Applications are officially open for the 2026 edition of the D-Prize Challenge, a global competition designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs who are committed to tackling poverty. Selected winners will receive seed funding of up to $20,000 to help them bring their innovative ventures to life.

This challenge is geared toward aspiring founders who are at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys. The majority of previous recipients had no prior funding or formally established organizations before applying. In fact, many had never launched a venture before participating in the D-Prize program.

The selection process begins with an initial application, where candidates are asked to submit a concise two-page summary of their business idea along with resumes. With over 3,000 submissions typically received per round, only a small percentage of applicants—about the top 5%—are invited to proceed to the second phase. This stage involves responding to a set of detailed written questions within a two-week window.

From there, a final group of standout applicants is chosen for interviews conducted via phone and email. The most promising individuals—around the top 1%—are awarded funding of up to $20,000 to begin piloting their ideas. Winners then spend the following months launching their ventures and building the foundation for long-term impact.

Scroll down for more information and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity