G20 Challenge on Inclusive Business Innovation for the Bottom of the Pyramid

The G20 Challenge on Inclusive Business Innovation is a global search for businesses with innovative, scalable, and commercially viable ways of working with low-income people in developing countries.The G20 Challenge on Inclusive Business Innovation is open to eligible businesses and subsidiaries that meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Headquartered or having a substantial part of its operations in a low- or middle-income country
• For-profit entity
• Demonstrating financial sustainability: evidence of commercial financing (equity or debt) and of being current on commercial debt
• Using an innovative business model that includes individuals living at the BOP as suppliers, distributors, retailers, or customers
• Not a financial institution such as an MFI, bank, fund, or financial intermediary
• Founded before June 30, 2009, for a minimum of three years of operation by the announcement of the winners in June 2012
• Operating outside the extractive sector (oil, gas, mining)

If your business checks those seven boxes and does not produce or trade in alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or weapons, you can apply.

Every firm that submits a full application by January 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM (EST) will be entered to win one of two Early Applicant Prizes.

By recognizing businesses that have already succeeded in developing innovative, scalable, and financially sustainable inclusive business models, the G20 Challenge provides a global platform for all businesses to learn from successful leaders in the growing field of inclusive business, and enables these leaders to come together and develop linkages with other inclusive businesses.