G20 MSME Challenge

 G20 MSME Challenge hero banner

 

Showcase Your Innovation on the Global Stage

Cape Town, South Africa | September 26-29, 2025

About the Challenge

The G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA) is a ground-breaking initiative by the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) of the Group of 20, established to identify, recognise, and enable the adoption of innovative digital technologies developed by startups from G20 countries and invited guest nations.

Our mission is to address humanity's most pressing needs across six critical sectors through cutting-edge digital solutions that can create global population-scale impact, reduce the digital divide, and enable sustainable and inclusive techno-socio-economic development.

The G20-DIA Summit will bring together top-nominated startups from each theme area to showcase their solutions to a global community of investors, mentors, corporates, and government stakeholders on the sidelines of the DEWG meeting in Cape Town.

Six Innovation Themes

1. Fintech

Transforming Financial Services

We seek innovative digital solutions that transform financial services and improve money management, access, and transfer. Your entry should address financial inclusion, streamline payments, enhance transaction security, improve credit access, or reimagine banking services.

Focus Areas:

  • Reducing barriers to financial services
  • Lowering costs for underserved populations
  • Creating new possibilities for financial access
  • Demonstrating regulatory compliance and security
  • Showing scalability potential in the fintech landscape

2. Digital Platforms and AI Tools

Connecting Communities Through Technology

This stream focuses on innovative solutions that create value by connecting multiple user groups in virtual marketplaces. Develop scalable platforms that address market inefficiencies, create new digital ecosystems, or transform industries through technology-enabled connections.

Focus Areas:

  • Reducing transaction costs
  • Increasing market access
  • Enabling new forms of collaboration
  • Addressing challenges in underserved markets
  • Demonstrating clear value proposition and scalability

3. Secured Digital Infrastructure

Strengthening Our Digital Foundation

We're looking for solutions that strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, and system resilience in our connected ecosystem. Showcase technologies that protect digital assets, safeguard information, secure networks, or ensure business continuity during threats.

Focus Areas:

  • Enhancing digital trust
  • Enabling safe adoption of emerging technologies
  • Creating accessible security measures for SMEs
  • Protecting against critical security challenges
  • Demonstrating business value through security

4. Circular Economy

Extending Technology Lifecycles

This stream seeks digital solutions that extend tech product lifecycles and reduce e-waste. Show how your innovations enable sustainable practices such as refurbishment, component recovery, equipment sharing, or resource optimization.

Focus Areas:

  • Demonstrating clear business value
  • Addressing environmental challenges of linear consumption
  • Embracing circular principles within ICT supply chains
  • Helping other industries adopt sustainable practices
  • Creating measurable environmental impact

5. Innovation for Development (Social Impact)

Technology for Social Good

We seek digital solutions addressing critical social challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and education. Develop technologies that improve agricultural productivity, enhance healthcare access, or transform educational delivery while creating both social impact and business value.

Focus Areas:

  • Solving specific problems in agriculture, healthcare, or education
  • Ensuring accessibility and local adaptability
  • Demonstrating scalability potential
  • Addressing needs in underserved or resource-constrained environments
  • Creating measurable social impact

6. Innovation for Connectivity

Bridging the Digital Divide

This stream focuses on digital solutions that bridge the digital divide and enhance network infrastructure for underserved communities. Develop technologies that improve internet access, strengthen telecommunications, or create affordable connectivity options.

Focus Areas:

  • Overcoming barriers to digital inclusion
  • Creating sustainable business models
  • Demonstrating scalability and adaptability
  • Serving remote or resource-constrained settings
  • Building infrastructure for the future

Timeline & Key Dates

June 30, 2025 Final deadline for member states to submit nominations

July 15, 2025 Top 1 startup from each of the 6 sectors submitted by G20 and guest countries

July - August 2025 Virtual Accelerator Programme for selected startups

September 25, 2025 Arrival at the G20 SME25 Summit in Cape Town

September 26-29, 2025 G20 SME25 Summit - Multi-day programme featuring innovation showcase, networking, panel discussions, and pitching sessions

September 29, 2025 Award Ceremony recognizing top three digital innovations in each category, followed by Gala Dinner

Evaluation Criteria

Startups will be evaluated based on a comprehensive set of criteria:

  • Team - Strength and expertise of the founding team
  • Technology/Innovation - Uniqueness and technical excellence of the solution
  • Revenue - Current financial performance and revenue streams
  • Market Size - Addressable market and growth potential
  • Business Model - Viability and sustainability of the business approach
  • Scalability - Ability to grow and expand the solution
  • Sustainability - Long-term viability and environmental considerations
  • Competitive Advantage - Unique positioning in the market
  • Qualitative Factors - Overall impact and potential for success

Value Proposition for Innovators

Global Platform

Showcase your solution to a worldwide audience of investors, mentors, corporates, and government stakeholders.

Expert Mentorship

Receive intensive guidance from renowned public and private sector experts and mentors throughout the process.

Strategic Partnerships

Gain access to a network of corporates and strategic partners for potential collaboration and growth opportunities.

Investor Access

Meet and pitch directly to various investors actively seeking innovative digital solutions.

Global Recognition

Get featured in the official G20-DIA eBook and gain international recognition for your innovation.

Award Opportunities

Compete for prestigious recognition as one of the top three innovations in your category.

Eligibility Requirements

Startup Criteria

  • Your startup must have launched the product in the market and have initial traction
  • Startup should not be more than 10 years old
  • Must be headquartered in your home country
  • Will be evaluated based on innovation and product criteria outlined above

Who Should Apply

  • Students from colleges or schools with innovative digital solutions
  • Entrepreneurs and working professionals developing cutting-edge technologies
  • Faculty and researchers with market-ready innovations
  • Aspiring startup founders with viable digital solutions

Summit Highlights

Digital Innovation Showcase Pavilion

Dedicated space for startups to demonstrate their solutions to attendees

Global Speakers Program

Industry leaders, unicorns, governments, and corporates sharing insights and expertise

Investor Engagement

Direct access to investors through dedicated pitching sessions and networking opportunities

Networking Events

Exclusive dinners and networking opportunities with key stakeholders from across the global innovation ecosystem

Awards Recognition

Prestigious ceremony recognizing the top three digital innovations in each category

Dedicated Platform & App

Specialized technology platform to maximize engagement and connections during the event

The Selection Process

Each participating G20 country and invited guest nation will:

  • Identify relevant problem statements across the six priority themes
  • Establish their own jury and selection criteria
  • Conduct outreach events, thematic sessions, workshops, and expert panels
  • Select their top six innovations (one for each theme)
  • Nominate key stakeholders from their innovation ecosystem to accompany the startups

Selected startups will pitch their solutions to a diversified jury committee comprising academia, corporates, mentors, ministries, and investors recognized under each theme.

Apply Now

Ready to showcase your innovation on the global stage? Join startups from around the world in addressing humanity's most pressing challenges through digital innovation.

Important Links:

Follow the Journey: #G20SouthAfrica | #ReKaofela

The G20 Digital Innovation Alliance represents a unique opportunity to connect with the global innovation ecosystem, showcase your solution to key stakeholders, and contribute to meaningful global economic growth while addressing the digital divide.

QR Code