Moonshots for Development Open Innovation Challenge Info Session

18 March 2026. Interactive virtual information session Moonshots for Development Open Innovation Challenge Info Session + 12 February 2026. Moonshots for Development Open Innovation Challenge Info Session

Innovators are invited to apply towards this transformative program, offering up to $360,000 in funding and support to teams and paving the way for groundbreaking success. Teams chosen for this remarkable opportunity will embark on an innovation journey that will take their ideas to the next level:

1. Begin with the Phase 0 virtual bootcamp, a dynamic launchpad designed to propel business model development, enriched by a month of personalized mentorship that will set the foundation for success in later stages.
2. Select teams progress to Phase 1, where startups can secure up to $10,000 USD. This phase offers bespoke coaching tailored to your unique business needs, with exclusive access to M4D’s invaluable resources and networks.
3. Top teams advance to Phase 2, with up to $100,000 USD in funding, along with comprehensive pilot and implementation support to bring your vision to life.
4. Finalists in Phase 3 have the potential to earn up to $250,000 USD and receive unparalleled support to scale your enterprise to new heights.

Presentation

Recording of 12/02:

Note:

9 May 2024. IFAD-M4D Open Innovation Challenge Winners Session.

Late in 2023, Moonshots for Development (M4D), a partnership among the innovation labs of international financial institutions, launched the AI for Climate Resilience in Rural AreasOpen Innovation Challenge, a joint effort to scout and scale AI-driven technologies that empower rural communities and help them adapt to climate change and build their resilience.


Throughout the programme, 237 startups applied, and nine of them were selected to receive training and establish essential network connections to enhance the chances at scalability of their innovative projects.

• Agpreneur and Farmer Lifeline Technologies were awarded IFAD funding of USD50,000, with tailored-made coaching sessions on lean innovation and behavioural design. Furthermore, CGIAR will match these two teams with CGIAR scientists for further technical support and an opportunity to receive $10,000 in equity-free grant funding.
• Boomitra (India) will be receiving USD50,000 from ADB for piloting their proposed solution as part of ADB’s operations in the member countries.
• Viamo will be sponsored by the WFP Innovation Accelerator for participating in its SprintProgramme, and was awarded IFAD funding of USD50,000, plus access to the same personalized coaching programme that IFAD will be offering to Agpreneur and Farmer Lifeline Technologies.