The Pears Challenge is a fellowship program for outstanding innovators and entrepreneurs who wish to establish ventures with the power to make a real difference in the lives of people in the developing world. The Pears Challenge connects a select cohort of experienced professionals with challenges and opportunities on the ground and give them the knowledge, connections and resources to launch successful businesses. The 2015 Pears Challenge is focussing on improving food security in East Africa through supporting smallholder farmer value chains.