The GSMA is a global organisation that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation that is foundational to positive business environments and societal change. The organisation represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 750 operators with almost 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries. The GSMA’s vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Operating at the intersection of the mobile ecosystem and the development sector, GSMA Mobile for Development drives innovation in digital technology to reduce inequalities worldwide. Through its research and insights platform, in-market expertise and community of partners, the organisation stimulates digital innovation and delivers both sustainable business and large-scale socio-economic impact. To date, GSMA Mobile for Development has reached 260 million people globally.
The GSMA Innovation Fund specifically addresses a critical funding and support gap needed to de-risk mobile-tech solutions for follow-on investment. Since 2013, the fund has supported over 100 companies to de-risk innovation across diverse sectors, including agriculture, climate resilience, e-commerce, education, energy, financial services, humanitarian challenges, sanitation, waste management, and water. The fund leverages the GSMA’s unique network within the broader mobile ecosystem to introduce and partner with selected organisations, providing a wide network of investors, mobile network operators, and technical partners to facilitate scale.
The organisation delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good (advancing positive policy outcomes and facilitating digital innovation to tackle societal challenges such as digital inclusion, climate change and sustainability), Industry Services and Solutions (underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work), and Outreach (providing the world’s largest platform for convening the mobile ecosystem through events like Mobile World Congress).
Funding Amount
- Core Grant Range: £100,000 to £250,000 (approximately $125,000 to $312,500 USD)
- GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI: Up to £250,000
- Climate Resilience and Adaptation: £100,000 to £250,000
- Mobile Internet Adoption: Approximately £150,000 per grantee (varies by round)
- Grant Duration: 15 to 18 months
Applicants must commit to providing 25% to 50% matching funding, depending on the total grant amount requested. Additionally, the fund operates according to the principle of additionality, meaning grants must not substitute or replace an organisation’s core funding or crowd out other funding sources
Target
- Start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises with up to 250 employees
- Post-revenue organisations demonstrating significant potential and ambition for growth
- Commercially viable organisations that have active users and commercial revenue in at least one eligible low- or middle-income market
- Early-stage companies must demonstrate a reliable path to sustainability via commercial activities that generate revenue
Focus Areas
- Digital technology solutions leveraging mobile and emerging technologies (especially AI)
- Climate resilience and adaptation innovations
- Mobile internet adoption and digital inclusion initiatives
- Digital urban services (energy, water, sanitation, plastics and solid waste management)
- Essential services delivery to underserved populations
- Solutions addressing global challenges in low- and middle-income countries
Eligibility Criteria
- Must demonstrate that a majority of income is derived from commercial activities
- Must be an entity registered and operating in the country of project implementation (domestic, foreign-owned or joint venture)
- Must be fully compliant with relevant business licensing, taxation, employee and other regulations
- Must have a bank account in the country where grant money will be received
- Only one organisation can apply for funding and become a grantee (consortium applications not permitted, though downstream partners are allowed)
Not Eligible:
- Mobile network operators (MNOs) – though partnerships with MNOs are encouraged
- Incubators and accelerators
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), charities and foundations that do not meet commercial activity thresholds (though they can be project partners)
- Governments and government-owned agencies, universities or academic organisations as direct applicants (though partnerships are encouraged)
Preference Given To:
- Organisations that have not received prior UK Aid or SIDA grant funding through the GSMA
- Female founders and applicants with good representation of women at all levels
- Local entrepreneurs with good representation of local talent
