D-Prize Challenges for Social Entrepreneur 2024

We believe social impact organizations are uniquely positioned to distribute an existing product or service known to improve lives where need still exists. View the D-Prize Challenges below and select one of the high-impact products or services in need of greater global access.

Our seed support is meant to be the launching point for your organization that grows to large-scale. Follow our Application Process to design an initial test pilot of your larger vision. Submit your concept to our twice-annual competition. If selected, you will receive seed support to launch.

• Table of Content
• About D-Prize
• D-Prize Challenges
• Aim and Benefits of D-Prize Challenges
• Requirements for D-Prize Challenges Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for D-Prize Challenges
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About D-Prize

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 most. Our programs produce new "distribution entrepreneurs" - social entrepreneurs who start new ventures that distribute proven life-enhancing technologies to millions of people living in extreme poverty... read more... continue reading

D-Prize Challenges

Aim and Benefits of D-Prize Challenges

We award startup grants of up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs launching new organizations. We believe the world needs more social impact organizations, and we seed for-profit ventures, NGOs, and charities. We support organizations in any low-or-middle income country where extreme poverty still exists.

Requirements for D-Prize Challenges Qualification

D-Prize is for new organizations. Most of our awardees are first-time entrepreneurs. Most have not yet launched their organization, nor have they raised other funding. We especially encourage those from low-and-middle income countries to apply. 

We will consider applications from existing organizations only if your core focus is distributing an existing and evidence-based poverty intervention. We typically will not support organizations with more than 18 months of full time operations or that have raised more than $30,000 USD in outside funding.

Interview date, Process and Venue for D-Prize Challenges

Select a challenge above and be prepared for the following deadlines: 

• The Global Competition launches on 6 May 2024.
• Early Submission Deadline: 23 June 2024 at midnight PT (Pacific Time) 
• Regular Submission Deadline: 14 July 2024 at midnight PT (Pacific Time) 
• Extension Deadline: 4 August 2024 at midnight PT (Pacific Time) 

Evaluation:

• Submit your two-page concept note and resume(s).  We receive 2500+ submissions per competition.
• Top 5% of entrepreneurs are invited to answer short written questions. You will have two weeks to draft and submit.
• Top entrepreneurs have phone and email interviews. The top 1% receive up to $20,000 to launch.
• Spend the next few months piloting your idea and building an organization that soon grows to a large scale.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Proposal Instructions

• Prepare your concept note and resume(s), and clearly name your files. Concept notes
• and resumes can be separate documents. Files must be PDF and are limited to a size of
• 4MB each.
• Proposals must be written in English. However, your English does not need to be perfect
• to apply, and grammar and vocabulary errors will not be penalized. We only want to
• understand your idea.
• Input your contact details and upload your documents to www.d-prize.org/submit

If you have questions, send an email to the D-Prize team at [email protected].

For more details, visit D-prize website