Calling Changemakers
Receive $100,000 to support your journey
Muslim founders, this is your call to action. The Continuum Spark Awards provide $100,000 to support startups and
non-profits solving the world’s most pressing issues. Our mission is to empower heart-centered changemakers to transform ideas into impactful realities serving humanity.
Applications close on July 31st 2024
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Collective Continuum is proud to announce an investment of $500,000 in 2024 to support the Spark Awards. We are equipping founders to succeed at the earliest stages of their projects, maximizing their growth, and contributing to the success of our global community.
The Spark Award is split into 2 categories
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NON-PROFIT AWARD
Is your organization solving one of the world’s greatest challenges? The Continuum Spark Awards (Non-Profit) encourages Muslim founders to pitch their project and receive cash support of up to $25,000 USD with an additional $100,000 USD of in-kind design and consulting services.* (see FAQ for details)
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FOR PROFIT AWARD
Is your startup solving one of the world’s greatest challenges? The Continuum Spark Awards (For-Profit) encourages Muslim founders to pitch their project and receive cash investment of at least $100,000 USD with an additional $25,000 USD of in-kind design and consulting services.*
Much more than just an award
Winning the Spark Award doesn’t just support you with money. It enters you into a community of like-hearted individuals that will support you on your journey for years to come. We have a shared purpose to achieve positive change. Here is how we support you:
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Capacity Building Resources
Astute founders understand that success demands more than investment; it requires market access, developer expertise, and compliance support. Collective Continuum offers capacity-building resources, including mentorship and access to specialized consultants from our global networks. Human and social capital are the hidden drivers of thriving ventures, and Collective Continuum provides access to both. Our team comprises founders who have advised, built, and exited multiple ventures exceeding $100M.
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A Network of Luminaries
Collective Continuum’s team comprises world-class Muslim founders, investors, professionals, and esteemed leaders in creativity and design, all dedicated to enhancing your product, refining your product-market fit, strengthening your team, and accelerating your venture’s progress. Winning a Spark Award will exponentially expand your access to the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Founder Upskilling
Finalists of the Spark Award will be invited to an all-expenses-paid, exclusive Continuum Founder Summit held in 2025. Over the course of five days, you will be immersed in growth strategies, gain access to investors, and learn the behind-the-scenes journey of successful Muslim founders such as Chris Blauvelt (LaunchGood), Mohammed Faris (Productive Muslim), and more.
About Collective Continuum
At Collective Continuum, we identify and support visionary founders driving positive change. We offer strategic investments, mentorship, and access to a global talent network to help scale impactful solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Pitch Labs
Sign up for our weekly webinar series to find out more about The Continuum Spark Awards and receive expert guidance on enhancing your submission.
Every Thursday at 8am ET
1pm UK | 4pm UAE | 8pm MY | 10pm SYD
Upon registration, kindly monitor your inbox (including spam/junk folders) for the webinar link.
FAQ’s
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The Continuum Spark Award is funded by Collective Continuum and will be presented at events hosted by the GMW Network.
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Complete the expression of interest form and you will be emailed a link to the full application form. The process involves submitting a detailed proposal outlining your project or initiative, along with any supporting documents and references.
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Collective Continuum wants to equip Muslim founders to succeed at the earliest stages of business building, to maximize their growth, and contribute to the success of our community. This can be achieved through financial investment and, more importantly, surrounding these founders with a community of like-hearted individuals and resources.
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The GMW Summit is the flagship event of the GMW Network with seminars, workshops and great networking opportunities to grow your idea.he GMW Summit is the flagship event of the GMW Network with seminars, workshops and great networking opportunities to grow your idea.
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For For-Profit applicants, Collective Continuum will invest up to $100,000 in a post-money SAFE in exchange for a future equity position in your company. This arrangement will include a valuation cap determined after the due diligence process by Collective Continuum. Each company will receive a specified valuation based on the stage of their business. This provision applies solely to entries selected as one of the three regional finalists, who will receive a term sheet in advance of the event. Agreeing to the term sheet will be a prerequisite for participation in the regional finals and subsequent stages.
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We’re ideally looking for projects that are between 1 and 10 years old and have demonstrated significant impact during that time. If your project is older than 10 years, we still encourage you to apply if you have shown innovative approaches to meeting needs.
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The winners of The Spark Award are selected through a rigorous evaluation process that involves a panel of expert judges with extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of venture investments, philanthropy, and technology. See the “Criteria” section for more detail on how your startup will be evaluated.
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In-kind services can include strategy, marketing, branding and other support to help your idea scale. Each startup will be evaluated to understand where it stands to benefit the most and suggested a list of appropriate services. These services will be provided by masterful experts including heart-centered design processes from Peter Gould, product and user experience advisory from Asif Baki (ex-Google Senior Product Lead) and technology and product advisory from Mohamad Vedut (exited AI-startup founder).
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Yes, The Spark Award is open to all organizations and individuals from around the world. It is not limited to any specific country or region.
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We are considering a number of potential categories and looking for ideas that are creative, disruptive and viable. Our natural disposition is that we are open to ideas as long as they are unique and are seeking to disrupt in a way that is viable, achieving scale and impact.
Successful ideas will demonstrate a clear product roadmap, financial return strategy and a solid founding team. Again, your product doesn’t have to be exclusively for Muslim consumers.
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As fortunate runners-up, you will have the opportunity to attend the GMW Summit, where you will be among like-hearted founders, innovators, and distinguished minds from across the ummah, providing a platform to engage with global counterparts. Additionally, runners-up not chosen for the grand prize may also be eligible for further investment and support.