Call for Applications: D-Prize Challenge for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty 2025

Applications are now open for the D-Prize Challenge for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty 2025. The D-Prize awards startup grants of up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs launching new organizations.

Eligibility Criteria for Call for Applications: D-Prize Challenge for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty 2025

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. See who we recently seeded.

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.

Benefits of Call for Applications: D-Prize Challenge for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty 2025

1. Up to $20,000 USD in seed capital
2. Access to D-Prize's network of mentors and supporters
3. Opportunity to launch and grow a poverty-fighting social enterprise

How to Apply

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:

1. The Global Competition launches on 7 April 2025
2. Early Submission Deadline: 18 May 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time)
3. Regular Submission Deadline: 8 June 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time)
4. Extension Deadline: 29 June 2025 at midnight PT (pacific time)

For more details, visit D-Prize webpage

Application Deadline

June 29, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Call for Applications: D-Prize Challenge for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty 2025