D-Prize expands access to poverty-alleviation interventions in the developing world. Many solutions to poverty already exist. The challenge is distributing these solutions to the people who need it the most. Hence, the D-Prize Entrepreneurship challenge aims to produce new “distribution entrepreneurs”; social entrepreneurs who start new ventures that distribute proven life-enhancing technologies to millions of people living in extreme poverty.

As such, applications are open for the 2020 D-Prize Entrepreneurship Challenge. It aims to bring together social entrepreneurs in a startup competition in order to:

1. Significantly increase access to life-enhancing technologies in the developing world – and prove an impact in a measurable way.
2. Encourage young entrepreneurs to focus their talent on the developing world, pilot new solutions to distribution problems, as well as launch new social ventures.
3. Encourage a global dialogue on the importance of leveraging distribution solutions for development. We believe the path to development is through solving distribution.

D-Prize Entrepreneurship Challenge Winners

Entrepreneurs invited to the Final Round will interview with judges over email and on the phone. Depending on the promise and cost-effectiveness of a proposal, judges may award up to $20,000 in funding. The average D-Prize award size is $12,000.

The D-Prize Entrepreneurship Challenge is open in following tracks:

1. Girls’ Education
2. Agriculture
3. Energy
4. Global Health
5. Education
6. Governance And Infrastructure
7. Custom: Build your own Challenge

Who is eligible for the D-Prize Entrepreneurship Challenge?

D-Prize Startup challenge is open to anyone or any teams from all over the world. The sole restriction is that individuals and their immediate family on the judging panel may not participate as a contestant. D-Prize is also open to any business model (for-profit, non-profit, and everything in between).

The judging panel will select up to 25 of the most promising proposals for funding awards, regardless of the challenge track. Moreover, the judging panel constitutes of individuals with professional experience distributing life-changing technologies in the developing world. The panel will select the innovation pitch on the basis of

• Passion and potential for a candidate’s success, as evidenced by their academic and professional background, relevant skills, and quick leadership trajectory.
• Focus on distribution. Proposals must focus on distributing a proven poverty solution that needs greater access in the developing world.
• Potential for scale, based on the organizational model proposed in the concept note and the entrepreneur’s desire to commit and grow.

How to participate in the 2020 D-Prize Entrepreneurship Challenge?

In order to participate in the competition, the candidates will require to complete and submit the online application form. While submitting the application, the candidates must consider:

• Submitting the Proposals as per the instructions in the packet.
• Extra materials outside of the proposal are not considered.
• Revisions to proposals after submission are also not eligible.
• Only one proposal per person or partnership.
• Proposals must be in English

Further, candidates submit a resume for each person on the team, limited to one page per person. Resumes should highlight the most relevant past leadership roles and accomplishments.

Also, candidates must provide a URL link to one website with credible evidence that supports their intervention. Further, it is recommended that the candidates include 1 additional page elaborating on their intervention, and citing evidence that it is proven and in need of greater distribution.

Deadline

Candidates must send their proposal by 20 October 2019 for early decision. While the regular deadline for sending out the proposal for 2020 D-Prize Entrepreneurship Challenge is 10 November 2019. The extended deadline for the first 200 candidates (after 10 November) is until 1st December 2019.