The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs seeks to empower entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to develop climate-resilient solutions in the agriculture, water security, and sustainable tourism sectors. The Challenge is open to for-profit organizations, local entrepreneurs, and innovators. Winners will receive tailored mentoring, leadership development, communications, and resource mobilization support. Additionally, they will receive prizes ranging up to US$25 thousand to further develop and scale their solutions. The submission deadline is 29 November 2024. Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs
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U.S. African Development Foundation — Off-Grid Energy Challenge
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) requests proposals for the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Selected African off-grid energy companies will receive funding in the form of grant capital of up to US$250 thousand. Applicants must be 100% African-owned and -managed to be considered for the Challenge. Applicants must submit the completed application before 12 December 2024. Off-Grid Energy
Institute of Food Technologists — Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge
The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge seeks game-changing innovations that will help transform the food system to be more sustainable and empower consumers to make choices that benefit both personal and planetary health. The Challenge will award up to eight US$25 thousand grants, up to three US$100 thousand grants, and up to two US$250 thousand grand prizes. Nonprofits or academic or research institutions located in any country and early-stage U.S.-based for-profit companies are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. However, teams of students or researchers may participate as part of an organization’s submission. Applications are due on 06 January 2025. More information
Enterprise Singapore — Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2024
The Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge invites industry partners and creative innovators to co-develop sustainable solutions in key areas such as sustainable materials, packaging, zero-waste, and more. Participants have the chance to collaborate with major partners and access funding to develop their solutions. Prizes include potential grant support (US$75 thousand from Hexagon Group), as well as funding and real-world testing facilitated by industry pioneers. The challenge is open to startups, small to medium enterprises, institutes of higher learning, and research institutes across the world. The application deadline is 27 January 2025. Details here
Common Fund for Commodities — Support for Commodity Development
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises for production, value chains, and marketing across a wide group of commodities (agricultural crops, tree crops, timber, bamboo and rattan, minerals, and others). Projects need to focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Innovative solutions for new agritech applications, access to renewable energy, or expanding environmental services are especially welcome. All interested SMEs, enterprises, cooperatives, and governments must submit proposals no later than 01 April 2025. Common Fund for Commodities
EnDev — Renewable Energy Uganda
EnDev offers Business Development Services support through targeted mentorship, training, and coaching in thematic areas that promote key business processes and operations to interested enterprises in the solar and cooking sectors in Uganda. The target is to support selected solar and cooking enterprises to grow their business and the renewable energy subsector in general. Applications are open to small and medium enterprises operating in the solar and clean cooking sectors in Uganda. Enterprises can apply until 13 November 2024. Details
Food and Agriculture Organization — Farmer Soil Contest
Applications are open for the Farmer Contest to celebrate and empower farmers who demonstrate effective and innovative practices for improving soil health. The contest aims to celebrate and empower farmers who demonstrate effective and innovative practices for improving soil health and promoting sustainable soil management globally. The champion farmer will be invited to participate in the 2024 World Soil Day (WSD) celebration in Thailand. Submission closes on 17 November 2024. Farmer Soil Contest
MassChallenge — Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge
MassChallenge seeks startups and corporations with proven solutions or technologies in the areas of Sustainable Food & Feed Solutions, AgTech, and others. The Challenge allows participants to work together, create a joint pitch, and scale up innovative solutions. Selected corporate partners will be invited to the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge Day (May 2025). Selected startups will receive CHF1,000 to contribute towards travel to the event. Applicants can be from any geography. However, partners are headquartered in Europe, so physical collaboration would be mostly in Europe. The application deadline is 18 November 2024. Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge
Mastercard Foundation Fund — Agribusiness Challenge Fund
The Mastercard Foundation Fund calls for proposals for the Agribusiness Challenge Fund aimed at African enterprises in the agriculture sector to create work opportunities at scale. Selected businesses will receive grants ranging from US$ 500 thousand to US$ 2.5 million disbursed over a 3-year period. The Fund targets African agri-businesses in Sub-Saharan African countries. The application will close on 22 November 2024. Agribusiness Challenge Fund
Convergence — Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant
The Asia Climate Solutions (ACS) Design Grant awards grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance solutions for climate transition and resilience in Asia. The grant will target critical climate mitigation and adaptation sectors in Asia including nature-based solutions, clean energy transition, and sustainable cities and infrastructure. Feasibility study grants range between US$50 thousand to US$200 thousand. Proof-of-concept grants range between US$200 thousand to US$400 thousand. Proposals will only be accepted from organizations or consortiums of organizations. The next application deadline is 22 November 2024. Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant