Overview:
The GSMA Innovation Fund (“the Fund”) supports innovative start-ups or small to
medium-sized private sector companies (SMEs) in emerging markets to achieve sustainable growth and improved socio-economic impact. The Fund aims to support innovation that increases mobile internet adoption and usage for the underserved and those who are currently not using mobile internet services. The Fund is looking for start-ups or SMEs willing and able to work with mobile operators on projects which advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GSMA Innovation Fund (“the Fund”) supports innovative start-ups or small to medium-sized private sector companies (SMEs) in emerging markets to achieve sustainable growth and improved socio-economic impact. The Fund aims to support innovation that increases mobile internet adoption and usage for the underserved and those who are currently not using mobile internet services. The Fund is looking for start-ups or SMEs willing and able to work with mobile operators on projects which advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The objective of the Fund is to support solutions that seek to address one or more of the following barriers to mobile internet adoption:
- Accessibility: Innovations that improve the accessibility and usability of handsets and mobile internet services for citizens who are unable to access them. This will not include access to networks, electricity or IDs
- Affordability: Innovations which improve the affordability of handsets and mobile internet services
- Digital skills: Innovations which focus on improving basic digital skills and confidence to access and use mobile internet
- Safety and security: Innovations that focus on improving the safety and security of those who want to use mobile internet. This will not include tackling issues of data privacy and fraud
Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply, start-ups or SMEs must meet the following criteria:
- Have active users and revenue in at least one eligible low- or middle-income market
- Use or be planning to use mobile technology strategically
- Have the potential and appetite to form strategic partnerships with mobile operators
- Have a clear and measurable socio-economic impact, in particular: serving low-income citizens, rural populations, women and/or youth
- Demonstrate how they will advance the SDGs
- Be registered and operating in the country of project implementation. The applicant must also be registered
- in the country where they will receive the grant money (if not the same as the implementation country).
- Be fully compliant with relevant business licensing, taxation, employee and other relevant regulations in all countries of operation
- Be compliant with all applicable laws including upholding/adhering to fundamental human rights,
- UK Modern Slavery Acts, Gender Equality Act, Child Protection Policies and all international labor standards
- Have 50% matching funding for the total grant amount ‘in cash’ and/or ‘in kind
Application Process:
Complete a short online ‘pitch’ questionnaire for the project and demonstrate how you meet the funding criteria, to be reviewed by the Fund Manager and the GSMA. The deadline for submitting the pitches is 22 May 2020.
