D-Prize Global Competition 2026: Up to $20,000 for Entrepreneurs Tackling Poverty

D-Prize is inviting applications from entrepreneurs and innovators around the world who want to establish organisations addressing extreme poverty through the distribution of proven, high-impact solutions.

Unlike conventional business competitions that primarily support the development of new products, D-Prize focuses on expanding access to existing solutions that have already demonstrated their ability to improve lives.

Benefits

Selected winners can receive startup funding of up to US$20,000 to establish and grow their organisations.

The funding is intended to support the initial distribution of proven poverty interventions, including activities such as:

• Establishing new social enterprises.
• Expanding access to essential services.
• Building distribution networks.
• Reaching underserved communities.
• Testing and improving delivery models.

Areas of Interest

D-Prize supports solutions addressing challenges such as:

• Education.
• Agriculture.
• Healthcare.
• Energy access.
• Clean water and sanitation.
• Livelihoods.
• Financial inclusion.
• Other interventions targeting extreme poverty.

Eligibility Requirements

The competition is open internationally.

Applicants should:

• Be interested in establishing a new organisation.
• Identify an existing, evidence-based solution to a poverty-related problem.
• Demonstrate how they will distribute that solution to underserved populations.
• Present a realistic implementation strategy.
• Explain how the proposed organisation can achieve measurable impact.

The competition is not intended to fund ordinary business expansion or ideas without a clear connection to proven poverty interventions.

Application Process

Applicants begin by submitting a short concept note and CV through the official competition platform.

Successful candidates progress through subsequent selection stages.

Application Deadline

November 15, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested entrepreneurs should review the available challenges and application instructions on the official D-Prize website.

Official website and application information:

https://d-prize.org/

important Information:

The competition supports entrepreneurs establishing new organisations capable of delivering these solutions to underserved communities.

Nigerian entrepreneurs are eligible to apply.

The competition also provides successful applicants with an opportunity to develop organisations focused on measurable social impact.

Applicants must select an eligible intervention from the competition's official challenge