FTxSDG Challenge
The FTxSDG Challenge, powered by the Financial Times and Seedstars, has a mission to empower impact-driven entrepreneurs in emerging markets through a startup competition split in thematic challenges based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Individual participants are also welcome to join the SDGs Challenge and work in groups to solve real challenges for the different themes. They’ll be given the opportunity to work with their team over the course of a month in order to submit a pitch on their assigned SDG topic.
The 3 winning ideas of the hackathon experience are
1st Place
Agro Eco Hub
2nd Place
DaisForUs
3rd Place
Ghana Connect
The FTxSDG Challenge gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their startups to the next level. The experience starts with participation in Investment Readiness Sessions in the lead up to the pitching competition. In parallel the individuals will be paired up with the teams to work on their solutions. Over the week of the challenge the participants will take part in masterclasses and workshops, then they will pitch their startups and ideas, get support from international mentors and the opportunity to connect to a global community of impact-driven investors. During the final day of the event the winners of each SDG theme are announced.
*For our startups category we will be looking for the most promising early-stage startups from 90+ emerging markets (Operations based in the country/city of application).
Prize for startups include
Short track to Seedstars Investor Fund (investment size of USD 500K)
Free participation to the 3 months Seedstars Growth Program (value of USD 80K)
Prize for individuals and startups include
Mentorship session after the challenge with Financial Times senior leadership team
Free access to USD 49k worth of discounts and perks from 50+ tools including AWS, Hubspot, Miro, Twilio and more
Certificates and Awards
Feature in the post-event FT PR piece and in the FT Talent Newsletter
Pitches will be featured on the FT Talent website as part of FT.com
Access to exclusive masterclasses, guest panels and networking opportunities
Testimonials
Partners
