Entrepreneurs around the world now have a significant opportunity to bring bold climate solutions to life. The DPI for People and Planet Challenge offers top finalists a chance to win up to $100,000 in grant funding and pitch their ideas at COP30 in Brazil. But this is not just another competition. It’s a call to action aimed at transforming climate innovation through the power of Digital Public Infrastructure or DPI.
Launched through a global partnership that includes the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Co-Develop, the Gates Foundation, the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI), Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the COP30 presidency, this initiative is looking for ideas that can scale. It seeks climate solutions that not only address urgent environmental problems but are built on digital foundations that make them accessible, inclusive and effective for communities across the world, especially in the Global South.
The challenge is more than a moment of recognition. Finalists will gain access to a network of investors, funders and global partners ready to help them pilot and grow their ideas. In the months ahead, selected innovations could receive post-challenge support, strategic guidance and exposure at high-level international platforms, making this a valuable launchpad for long-term impact.
Why DPI Is the Next Frontier for Climate Innovation
DPI refers to foundational digital systems that help societies deliver essential services at scale. These systems include tools such as digital identification, payment platforms and open data layers, all designed to work together much like public roads or electricity grids but in the digital space. While these tools are already reshaping access to healthcare, finance and public services, they are now emerging as powerful enablers of climate resilience and low-carbon growth.
The need is clear. The latest IPCC report shows that more than 3.6 billion people are already exposed to climate risks. Solving these challenges requires systems that are fast, adaptable and fair. DPI meets this demand by offering a scalable way to deliver climate solutions to more people in less time and at lower cost.
There are already promising examples of DPI in action. In Brazil, digital land verification systems are supporting carbon credit markets. In India, digital transport stacks are enabling the shift toward cleaner mobility. DPI can also be used to monitor reforestation projects, track water quality in real time, connect farmers to sustainable supply chains or deliver early disaster warnings based on live location data. These examples show the wide potential of DPI-based innovation. However, many climate-tech solutions today still do not use these digital rails. The challenge aims to close that gap by encouraging innovators to rethink their models using DPI.
Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses at the Center
For entrepreneurs, startups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the DPI for People and Planet Challenge presents a strategic opportunity to access funding, visibility and global networks. The challenge is open to legally registered organizations across all sectors and regions, including early-stage ventures, nonprofits, academic institutions and research labs. The emphasis is on finding transformative solutions that are ready to scale or can be rapidly developed into prototypes.
Entrepreneurs working on digital energy systems, sustainable agriculture, green mobility and disaster resilience can use this platform to demonstrate how their models can function better when built on shared infrastructure. A farmer-led agri-tech platform, for example, could use digital payment rails to support climate-smart supply chains. A transport app could integrate with mobility data to help reduce carbon footprints. By adopting DPI, these solutions become easier to deploy, integrate with policy efforts and attract funding.
The challenge also values cross-sector innovation. This means ideas that combine climate finance, emissions tracking or public health monitoring with DPI are welcomed. The ultimate goal is to enable solutions that have lasting, system-wide impact.
The Road Ahead to COP30 and Beyond
The challenge is structured in phases, starting with an open application round, followed by a two-stage selection process. Finalists will develop and prototype their solutions and present them at COP30 in Brazil. But the journey doesn’t end there. Through its global partnerships, the initiative aims to support pilots, policy adoption and market growth for the best ideas.
The selection process will assess each entry based on the problem it aims to solve, the clarity and originality of the solution, its functionality and its feasibility. Applicants will also be evaluated on the strength and diversity of their teams. The challenge is especially focused on innovations that serve the Global South, where climate vulnerability is highest and where DPI has the most potential to drive change.
