World Bank 2020 Global Tech Challenge: Solutions for Women

Published: 19 May 2020 1,443 views

The World Bank Group, one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, has partnered with CES —the world’s largest and most influential technology event—to launch a Global Tech Challenge to bridge the digital gender divide, qualified and interested candidates are advised to apply. 

The challenge is open to all eligible for-profit and public interest organizations that are currently in the process of scaling solutions to bridge the gender digital divide.

World Bank-CES Global Tech Challenge

Application Deadline	June 1, 2020
Type	Entrepreneurs
Sponsor	World Bank
Gender	Women

Benefits of World Bank-CES Global Tech Challenge

Winners will:

1. Receive recognition and brand visibility at CES 2021 as a Global Tech Challenge winner.
2. Engage with governments and World Bank Group teams to potentially scale their solutions within development projects.
3. Access mentorship from technology companies and World Bank leaders to help scale their solutions.
4. Share their stories at multiple international fora such as CES 2021, regional conferences, and the World Bank Group’s Spring and Annual Meetings.
5. Build their professional networks and raise their international profile and brand.

Requirements for World Bank-CES Global Tech Challenge

The challenge is open to all eligible for-profit and public interest organizations that are currently in the process of scaling solutions to bridge the gender digital divide.

1. Individuals and governments are not eligible to apply.
2. UN Agencies are not eligible to apply.
3. Recently registered organizations (both for-profit and not-for-profit) are eligible to apply.

There are no eligibility restrictions based on the size of the organization, be it a start-up, privately traded, or publicly traded organization. There are no restrictions on the size of public interest organizations either. There are no restrictions based on the organization’s focus area or current business lines. Organizations that are exploring gendered effects of existent solutions are eligible to apply.

Selection Process

Timeline

1. The challenge was announced on 7 Jan 2020 at the CES Tech Conference 2020
2. Applications open February 28, 2020
3. Applications will be accepted through June 1, 2020, 23:59, midnight (23:59) in the applicant’s local time zone.
4. Innovators will have the opportunity to meet World Bank teams in July/August 2020
5. Finalists announced in October 2020 at the World Bank Annual Meetings
6. Winners announced at CES 2021

Judging Process

1. Solutions will be evaluated by a diverse and eminent panel of experts drawn from different global practices within the World Bank Group. 
2. The panel shall comprise task team leads, researchers, managers, and country management units.
3. There will be separate panels for the focus areas outlined by the challenge.
4. Care will be taken to ensure diversity (both of geography and gender) on the judging panels. Applications will be screened for eligibility by a working group before being presented to the full panel.
5. Conflict of interest (including perceived conflicts) will be considered in constituting review panels for each application. Conflicts of interest would include presence on boards of applicant organizations as well as close familial relationships with senior management or the Board of Directors of an applicant entity.

Application Deadline

June 1, 2020

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to World Bank on www.abstractscorecard.com to apply