The GSMA Mobile for Development is now accepting entries for its GSMA Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption and Digital Inclusion from start-ups or Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia who are helping people get online for the first time using mobile internet.
The GSMA Innovation Fund supports innovative start-ups or small to medium-sized private sector companies in emerging markets to achieve sustainable growth and improved socio-economic impact. The Fund aims to support innovation that increases mobile internet adoption and usage for the underserved and those who are currently not using mobile internet services.
The objective of the Fund is to support solutions that seek to address one or more of the following barriers to mobile internet adoption:
- Accessibility: Innovations which improve the accessibility and usability of handsets and mobile internet services for citizens who are unable to access them. This will not include access to networks, electricity or IDs.
- Affordability: Innovations which improve the affordability of handsets and mobile internet services.
- Digital skills: Innovations which focus on improving basic digital skills and confidence to access and use mobile internet.
- Safety and security: Innovations which focus on improving the safety and security of those who want to use mobile internet. This will not include tackling issues of data privacy and fraud.
Successful applicants can get an equity-free grant of between £100,000 and £250,000 to scale innovation over a 15- to 18-month period.
Interested applicants must submit the project on May 22, 2020. Terms and conditions document which contains details on the eligibility criteria and application process can be downloaded from website https://www.gsma.com/.
For more information and to submit proposals, please go to https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/gsma-innovation-fund-mobile-internet-adoption/.
