BiD Challenge: 

About the BiD Challenge

  • African Skin

    African Skin

The Business in Development (BiD) Challenge is a worldwide business plan competition. It offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop and execute business plans that improve living standards in developing countries at a profit. We believe this is a very direct way to reduce poverty; it generates jobs, income and spurs the local economy.

The BiD Challenge consists of one International Competition and 7 National Competitions in India, Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Argentina, Peru and Colombia.

What does the BiD Challenge have to offer?

Entrepreneurs:

  1. EXPOSURE. Make your plan visible in the BiD Network.
  2. PRIZE MONEY.
  3. Access to INVESTORS that can help finance your plan.
  4. PROFESSIONAL FEEDBACK and coaching as well as useful templates.

The BiD Challenge is open to entrepreneurs that want to start a new business or expand an existing business in a developing country.

Companies & NGOs:
The opportunity to share the competence and expertise network of your organisation with thousands of entrepreneurs in developing countries. Engage your employees, invest in SMEs and get a network, market insight and possible return on investment.

Professionals:
The opportunity to make a difference by sharing your business expertise with entrepreneurs as a coach, screener or jury member. Enjoy a wonderful experience, broaden your market insights and possibly get a stake in a change-making business.

Why did we start the Challenge?

The backbone of any economy is the private sector. Today almost everyone agrees that stimulating private sector growth is one of the keys to economic development and poverty reduction. Not only does the private sector generate jobs and income. It also spurs innovation and stimulates transfer of wealth, knowledge and skills.

In July 2003, the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan had two basic questions:

  1. How can the potential of the private sector and entrepreneurship be unleashed in developing countries?
  2. And how can the existing private sector be engaged in meeting that challenge?

Our challenge is not only to answer those questions, but to unleash the entrepreneurship itself.

The BiD Challenge was initiated by the NCDO in 2004. It is now one of the core activities of the BiD Network foundation.

Read about the 7 National BiD Challenge Competitions
Go to the BiD Challenge International page