About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The Trust by Design Fintech Challenge is open to organizations providing digital financial services or enabling technologies with solutions already live in-market. Applicants should have demonstrated traction and early evidence that their solution improves safety, transparency, or utilization in financial services. We are not looking for pilots or prototypes.
Eligible applicants may include (but are not limited to):
Fintech companies (including lenders and neobanks)
Financial institutions and microfinance institutions (MFIs)
Technology providers supporting financial services
Platforms embedding financial products such as payments, credit, insurance, or savings
Eligible applicants typically:
Offer digitally enabled financial services or embed financial functionality into part of their product or platform
Have solutions already in use by customers
Demonstrate measurable improvements in safety, transparency, or customer trust
Use gender-disaggregated data to inform product design, risk management, or customer protection
Serve women customers with evidence of active usage
Operate in at least one emerging market, or have credible plans to expand into one
“Credible plans” means the organization has a clear operational strategy, partnerships, licensing pathway, or active deployments demonstrating a realistic path to serving customers in LMICs contexts.
Strong applicants will use gender-disaggregated data to inform product design and customer protection.
One $50,000 Grand Prize will be awarded to support continued innovation in trust-centered fintech.
Three finalists will each receive $10,000 awards.
Each challenge winner will also receive a complimentary ticket to attend the Fintech for Inclusion Global Summit, 2026 in London U.K., plus airfare and hotel accommodation for their attendee. Winners will also be featured in an industry toolkit highlighting innovations in trust-building in fintech, serving as a lasting resource for the sector. There will also be opportunities for sector recognition and visibility among a global network of impact and commercial investors.
Our selection committee includes leaders from fintech, impact investment, responsible data, and consumer protection.
Watch this space for when we announce the full line up of judges soon.
How to apply