Ecosystem · Connect & fund
Impact Startup Challenge
Pitch a solution to a pressing social issue. Finalists get mentorship, introductions to investors and seed funding.
SIA’s national call for new ideas that solve social problems. A good idea does not stop at the final: the Challenge is a way into Ideate, the first stage of the SIA Pathway.
At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Young founders and early impact startups
- What you get
- Mentors, investor introductions and seed funding
- Last edition
- 450+ ideas · PKR 1.5 million awarded
- How to start
- Submit your idea and your pitch deck with the form
Submit your idea
The problem you care about, and your idea for solving it.
Thank you. Your idea is in, and the team will be in touch about the next step. Your reference is {ref}.Create a free My SIA account to follow it, send documents and talk to the team.
The Challenge in numbers
A national call for ideas
- 450+Ideas received in the last edition
- PKR 1.5MSeed funding awarded
- Every yearThe Strategic Plan runs the Challenge yearly, with growing prizes
How it works
From idea to pitch
- 1Submit your ideaThe problem, who it affects, your solution
- 2ShortlistThe strongest ideas are selected
- 3Bootcamp and mentoringShape your idea with mentors
- 4PitchTo judges and investors
- 5AwardsSeed funding for the winners
- 6Next stageA route into Ideate
For finalists
What finalists get
- Mentorship from experienced founders and professionals
- Introductions to investors
- Seed funding for the winning ideas
- A place on the SIA Pathway
Prepare to pitch
A pitch in six parts
- The problemOne real person who has it, and how many others do
- Your solutionWhat it is and how it works, in plain words
- ProofAnything you have tested, sold or learned
- The moneyWho pays, and roughly what it costs to run
- The teamWhy you are the people to do this
- The askWhat you will do with the seed funding
FAQ
Questions about the Challenge
When is the next Challenge?
Dates for the next edition are announced on this page. Register your interest to hear when the call opens.
Who can enter?
The Challenge is a national call for solutions to pressing social issues. Who can enter (age, location, team size) is set out when each edition’s call opens.
I did not win. What now?
The Challenge is one way into the Pathway, not the only one. Look at Ideate.
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