ELIGIBILITY:

Mission and purpose Applicants must demonstrate high levels of social impact and ideally be able to measure it in a reliable manner (eg improved health indicators, reduced out-of pocket expenses).

Target group Low-income populations must constitute at least 30% of the applicants’ customer base. Applicants should have a deep understanding of the specific circumstances of the people – women as well as men – they serve. Priority will be given to enterprises that are gender-inclusive, that is, strive to reduce gender inequalities.

Geography Applicants must operate in countries defined as low-income or lower-middle-income countries by the World Bank.

Operating model Applicants must operate on a market basis. While the venture may depend on grant funding, it must demonstrate an ability to grow and scale through earned revenue. Size Applicants must have been formally established by 2021, serve at least 20000 people and have the potential to reach at least 100000 people in the next two years.

Organisation Applicants must have a solid management team in which responsibilities are well-defined and distributed. It should also have a diverse, well-structured workforce. Preference will be given to ventures with at least one female founder, or at least 30% women in the management team.

Legal compliance Applicants must comply with the legal framework of the country or countries in which they operate and be allowed to receive grant funding from a Swiss nongovernmental organisation such as the Swiss Re Foundation.

BENEFIT:

Total grant of USD 700,000 for the three finalists. This amount is divided among the winning initiative (which may receive up to USD 350,000) and the two runners-up and is paid in instalments over two years.

The finalist that wins the People’s Choice Award, determined by public online vote, will be invited to connect with potential investors at an event hosted by Sankalp Forum, one of the world’s largest platforms for impact enterprises.