FAQ

The Global Maker Challenge is one of two programmes facilitated through the Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity. The Initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai, for his commitment in transforming the United Arab Emirates.

The Global Maker Challenge invites innovative start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to submit solutions to solve real-world problems. The Challenge is vertically divided into four themes, Sustainable and Healthy Food for All, Innovation for Inclusive Trade, Innovation for Peace and Justice and Climate Change. Applicants are invited to enter their solutions to the challenges through an easy online application process. The four Challenge Winners will gain valuable recognition, global exposure, and mentorship if successful.

The ten UN entities that have partnered with the Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity are:

• the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
• the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
• the World Food Programme (WFP)
• the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
• the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

These organisations have developed four themes surrounding major challenges faced by the least developed and developing countries. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Solve is working with the Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity to bring together problem-solvers and innovators to work with stakeholders and technical experts to design and manage each challenge.

• The Global Maker Challenge was launched on 2 November, 2019, at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries in Abu Dhabi.
• Submission Deadline on 31 January 2020.
• All submissions will be reviewed by expert judges throughout February - April 2020.
• The date for the pitch event is to be confirmed soon.
• Senior representatives from the shortlisted submissions will be invited to a pitch session.
• The final winners will be announced in alignment with the pitch event.

Applications to the Global Maker Challenge is open to all business model stages. It is open to any start-up, innovator or business that has a proof of concept and prototype for a viable, technically feasible and desirable solution that promises a strong impact on the identified challenge. Please click here for the four challenges.

No, applications to the Global Maker Challenge are entirely free of charge.

Yes, you may submit separate applications for each of the four themes.

Each of the four Challenge Winners can win prizes to the value of up to US$250,000, including cash prizes, mentorship.

The Global Maker Challenge winners will be announced at a pitch event. The date of which is to be confirmed due to the growing concern of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak globally.

Applications will be reviewed by expert judges drawn from our community of world leading manufacturers, innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs, governments and NGOs, technologists and philanthropists.

The Intellectual Property (IP) will remain exclusively with the owner.

All submissions will be open and the project descriptions published on the MBR website, however part of your application remains confidential. Should you feel that some information is too sensitive to share we advise you to contact us via email here.

Please email us at info@makingprosperity.com

The Global Maker Challenge is one of two programmes facilitated through the Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity which is an initiative of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS).

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) is a joint initiative by the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). GMIS is the world’s first cross-industry platform designed to create a universal consensus by unifying governments, businesses, and civil society to take a transformational approach towards shaping the future of manufacturing. It aims to promote a roadmap for future development to echo the evolution in international trade and global best practices.

Please click here to view our T&Cs.

Solutions will be reviewed by our experts and judges using the following criteria:

• Alignment: The solution addresses the challenge that has been set forth.
• Potential for Impact: The planned implementation of the solution has the potential to impact lives.
• Feasibility: It is feasible to implement the solution, and the team has a plan for the solution to sustain itself financially.
• Scalability: The solution can be grown and scaled to affect the lives of more people.
• Innovative Approach: This is a new technology, a new application of a technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the challenge.

No. All flight and accommodation costs if any for shortlisted companies participating in the pitching session as well as finalists for the award ceremony will be covered by the MBR Initiative for Global Prosperity.

The Global Maker Challenge is a collaborative competition for start-ups and entrepreneurs to solve real-world problems through innovation. In this context, ‘making’ refers to the things our world needs through modern, sustainable manufacturing and industrialisation.