A common problem faced by young entrepreneurs is the lack of proper funding. They often have innovative ideas and plans but they cannot proceed until they have secured their finances. In order for a great business idea to kick start, there is always the need of external monetary funds. Below, we list and briefly review some funding opportunities available to Pakistani social entrepreneurs.
Ashden Awards
Focus Areas: Sustainable Energy
Deadline: November
Eligibility Criteria
The work should be energy oriented, and should focus on improving the life of women and children through the production of sustainable energy. It should be running for at least a year.
Ashoka Fellowship
Focus Areas: Innovation, Change.
Deadline: November
Eligibility Criteria
The business idea should induce a change in some old patterns and must have some plan for big social impact. The candidates must commit full time after the launch.
BASES Challenge
Focus Area(s): Health, Energy.
Deadline: February
Eligibility Criteria
The team must have at least one Stanford student or alumnus in order to participate. Teams that propose business ideas that can have a social impact are chosen.
Buckminster Fuller Challenge
Focus Area(s): Environment, Development.
Deadline: March
Eligibility Criteria
The panel looks for people who have ideas that are integrated with sustainability, environmental preservation and provide solutions to some regional and global geographical problems.
Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship
Focus Area(s): Energy, Healthcare, and Communication.
Deadline: On-going
Eligibility Criteria
The CiieIndia is looking for early-stage companies that have innovative business ideas and need guidance in the implementation of their models.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Fellows
Focus Area(s): Society, Change.
Deadline: On-going
Eligibility Criteria
Entrepreneurs who have early-stage companies, and who have a focused and well-developed business idea can apply. The organization or company must have a national or international scope.
Echoing Green Fellowship
Focus Area(s): Social change
Deadline: November
Eligibility Criteria
The business idea needs to be innovative and should operate autonomously. It should also be in its start-up phase.
Endeavor Global
Focus Area(s): Economy, Technology.
Deadline: On-going
Eligibility Criteria
They are looking for high grossing entrepreneurship ideas that are in the early-stage of growth. The business idea should not be restricted in its social impact, but must introduce great transformation.
Global Social Venture Competition
Focus Area(s): Society, Economy.
Deadline: December
Eligibility Criteria
In order to apply, the team must consist of at least one graduate at the masters or postgraduate level. The team must also present a venture that will be self sufficient in the long run.
GoodCompany Ventures
Focus Area(s): Society, Change.
Deadline: April
Eligibility Criteria
Entrepreneurs who have completed the early-stage and are entering the beta testing stage are eligible to apply. They must also be working on a project that will have some social impact.
Hub Ventures
Focus Area(s): Social Impact, Technology.
Deadline: March
Eligibility Criteria
Companies in their early-stage of production are eligible to apply. Business ideas that indorse good through technology and are scaleable are preferred.
Mind Trust Education Entrepreneurship Fellowship
Focus Area(s): Education, Social Impact.
Deadline: On-going.
Eligibility Criteria
They are looking for entrepreneurs who are based in US and want to work on ventures that will improve the quality of education available to the needy children.
PopTech Social Innovation Fellowship
Focus Area(s): Technology, Innovation.
Deadline: February
Eligibility Criteria
The nomination for this fellowship is only by invitation. They nominate entrepreneurs who have years of work experience and whose work has some social impact.
Rolex Awards Supporting Enterprising Individuals
Focus Area(s): Technology, Health, Culture.
Deadline: See website.
Eligibility Criteria
Entrepreneurs anywhere in the World are eligible for the application process but their project must be innovative, and must contribute to the well being of the planet in some way.
Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Focus Areas: Society, Economy.
Deadline: Autumn
Eligibility Criteria
Entrepreneurs who have scalable business ideas that will induce social change, and will be helpful in shaping the economy and industry of the World are welcomed.
