Competition for Social Entrepreneurs to Win $12,500 & More from Ashoka 2020

Ashoka has launched the Future Skills Innovation Challenge, an international competition aimed at recognizing, supporting and nurturing the best social entrepreneurs and their innovations. Ashoka is looking for the innovators building a future where everyone has the skills needed to thrive.

Solution Categories:

1. Financial Capability
2. Employability

Eligibility Criteria:

1. You must have incorporated as a non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid organization.  
2. You must be over 18 by the time you apply.  
3. If your product has not launched, you must have a business plan and MVP (prototype, pilot, or another proof of concept).  
4. Entries will only be accepted in English (winners will be expected to engage in activities that require English proficiency).  
5. Entries from the following markets are eligible: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK (inc Channel Islands), USA, Vietnam.
6. Only one application per initiative will be accepted.
7. Employees of HSBC advertising agencies, promotion agencies and other service providers for this Challenge, their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, regardless of where they reside) are not eligible.  
8. Partners or initiatives that are already financed or supported by HSBC its affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures are not eligible.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Impact
2. Innovation
3. Financial and Operational Sustainability
4. Changemaking Activation

Prizes and Benefits:

All applicants will:

1. Have the opportunity to receive peer feedback via the prize online platform, including the opportunity to view, review and connect with other applicants of the Future Skills Challenge.
2. Receive feedback from Ashoka and/or HSBC representatives.  

Up to 50 semi-finalists will:  

1. Have an opportunity to refine entries and incorporate feedback received in the screening phase  Receive additional feedback from experts from HSBC & Ashoka.
2. Access a call for semi-finalists to connect with peers.

There will be 12 challenges winners, across 3 categories:

1. Most scalable solutions-
   • Awarded to solutions with proven models who have the potential to begin scaling their impact.
   • Winners receive and up to $25k cash prize plus support & mentoring from HSBC and Ashoka on how to scale and raise additional finance.
2. Most innovative solutions-
   • Awarded to solutions with innovative use of technology.
   • Winners receive up to $20k cash prize plus support & mentoring to help develop their innovation.  
3. Best early-stage ideas-
   • Awarded to solutions with highly innovative ideas that are still at an early stage.  
   • Winners receive up to $12.5k cash prize plus support & mentoring to develop their idea.