The D-Prize competition, which will award selected social entrepreneurs with US$20,000 to launch a pilot of a programme that could solve distribution problems in Africa and other developing regions, has opened for applications.
The competition is aimed at entrepreneurs starting social enterprises in the developing world solving D-Prize distribution problems in a number of sectors, which include female education, energy, governance and health.
D-Prize will fund between 10 and 15 entrepreneurs to pilot their projects, but will prioritise organisations less than one year old, with less than US$100,000 in prior funding and piloting new distribution-focused initiatives.
“The world has solutions to poverty. Can you distribute them to those in need?” D-Prize said in its call to action. “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?”
The organisers said D-Prize is a call to the world’s boldest entrepreneurs, and that it would help entrepreneurs whose pilots proved successful to find further funding.
Applicants have until December 30 to submit their projects, after which the top five per cent will be asked to submit a full 10-page proposal. Full plans are due within four weeks of being invited to submit.
Top entrepreneurs will be interviewed by judges, with the winners receiving up to US$20,000, mentorship and other support as they launch their programmes.
