The Moonshots for Development (M4D) Open Innovation Challenge is officially accepting applications from growth-stage enterprises seeking to address critical development challenges using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or geospatial analysis. With $1 million in grants available, the challenge targets solutions that enhance resilience, support smallholder farmers, and improve livelihoods across vulnerable rural communities worldwide. Challenge Focus Areas Applicants are invited to develop innovative solutions in the following thematic areas: Insurance Solutions for Resilient Food Systems – Developing mechanisms to protect smallholder farmers against climate, economic, and environmental shocks, ensuring stable food production and security. Reducing the Drivers of Fragility – Tackling factors that exacerbate conflict, instability, and socio-economic vulnerability in rural communities. Digital Extension for Accountable Service Delivery – Leveraging technology to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in agricultural services and rural governance. Agroecology for Productive, Climate-Resilient Systems – Promoting sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices that increase productivity while preserving ecosystems. About the Challenge Rural communities worldwide are facing mounting pressures from climate change, systemic fragility, and economic uncertainty. The M4D Open Innovation Challenge aims to identify bold, practical, and scalable solutions that can strengthen resilience and empower smallholder farmers. The initiative targets enterprises capable of moving beyond pilots to achieve large-scale, measurable impact. How M4D Supports Innovators The Moonshots for Development initiative enhances the innovation ecosystem through: Shared Innovation Platform: Identifying, testing, and scaling breakthrough solutions that address key rural development challenges such as food security, climate resilience, and financial inclusion. Partnerships for Impact: Bridging innovators with implementation partners, enabling technologies and solutions to reach scale efficiently. Collaborative Financing and Resources: Pooling expertise, funding, and institutional support to avoid duplication, optimize resources, and accelerate impact. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Promoting cross-sector learning, replication of best practices, and adoption of successful innovations across regions. Mission M4D collaborates with partners to co-finance, launch, and scale bold yet feasible innovations that tackle global development challenges. By focusing on AI and geospatial technologies, the initiative empowers entrepreneurs to design solutions that are both technically sophisticated and socially impactful, targeting real-world problems in rural landscapes. Who Should Apply The challenge targets growth-stage enterprises with proven solutions or pilots that can be scaled. Eligible applicants should demonstrate: Innovative Use of AI or Geospatial Tools – Technology applied to practical challenges in rural development. Scalability and Impact Potential – Solutions that can expand beyond pilot phases to reach larger populations. Alignment with Thematic Areas – Addressing one or more of the four challenge themes effectively. Key Benefits Successful applicants can expect: Access to grant funding totaling $1 million Opportunities for partnerships with development agencies, investors, and implementation partners Support for scaling technology and operations to achieve measurable impact Participation in a global innovation network, facilitating learning, collaboration, and exposure Application Process For full details on eligibility, application guidelines, and deadlines, visit the official M4D portal at IFAD Square. Applications should include: Description of the solution and its innovative use of AI/geospatial analysis Evidence of pilot results or initial impact Scalability plan and potential for measurable outcomes Team and organizational capacity to implement at scale Deadline Interested enterprises are encouraged to apply early to secure consideration for the funding and mentorship opportunities provided by M4D. LEARN MORE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this funding opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.