D-Prize offering $20,000 to start new social ventures
Explore and solve a challenge ©RohithRoy
“I know many new entrepreneurs struggle to find early funding, and wanted to share this opportunity:
D-Prize is seeking new social entrepreneurs who can solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Society has already created effective technologies to eradicate poverty – but those proven solutions have yet to be “distributed” to millions in need. We will award up to $20,000 to anyone who can start a social venture that solves this problem. We are especially excited to fund first-time entrepreneurs” says
Mission
D-Prize is dedicated toward expanding access to poverty-alleviation solutions in the developing world. Many solutions to poverty already exist; the challenge is distributing these solutions to the people who need it most. We tackle this by challenging social entrepreneurs to develop better ways to distribute proven life-enhancing technologies, and funding early-stage startups that deliver the best results.
Goals:
- Significantly increase access to life-enhancing technologies in the developing world – and prove an impact in a measurable way.
- Encourage young entrepreneurs to focus their talent on the developing world, pilot new solutions to distribution problems, and launch new social ventures.
- Encourage a global dialogue on the importance of leveraging distribution solutions for development. We believe the path to development is through solving distribution.
About the challenge:
The world has solutions to poverty. Can you distribute them to those in need?
Our world has already invented many effective poverty solutions, but sadly most fail to reach actual people in need. Millions of lives would improve if people had access to proven energy, education, health, and other interventions. Can you start a new social enterprise and solve this problem? D-Prize is a call to the world’s boldest entrepreneurs. Can you design a new social enterprise and solve one of the distribution challenges below? If selected, we will award you up to $20,000 to launch a pilot in Africa, India, or another other developing region. D-Prize will award 5-15 social entrepreneurs funding. If your pilot is successful, they will help you find future funding and grow to impact millions.
Thematic Areas:
- Girl’s Education
- Energy
- Education
- Governance and Infrastructure
- Global Health
- Custom/Propose your own
Challenge amount:
d-prize.org is seeking new social entrepreneurs who have a better idea to “distribute” proven poverty solutions. They will award up to $20,000 to anyone who can start.
Eligibility:
D-Prize is for anyone who can start a new social enterprise in the developing world and solve one of the D-Prize distribution problems. You must be committed, highly skilled, and ready to scale for the long term.
They will fund some existing organizations, especially if your organization wants to pilot a new distribution-focused initiative. If you are over 12 months old, have already raised more than $100,000, and are not piloting a new distribution-focused initiative, D-Prize is unlikely to offer funding.
Timeline:
FIRST ROUND: Submit a resume and two-page concept note by Dec 12 (early deadline), Dec 30 (regular deadline), or Jan 15 (limited extension). Early submissions encouraged.
SECOND ROUND: The top 5% of entrepreneurs will be invited to submit a full 10 page proposal. Full plans are due within four weeks of being invited to submit.
FINAL ROUND: The top entrepreneurs will interview with judges. Winners will receive up to $20,000, mentorship, and other support as you launch.
GET STARTED: Book a plane ticket. Spend the next three months using all of your talent to start a venture and help millions of people.
To Apply:
To read about the recent winners and how to apply please click here.
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