Non-Profit Award

Are you a Muslim organization solving one of the world’s greatest challenges?
The Continuum Spark Awards encourages Muslim founders to pitch their project and receive cash support of $25,000 USD with an additional $100,000 USD of in-kind design and consulting services.



Applications close on July 31st 2024

Award Format

  • Regional Winner

    Applications are grouped into three global regions: (1) Americas + Europe, (2) Africa + the GCC, and (3) Asia Pacific. Three finalists from each category (For-Profit and Non-Profit) per region will be chosen. These finalists will be invited to an all-expenses-paid regional GMWx event (e.g., GMWx San Francisco) to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. The panel will select one regional winner.

  • Global Winner

    Regional winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the GMW Summit in Doha to pitch their idea for The Continuum Spark award on the main stage. The GMW Summit in Doha is a hub for founders, innovators, and brilliant minds across the ummah, and offers a chance to meet your global counterparts. Similar to the regional competition, a panel of judges will select one winner to receive a cash investment of $25,000 USD and an additional $100,000 USD of in-kind services from Collective Continuum.*

Award Format

  • Regional Winner

    Applications are grouped into three global regions: (1) Americas + Europe, (2) Africa + the GCC, and (3) Asia Pacific. Three finalists from each category (For-Profit and Non-Profit) per region will be chosen. These finalists will be invited to an all-expenses-paid regional GMWx event (e.g., GMWx San Francisco) to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. The panel will select one regional winner.

  • Global Winner

    Regional winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the GMW Summit in Doha to pitch their idea for The Continuum Spark award on the main stage. The GMW Summit in Doha is a hub for founders, innovators, and brilliant minds across the ummah, and offers a chance to meet your global counterparts. Similar to the regional competition, a panel of judges will select one winner to receive a cash investment of $25,000 USD and an additional $100,000 USD of in-kind services from Collective Continuum.*

Criteria

Collective Continuum’s Spark Award is searching for organizations solving world changing problems.

Transformative Solutions

Ideas worth supporting are ones that will have a disproportionate impact on the world. Why is right now the right time for your idea to be brought forward? We are excited to see details on how you’ve clarified the problem you are trying to solve and how many people this problem impacts or has the potential to impact. It would be a bonus to see the impact you’ve already made. You’re not service providers. You are disrupting the pipeline and rethinking the fundamentals of how we deliver on the world’s needs.

Team Chemistry

In the private sector, we know that within 10 years, 90% of startups will fail. Working in the non-profit sector can introduce even more challenges. Healthy founder and team dynamics are key to developing an environment for sustainable success. Tell us about your team and why you’re the team to make this product succeed. Do you, as a leader, show passion, vision, and commitment? Does your team have the necessary skills and experience to bring your vision to life? We want to see leadership and teamwork that reflect these core values. 

Uniqueness

Originality is rewarded. Novel uses of technology are welcome. We prioritize organizations that take new approaches to old problems, or propose completely unique pathways for business driven solutions to social challenges. We’re excited to see ideas that break from traditional schemes and propose new paradigms, creating value, enhancing the position of communities and humanity as a whole. 


Aligned with Islamic Values

Let’s be clear – your product doesn’t have to be exclusively for Muslims. We’re more interested in the principles used in the development, than a specific identity. As a Muslim founder or organization, you can tackle any world challenge, bringing the unique perspective Islam gives you to solving it. The values are Islamic. The problem you solve using these values is up to you. 

Apply

The Continuum Spark Award is open for applications in the Non-Profit Category.

To start your journey, simply complete the form opposite and check your inbox for the next steps in completing your application.

  1. Please ensure you select the correct region when applying. This is where your organisation is located.

  2. Please ensure you are applying as a NON-PROFIT organisation on this page. If you’re a FOR-PROFIT startup, please click here.

  3. Applications close on the 31st of July 2024.

  4. There are weekly webinars between the 6th June and the closing date for applications. We strongly recommend you attend some of these to help your application.

  5. For any questions about the award or application form email spark@gmw.network

FAQ’s

  • The Continuum Spark Award is funded by Collective Continuum and will be presented at events hosted by the GMW Network.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The GMW Summit is the flagship event of the GMW Network with seminars, workshops and great networking opportunities to grow your idea.

  • 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.

 



  • The winners of The Continuum Spark Awards 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • We are considering a number of potential categories and are looking for ideas that are creative, disruptive, and viable. Successful ideas will demonstrate a clear product roadmap, a financial return strategy, and a solid founding team. Your product does not have to be exclusively for Muslim consumers.

  • 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.