South Africa
Technology Solutions
Innovation Ecosystem
Entrepreneurship
ICT
Socio-economic Change

You are a digital changemaker, entrepreneur, SME, policymaker or ecosystem builder with an innovative start-up or project? Submit your project or initiative to Global Innovation Forum (GIF) pitch competition!

The pitch competition aims to identify and recognise initiatives that enable countries, societies, communities, institutions and individuals to develop a thriving digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. The competition provides entrepreneurs, SMEs, policymakers and ecosystem builders with the opportunity to pitch their projects, receive feedback, and network with the audience. An expert jury will assess the impact of your initiative and give you the chance to present in front of the official GIF jury to be recognized at a global stage with a non-monetary award.

The GIF is looking for initiatives in the following three categories:

1.Digital Changemaker

For innovators using digital innovation as a tool to address local challenges, whether solving community problems or closing the digital divide to ensure inclusivity. The initiative should demonstrate a clear understanding of local needs and offer innovative approaches that leverage digital tools to create socio-economic, educational, or well-being improvements.

Initiatives must focus on creating tangible impact, offering opportunities for growth, development, or connectivity to underserved populations.

2. Ecosystem Practice

For ecosystem builders with proven initiatives that foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of ICT-centric solutions across various sectors. Initiatives should provide an enabling environment, such as policy frameworks, incubation programs, or capacity-building efforts that empower both innovators and stakeholders. Initiatives must demonstrate measurable impact, offering replicable best practices that can be adapted to other communities or countries.

3. OpenTech4Impact

For open-source or technology-driven initiatives that leverage open innovation to address social, environmental, or economic challenges. Initiatives should emphasize collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity, creating tools or platforms that benefit multiple stakeholders or industries. Initiatives should demonstrate how open technologies can be applied to solve pressing global issues, with the potential for scaling to achieve broader impact.

Click here to submit your application form

Closing date
Industry
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
​Mining and quarrying
​Manufacturing
​Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
​Construction
​Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
​Transportation and storage
Accommodation and food service activities
​Information and communication
Financial and insurance activities
​Real estate activities
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Administrative and support service activities
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
​Education
Human health and social work activities
​Arts, entertainment and recreation
​Other service activities
Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and-service-producing activities of households for own use
​Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies, not economically active people, unemployed people etc.
Website link
www.itu.int