D-Prize Global Challenge for Social Entrepreneurs (Up to $20k Grant)

You can now apply for the 2026 edition of The D-Prize Global Challenge for social entrepreneurs with innovative ventures that aims to complement international efforts to eliminate poverty especially within underserved populations, this challenge provide a perfect opportunity to turn that vision into action. By awarding seed grants up to US $20,000, D-Prize helps early-stage startups build a pilot and test their solution on the ground..

D-Prize believes 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.

The seed support is meant to be the launching point for your organization that grows to large-scale. Follow the 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.

Key Benefits

Up to US $20,000 in equity-free seed funding to help launch or pilot your venture.

D-Prize. Distribution equals development
Opportunity to build a social enterprise (non-profit or for-profit) around proven, high-impact interventions — giving you a platform to scale in underserved regions.

Exposure to a global network of like-minded social innovators, access to guidance and potential follow-on support if the pilot succeeds.

Flexibility in business model: D-Prize funds non-profits, for-profits, charities or hybrid organisations, so long as the goal is social impact.

Eligibility Requirements

• 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.

Evaluation process

Round 1

Submit your two-page concept note and resume(s).  We receive 3000+ submissions per competition.

Round 2

Top 5% of entrepreneurs are invited to answer short written questions. You will have two weeks to draft and submit.

 Final round  

Top entrepreneurs have phone and email interviews. The top 1% receive up to $20,000 to launch.

Award & Launch

Spend the next few months piloting your idea and building an organization that soon grows to a large scale.

Application Timeline

• Select a challenge above and be prepared for the following deadlines: 
• The Global Competition launches on 13 October 2025
• Early Submission Deadline: 23 November 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time) 
• Regular Submission Deadline: 14 December 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time) 
• Extension Deadline: 4 January 2026 at midnight PT (pacific time) Global Competition launches on 7 April 2025
• Early Submission Deadline: 18 May 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time)
• Regular Submission Deadline: 8 June 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time)
• Extension Deadline: 29 June 2025 at midnight PT (Pacific Time)

Deadline: 14 December, 2025. 

Click HERE to Apply

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