The Continuum Spark Award

The Continuum Spark Award, hosted by the GMW Network is a $250k investment for ideas looking to improve the lives of people around the world and illuminating humanity through faith-based values.

The Final20

Congratulations to the following submissions who have made it to the Final20 of the Continuum Spark Award!

Vote for your favourite here

ARENA | Baraka Fund | Beneficent Relief | Deen Developers | HajjSafer | ImamAI | ImpactLens| Levelz | Mindflow Health | Najaa | New Beginnings | Qalboo | Rahma Health | Ruh | Seen on Screen | SUKUUK | Taahirah App | Tarjimly | Waqf Engine | ZAIYA

The Final50

Congratulations to the following submissions who have made it to the Final50 of the Continuum Spark Award!

Afterfund | ARENA | Baraka Fund | BarakaCash | Beneficent Relief | Boreal Light | Brown and Autistic | Deen Developers | DeenPlusDunya | Edufic | EDvantage | Empowering the Ummah | Fundtime | Gaia Invest | Golak Inc. | HajjSafer | I Sign Hijaiyyah | ImamAI | ImpactLens| IslamIsRational | LevelzManSheds | Migrants in Technology | Mindflow Health | Muhasaba | Muslim Fellowship | Najaa | NetZero | New Beginnings | NewStarters | Noor Meditation | Numoo | OpenCube | Paysabil | Qalboo | Rahma Health | Ruh | Savyn Tech | Seen on Screen | SUKUUK | Taahirah App | Tarjimly | Team Islam | Thabit | The Community Restaurant | Transform by IslamicFamily |Visitor | Waqf Engine | ZAIYA | Zubeda Welcome

What’s On Offer

The inaugural Continuum Spark Award is a groundbreaking global search to find solutions to today’s most pressing issues. Through the GMW Network, the global call for ideas will culminate in 7 finalists being flown and hosted at the GMW Doha event on the 12th of November 2023, to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. The winning idea will be awarded a $100,000 cash investment, with the top three ideas also receiving a further $50,000 worth of Brand development, Consulting and Mentoring to build and create an everlasting impact.

The Problem

People around the world are facing unprecedented challenges - from the displacement of populations, social inequality, the rise of ideologies, loss of intention, inner conflicts, economic crisis, to the loss of appreciation for creation; these are just some of the issues that are in need of our greatest attention

These challenges require our unwavering focus and concerted efforts to find innovative solutions that can make a meaningful impact at a human level.

“Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves” [al-Ra’d 13:11]

The Challenge

The Continuum Spark Award are searching for social impact startups that propose innovative ideas that can make a positive impact towards the lives of Muslims and beyond. These ideas should bring people closer to Allah SWT and enlighten them through the values of Islam.

We welcome a variety of solutions and creative ideas that aim to make a difference, whether they're focused on local, national, or global issues. These solutions should be tech-based, scalable, financially sustainable and have a significant social impact on their intended audience.

Social Impact

Your idea should have a significant social impact, aimed at improving the lives of Muslims and beyond. The initiative should be able to target social transformation and be disruptive in improving lives at a regional, national, multi-country, or global scale.

Inflexion point

Why now? Demonstrate why it is a critical time to act on this particular issue. It may be a long-running social issue or an emerging concern to humanity. Either way, the proposed idea should provide a viable solution to these concerns.

Ability to deliver

The organization or team are united with their goal to make a positive impact on society and have a plan to make it happen. The people in the group have the ability to work well with key stakeholders in the Continuum eco-system

GMW Doha

The top 7 finalists will be invited to the GMW Doha on the 12th of November 2023, where they will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts and experience the GMW Doha.

One representative from your organisation will be flown to Doha, offered 6 nights’ accommodation and ground transfers included courtesy of the GMW Network.

On the morning of the 17th of November, you will have 10 minutes to pitch your idea, followed by a Q&A from the panel. The winners of the award will be announced on the final afternoon of GMW Doha.

How The Award Helps You

Continuum has a deep commitment to social impact. Startups can align their mission and values with the funders, ensuring a shared purpose and commitment to creating positive change. Continuum’s aim is to enable high-performing, high-potential philanthropy missions to secure support to ‘nail & scale’.

1 . Patience capital

Continuum provides patience capital, prioritizing long-term support over short-term financial returns. This allows social impact startups to focus on their mission and impact, rather than being solely driven by financial metrics or immediate profitability.

4 . Capacity Building

Continuum understands that social impact startups often require additional support beyond funding. Continuum offers capacity-building resources, such as training programs, workshops, and access to specialized consultants, to enhance the skills and capabilities of startup teams.

2 . Access to Resources

Continuum has connections to a broader network, with access to a wide range of product development resources. These resources can help startups refine their product ideas, design prototypes, develop minimum viable products (MVPs), and test their products with potential users.

5 . Strategic Guidance

Continuum offers consulting and mentorship support to social impact startups, providing strategic guidance, industry expertise, and access to experienced professionals who can help startups refine their strategies, scale their impact, and navigate challenges effectively.

3 . Long-Term Partnership

Continuum establishes long-term partnerships with social impact startups. This continuity allows startups to receive ongoing support, guidance, and mentorship, contributing to their sustained growth and success.

6 . Scalability and Replication

Continuum supports startups in scaling their impact, sharing insights, strategies, and best practices that have worked in similar contexts, helping startups replicate successful models and expand their reach more efficiently.

How It Works

  • Start

    Express your interest in applying below


    Open Now

  • Apply

    Receive a link to submit a concise top-level application

    Closes - 20th August

  • Final 50

    Share a 5 minute video application about your project idea

    Deadline - 31st August

  • Final 20

    Invited to a 15 minute interview with industry leaders

    Conducted between 5th - 15th September

  • Final 7

    Pitch live at GMW Doha and be part of the $250k award fund

    Announced by 30th September

Crowdfund Your Next Idea

The Continuum Spark Award may have closed for this year, however, your idea could achieve its goals through other means, such as crowdfunding for example.

To get connected with a LaunchGood account manager and explore crowdfunding your idea, complete this short form and one of the LaunchGood team will be in touch.

FAQ’s

  • The Continuum Spark Award, hosted by the GMW Network is a $250k investment for ideas looking to improve the lives of people around the world and illuminating humanity through faith-based values.

  • The Continuum Spark Award is sponsored by The Collective Continuum in partnership with GMW Network

  • Complete the interest form at www.gmw.network/spark and you will emailed a link to complete the application form. The process involves submitting a detailed proposal outlining your project or initiative, along with any supporting documents and references.

  • The Spark Award aims to support startups that can make a difference in improving the lives of Muslims around the world and illuminate Humanity with the light of the Divine. This involves addressing the challenges faced by people around the world today, and working to bring about positive change through innovative and impactful solutions.

  • If you’re one of the final 7 chosen, you’ll be flown to Doha for 6 nights to pitch at the event. GMW Doha is the flagship event of the GMW Network with seminars, workshops and great networking opportunities to grow your idea.

  • 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 field of venture philanthropy. The applications will be assessed on their social impact, innovation, scalability, and potential for long-term sustainability.

  • In addition to the $100,000 cash investment for the winning idea, the top three ideas will also get $50,000 worth of Brand development and Consulting & Mentoring for 3 months to ‘nail & scale’ their social impact.

  • Yes, The Spark Award is open to 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 for change. We are looking for startups and ideas that can make a difference in improving the lives of Muslims and beyond around the world, to bring about positive change. 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 financially viable and achieves scale and depth.