Eligibility

To apply: 

• Your venture must be at an early- or mid- stage. Late-stage ventures (over 6 years of operations and/or profitability) will not be eligible for selection in this challenge 

• You must be 18 or above at the time of submitting this application 

• If your solution has not been implemented at scale; you must have a clear business plan and a minimum-viable solution (prototype, pilot, or another proof of concept) 

• If your venture is not incorporated yet (as a non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid organization); you must be close to incorporation in the near future 

• Entries will only be accepted in English (winners will be expected to engage in activities that require English proficiency) 

• We are open to entries from the following 34 countries: 

  • Africa and Middle East: Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates. 

  • Americas and the Caribbean: Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, United States of America. 

  • Europe and Oceania: Armenia, Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, United Kingdom. 

  • South and East Asia: Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand , Vietnam. 

Additional terms: 

• Only one application per individual/venture will be accepted 

• Employees of HSBC, advertising agencies, promotion agencies and other service providers for this Challenge, their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, regardless of where they reside) are not eligible 

• Partners or past HSBC challenge winners or initiatives that are already financed or supported by HSBC, its affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures are not eligible