significant uncertainty, facing high risks and a high rate of failure.
• Funding and Investment: Startups often require substantial external funding to develop their product or service and achieve growth.
• Temporary Status: The term “startup” is generally a temporary designation, lasting until the company matures, achieves stable profitability, or is acquired or goes public.

To be eligible to participate in IFA startup activities, including listing on the Online Innovation Platform, accessing conference discounts, and participating in challenges and awards, all five criteria below should be met.

1. Maturity of business
   1. Has generated revenues from sale of products or services for less than 10 years (or made a significant business transformation / pivot within the past 5 years), and
   2. Has annual revenues of less than USD$10m

2. Ownership and control
   1. Is independently owned and operated, OR
   2. For existing IFA members only, a startup can be a wholly-owned subsidiary or a partially-owned subsidiary of the existing IFA member, provided that such a startup operates as an independent business (investment/funding from the parent company acceptable).
      The business should be focused on developing an innovative, scalable business model, especially if it is newly formed and has not yet achieved significant market traction or profitability, OR
   3. For subsidiaries of non-IFA members,start-up status and membership eligibility is allowed only when a separate leadership team exists from the parent company, and the parent company’s primary activity is not related to fertilizer and plant nutrition.

3. Team size
   1. Business should have less than 100 employees (for a series B business)
   2. Series C are eligible for a profile listing on the IFA online innovation platform, with a maximum 250 employees

4. Innovation
   1. Business is developing or commercializing a novel product, service, technology, or business model, with scalable market opportunities

5. Funding and structure
   1. Is Pre-seed, Seed, Series A or Series B, and is not listed on a public exchange
   2. Series C are eligible for a profile listing on the IFA online innovation platform only