Funding Friday...
Our last Funding Friday for 2023!
Happy Friday everyone,
This will be our last Funding Friday of 2023. I’ve highlighted some great funding opportunities these last twelve months, and I hope they have been beneficial to you.
This week's newsletter showcases a diverse array of global initiatives focusing on technology for social good, AI innovation, food sustainability, entrepreneurial growth, and more. Happy reading.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & see you in 2024!
Jesse
Global
👍🏾 Seeking Technologists for the Public Good: Mozilla Opens Call for Tech & Society Fellows - Mozilla Foundation
📝 Mozilla's Tech & Society Fellowship, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, is seeking up to 10 strategists to partner with civil society organizations. The focus is on integrating impactful technology to build a just digital world. The fellowship targets developers, tech policy analysts, designers, and more, across six countries on four continents.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Impact of Tech in Civil Society: How can technology strategists contribute to societal good through this fellowship?
Global Technology Challenges: What are the key digital challenges and opportunities in the regions targeted by the fellowship?
Strategists' Role: How will the role of technologists evolve in addressing global digital inequality?
🔗 Mozilla's Tech & Society Fellowship
⚖️ Digital Action Lab - CIVICUS
📝 The Digital Action Lab by CIVICUS is an initiative empowering civil society actors, especially in countries with restricted civic space. It focuses on developing digital interventions to strengthen organizing, advocacy, and campaign capacities. The program will work with cohorts of up to ten civil society organizations, providing them with funding, coaching, and support for pilot projects that enhance digital democracy.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Digital Empowerment: How can digital tools empower civil society organizations in restricted spaces?
Innovative Approaches: What innovative approaches could be developed to strengthen digital democracy?
Global Impact: How can this initiative contribute to the broader movement of digital democratization worldwide?
🔗 Digital Action Lab - CIVICUS
🤖 AI for Humanitarians: Shaping Future Innovation - Elrha
📝 Elrha's "AI for Humanitarians: Shaping Future Innovation" offers grants to humanitarian practitioners to explore AI opportunities and risks. The 6-month guided learning journey includes group discussions, hands-on exercises, and mentorship, focusing on real-world applications of AI in humanitarian contexts.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
AI in Humanitarian Work: How can AI be effectively utilized in humanitarian contexts?
Innovation and Challenges: What are the potential challenges and innovative solutions AI might bring to humanitarian efforts?
Learning and Development: How significant is the role of guided learning and mentorship in applying AI to real-world humanitarian problems?
🔗 AI for Humanitarians - Elrha
💻 Converge 2 by OpenAI Startup Fund
📝 Converge 2, a program by the OpenAI Startup Fund, is aimed at advancing AI innovation. This six-week program supports exceptional engineers, designers, researchers, and product builders in applying AI to various domains. Participants will engage in tech talks, social events, and discussions, receiving a $1 million investment from the OpenAI Startup Fund.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
AI Innovation: How will this program shape the future of AI development?
Diverse Participation: What impact could diverse backgrounds have on AI innovation?
Program Benefits: How can the program's investment and community aid in building cutting-edge AI applications?
🔗 Converge 2 by OpenAI Startup Fund
🥗 ProVeg Incubator Acceleration Program
📝 The ProVeg Incubator Acceleration Program supports startups reducing the consumption of animal products. Open to early-stage companies worldwide, it offers funding, training, and consultation, focusing on innovative solutions in the plant-based and alternative protein sectors.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Industry Transformation: How can this program contribute to transforming the global food industry?
Support for Startups: What impact does such an incubation program have on the growth of startups in the alternative protein sector?
Global Reach: How important is the inclusion of diverse startups from around the world for the success of this program?
🔗 ProVeg Incubator Acceleration Program
Asia-Pacific
✍🏾 EY Scholarship Program - Ernst & Young Global Limited
📝 The EY Scholarship Program rewards students with entrepreneurial spirit through a business case competition. Winners receive INR 1 lakh, a two-month internship at EY, and digital credentials on future skills. All registered students are offered a learning module on personal branding.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Entrepreneurial Spirit: How does fostering entrepreneurial skills in students shape their future careers?
Business Case Competition: What impact do such competitions have on practical learning and skill development?
Personal Branding: How important is personal branding for students transitioning from campus to corporate?
🔗 EY Scholarship Program - Ernst & Young Global Limited
🌦️ Climate Change Innovation Challenge - IIM Udaipur Incubation Centre
📝 IIM Udaipur Incubation Centre's Climate Change Innovation Challenge, under the TIDE 2.0 scheme, supports early-stage climate tech ventures. It focuses on environmental solutions and climate change mitigation, offering financial support and mentoring for ventures in areas like clean energy and sustainable cities.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Climate Tech Innovation: How can climate tech ventures contribute to environmental sustainability?
Support for Early-Stage Ventures: What impact does mentoring and financial support have on the growth of these ventures?
Environmental Solutions: How do various sectors like clean energy and sustainable cities play a role in climate change mitigation?
🔗 Climate Change Innovation Challenge
Africa
🙋🏾♀️ Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Cameroon 2024
📝 The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Cameroon 2024, supported by the U.S. Embassy, offers a program to empower women entrepreneurs through online courses and mentorship. It aims to build sustainable businesses and strengthen economic opportunities for women.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: How can this program transform the landscape for women entrepreneurs in Cameroon?
Sustainable Business Models: What role does mentorship play in fostering sustainable business practices?
Economic Impact: How might this initiative influence the broader economic landscape in Cameroon?
🔗 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs - Cameroon 2024
📚 Future of Learning - Mastercard Foundation & Co-creation Hub
📝 The Future of Learning program, a collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and Co-creation Hub, is designed to empower edtech startups in Africa. It provides equity-free funding and support for startups focused on enhancing education through technology.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
EdTech Impact: How can this program shape the future of education technology in Africa?
Startups' Role: What role do startups play in transforming the educational landscape on the continent?
Inclusive Education: How does the program ensure inclusivity and access in education through technology?
🔗 Future of Learning - Mastercard Foundation & Co-creation Hub
🖇️ Sustainable Employment through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) Program - Orbit Innovation Hub
📝 Orbit Innovation Hub, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, invites applications for the SEED program in Ethiopia. It's open to startups in Adama, Dire Dawa, Hawassa, and Jigjiga. Entrepreneurs under 35, especially young women, are encouraged to apply.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Entrepreneurial Development: How can this program impact the entrepreneurial landscape in Ethiopia?
Youth and Women Empowerment: What role does the program play in empowering youth and women?
Sustainable Business Practices: How will training in areas like financial planning and business modeling contribute to sustainable businesses?
🔗 Orbit Innovation Hub - SEED Program
🌍 Levy on Technical Devices Fund (LTDF) - Botswana
📝 The LTDF by the Botswana Government supports the creative industry, offering grants for projects in literary and artistic works, skills enhancement, and rights protection. It's open to Botswana citizens and entities, with a focus on promoting creativity and collaboration in the industry.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Creative Industry Support: How will this fund impact the growth and development of Botswana's creative sector?
Skills Enhancement: What role does skill development play in empowering artists and writers?
Cultural Preservation: How might this fund contribute to preserving and promoting Botswana's cultural heritage?