The Global Innovation fund is a unique investment fund that supports the piloting, rigorous testing and scaling of innovations targeted at improving the lives of the poorest people in developing countries. It’s purpose is to support a portfolio of innovations that collectively open up opportunities and improve the lives of millions of people across the developing world.

Innovators at all stages of development can be supported, as long as there is potential for social impact at a large scale. The funds are usually given through grants, loans and equity investments ranging from $50,000 to $15 million. 

Eligibility Criteria

If your organisation fulfills the four (4) criteria below, you could be a good fit for the Global Innovation Fund. 

• Innovation and Impact: does your intervention meaningly improve the lives of those living on less than $5 per day?  
• Measuring Success and sharing lessons learned: Are you committed to evaluating your own success with plans to collect data and feedback to inform decisions?
• Potential to Scale: Only innovations with a potential to scale to reach millions of people will be considered.
• Team: Does your team have clear roles, responsibilities and time commitments needed to be successful?

How to Apply

• To apply, applicants are required to submit an initial application which includes a short online form and either a document (2-4) pages OR a slide deck (8-12 slides e.g. in PowerPoint. Applicants are also welcome to submit a video (maximum 8 minutes) as an optional addition to the application. Applications must be in English.
• The purpose of the initial application is for applicants to demonstrate how their innovation is a good fit for the Global Innovation Fund. Successful applicants at this stage will credibly show how their application meets the four investment criteria.

If applicants pass this initial application stage, they would be required to supply more information by the fund.

For more information about the application process, visit the information page here.

Application Deadline

• Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, with no deadlines or ’rounds’ of funding. The review process is highly process is highly selective and rigorous, less than 10% of applicants are invited to submit full proposals.