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Global Impact Challenges

Accelerating solutions that solve Global Grand Challenges

View Challenges

Impact + technology startup challenges in innovation hubs around the world

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Global Impact Challenges are targeted, impact-based startup competitions hosted by Singularity. Since 2010, we've partnered with organizations all over the world to create competitions that identify the most innovative and promising solutions to specific Global Grand Challenges, which are then invited to join us in Silicon Valley to learn how to incorporate Singularity’s core concepts into scalable business models, before showcasing these exponential solutions to our global network of innovators, investors, experts, and impact partners.

What makes an idea GIC material?

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Leverages Exponential Technology

There are many amazing ideas out there but we are specifically looking for ideas that leverage exponential technology to solve a challenge at hand.

Solution to a Global Grand Challenge

Global Grand Challenges, or GGC's, are huge existential problems in the world. Each challenge focuses on a specific GGC so make sure your idea or solution solves for that!  

Registered Startup or Nonprofit

Applicants should be founders of a fully established entity at any stage, including idea, working prototype, minimum viable product, pilot, or traction.

2025 Challenges

Deadline: Passed
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Region: Global
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Singlarity X Sync Digital Wellbeing Global Impact Challenge

Highlighting groundbreaking ideas to address the global challenge of misinformation, cyberbullying and social disconnection. The aim of the Singularity + Sync Digital Wellbeing Global Impact Challenge is to identify and support startups that have a moonshot of solving these issues.

The Prize: Global Impact Awards

The top finalists from each Global Impact Challenge will receive a full sponsorship to attend the Global Impact Awards Program held in Silicon Valley. This intensive 4-day bootcamp is designed to accelerate founders' entrepreneurial journey by transforming their mindset and equipping them with the tools needed for success. Participants will be immersed in the heart of technological innovation, gaining exposure to the latest advancements and cutting-edge ideas.

They will engage in workshops, receive mentorship from industry leaders, refine their business ideas, develop robust business models, and perfect their pitches. The event will culminate in a pitch and awards ceremony with an in-person audience of our most influential global community members, alumni and experts, as well as a virtual audience of global partners, alumni, investors, and industry.
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Day 1:
Exponential Tech + Ideation
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Introduction to Exponential Technologies & Abundance Mindset
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Disruptive Thinking Workshops
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Market Research and Validation Strategies
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Mentor Matching
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Day 2:
Business Model Development
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Strategies for AI Integration

Building Winning Business Models and Go-to-Market Plans

Incorporating Social Impact into Strategies

Product Development Techniques
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Day 3:
Pitch Preparation + Networking
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Crafting Compelling Pitches and Storytelling
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Fundraising Strategies & Investor Relations
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Final Pitch Rehearsals with Feedback
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Day 4:
Demo Day + Awards
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Startup Presentations with Live Q&A

Award Ceremony for Best Startups
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Networking Reception

GIC Success Stories

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GIC Australia

Dendra Systems

Empowering humanity to restore the balance of our natural world by creating the tools needed to power scalable restoration. In May 2024, Dendra raised over $15 million in a Series B funding round.
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Learn more
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GIC JAPAN

Gitai

Disrupting the space industry by providing robotic labor for construction and maintenance activities in space. In August 2023, GITAI raised $45 million in Series B funding.
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Learn more
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GIC CANADA

Awake Labs

Improving quality of life and increasing independence with wearable-enabled technology to support cognitive disabilities.
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Learn more

Creating impact at exponential scale since 2010

Total number of GIC's
119
Total GIC Winners
162
First Global Impact Challenge
2010

Previous GIC Partners

Become a Sponsor
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Singularity uses F6S to receive and review GIC applications. F6S members can connect with funding and grants, post or apply for jobs, get free founder deals and apply to startup programs.

Frequently asked questions

I’m a portfolio company trying to get in touch with Singularity Ventures. Who should I contact?
Who covers the winner's travel expenses to Singularity?
Who is responsible for organizing a visa for a GIC winner?
What happens if a visa is denied to a GIC winner?
What happens if a GIC winner cannot attend the Awards for any reason?
Do ideas have to be at a certain stage to be submitted?
Who owns the intellectual property resulting from a GIC?
What is the GIC review process?