The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is a partnership of business schools in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and funding to support their social ventures. Past winners include plans for water supply, energy, micro-credit, agricultural technology, ecological building materials, and other environmental themes. The GSVC will award cash prizes up to US$40 thousand. The deadline for the first entry round in all regions is 03 December 2018. Find the competition
social enterprise
Africa Innovates for the SDGs — Award for African Social Innovators
Africa Innovates for the SDGs invites applications from early-stage social innovators in Africa who are solving pressing problems and key challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Selected innovators will receive funding to develop and scale their innovations to become financially sustainable. Applicants must be a citizen of any African country or a resident in any African countries. The deadline for applications is 07 September 2018. Find the guidelines
Tata Group — Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, 7th Edition
The Tata Group, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC), seeks to identify promising social enterprises in India. Proposals are invited for social enterprises in agriculture, water and sanitation, energy, and other thematic areas. The proposed enterprises should create social impact in India, although applicants do not have to be Indian nationals. The top three winners of the competition will win cash grants up to 2 lakhs each, to be invested in their ventures. Selected social entrepreneurs will be offered mentorship and an opportunity to be incubated at IIMC. The deadline for submitting impact proposals (business plans) is 30 September 2018. Link
OneAfricanChild Foundation — Small Grants for Youth Changemakers
The OneAfricanChild Foundation and Peace First support projects from young social entrepreneurs (13-25 years) in the themes of education, environment, gender equality, social inclusion, health, and technology. The small grants of US$250 are intended to help bring positive change to local communities. Eligibility extends to individuals from Nigeria, Kenya, Benin Republic or Cameroon. The application deadline is 15 August 2018. More
Australian Government — Direct Aid Program Africa
The Australian Government seeks applications for its Direct Aid Program (DAP) 2018/2019. DAP supports small-scale sustainable development projects and activities in the fields of agriculture; water and sanitation; environment/conservation; and others. The High Commission accepts project proposals from Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Niger and Nigeria. Funding of up to AUD60 thousand is available to community groups, NGOs, private sector entities, academic institutions, or other organisations engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis. Application closing date is 31 August 2018. More about the Direct Aid Program
YES Bank — AgriTech Innovation
The program YES SCALE seeks technology-focused startups for catalyzing agri innovations in the areas of farm, food and supply chain technology. Selected startups receive a grant of up to US$30 thousand, plus mentoring and project support. Eligibility extends to Indian and globally based startups. The deadline for applications is 30 August 2018. More
YES Bank — Cleantech Accelerator
The program YES SCALE Cleantech Accelerator seeks startups focusing on energy efficiency, waste management and water management. Selected startups receive a grant of up to US$30 thousand, plus mentoring and project support. Eligibility extends to Indian and globally based startups. The deadline for applications is 30 August 2018. Find the Cleantech Accelerator
GSMA — Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund
The GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund seeks innovations in the use of mobile technology to address humanitarian challenges. This funding round will test new technical solutions and catalyse ideas to improve food security and adaptation/resilience to climate change, among others. Projects should be implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, or Latin America. Funding of up to £300 thousand per project is available, as well as mentoring, and project support. Applications will close on 10 August 2018. Find the opportunity
World Bank — Collaborative Data Innovations for Sustainable Development
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), is interested in supporting innovative collaborations for data production to be directed towards sustainable development. Consortium members may include social enterprises, for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and academic organizations. Funding may range from between US$25 thousand and US$250 thousand. Proposals must be submitted by 15 August 2018. Click here
Leatherman Tool Group — Grants for Innovation
The Leatherman Grant program awards US$100 thousand to non-profit organizations around the world who are paving the way for change through innovative ideas. This may also include solutions or tools in the category of agriculture, energy, water, and/or cross-cutting subjects. Applications will be accepted until 31 August 2018. Link