Call for Proposals: AI for Financial Resilience by Mercy Corps Ventures

Around 1.4 billion individuals worldwide stay unbanked, primarily in growing areas and amongst ladies. Barriers corresponding to restricted entry to monetary companies, lack of identification, and digital literacy proceed to forestall thousands and thousands from becoming a member of the formal economic system. The AI for Financial Resilience initiative by Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) goals to vary this actuality by leveraging rising applied sciences to advertise inclusive finance and financial stability.

The Global Challenge

The monetary inclusion hole stems from a number of elements:

• Access & Usage Gaps: Limited entry to banking and credit score for rural and low-income populations.
• Lack of ID and Credit History: Absence of formal identification and consumer information restricts lending alternatives.
• Affordability Issues: High supply prices make monetary companies inaccessible for marginalized communities.
• Trust & Digital Literacy: Skepticism towards digital options and low digital literacy hinder adoption.
• Climate Vulnerability: Climate shocks corresponding to floods, droughts, and heatwaves push thousands and thousands deeper into poverty.

AI and Emerging Technologies for Financial Resilience

Emerging instruments corresponding to AI and blockchain have the ability to revolutionize how monetary companies attain underserved populations. When utilized responsibly, these applied sciences can create inclusive, user-friendly, and inexpensive monetary merchandise for unbanked and underbanked people worldwide.

As highlighted by MCV’s pilot associate Mercedes Bidart of Quipu at TED AI Vienna:

“When you say yes to people who have always been told no, you unlock dignity, growth, and opportunity.”

About the AI for Financial Resilience Initiative

Mercy Corps Ventures’ AI for Financial Resilience program helps revolutionary startups utilizing AI, blockchain, and rising applied sciences to shut monetary service gaps for unbanked, underbanked, and climate-vulnerable populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Core Objectives:

• Expand Financial Inclusion: Develop AI-driven options for insurance coverage, credit score, financial savings, and remittances.
• Strengthen Climate Resilience: Create monetary instruments that assist susceptible communities stand up to and get well from climate-related shocks.
• Generate Evidence and Learning: Build sector data to tell future investments and scale profitable options.

Who Should Apply

MCV invites startups and innovators growing AI-powered monetary options for rising markets. Eligible tasks could deal with:

• Financial literacy and digital training utilizing AI
• Access to microinsurance, financial savings, credit score, and emergency funds
• Blockchain-based remittance and financial savings instruments
• Primary Beneficiaries:
• Unbanked and underbanked people
• Low-income households
• Women and immigrants
• Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)

Geographic Focus:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Emerging markets in Asia
• Benefits for Selected Startups

Successful candidates will obtain:

• Financial Support: Equity-free grants of as much as $50,000 per startup on a milestone foundation
• In-kind Support: Mentorship, impression measurement advisory, entry to partnership networks, data change, and model publicity

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will probably be reviewed primarily based on:

• Impact First: How the proposal strengthens monetary resilience for unbanked communities.
• Innovation Edge: The originality and ecosystem worth of the proposed resolution.
• Sustainability: A transparent, scalable enterprise mannequin for long-term impression.
• Likelihood of Success: Technological readiness, associate capability, and feasibility throughout the pilot timeline.

Application Details

• Language: All functions have to be submitted in English
• Process: Rolling overview — early functions are inspired

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Apply right here: Application

For extra info: Mercy Corps Ventures

For extra alternatives: Opportunities for Youth

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