ABOUT THE PEARS CHALLENGE
Innovation for Global Impact
The Pears Challenge enables experienced Israeli entrepreneurs to create successful impact tech ventures that meet critical needs in developing countries.
Graduating ventures have developed technologies that are impacting thousands of people worldwide and have raised over 20 million dollars in seed financing and contracts since the program launched in 2014.
The Pears Challenge is generously supported by the Pears Foundation.
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The Program
1. Selection
During the selection process, we identify 25 exceptional entrepreneurs who have what it takes to conceptualize and launch successful impact tech ventures.
We look for open-minded, impact-oriented and experienced individuals who are at a stage in life where they want to tackle a new challenge and launch a new start-up.
Ideal candidates have experience designing innovative tech solutions in hardware, software, or biotech and/or come with a specific technical background as scientists, engineers, agronomists, developers, product designers, etc.
We seek equal gender representation and diversity in our cohorts and encourage applications from people of different ages, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds.
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Past Challenges
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Pears Challenge V 2022
Resilient & Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems in Ghana
Pears Challenge IV 2019
Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Humanitarian Settings
Pears Challenge III 2017
Affordable Healthcare in India
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Pears Challenge II 2015
Smallholder Farmer Value Chains in Kenya
Pears Challenge I 2014
Accelerating Development Technology Startups
PC Alumni Ventures
The last five cohorts of the Pears Challenge have created over a dozen new companies that have worked with a wide range of international organizations, foundations, and local NGOs.
Pears Challenge ventures have raised over 22 million dollars in seed financing and contracts and piloted technologies in markets across three continents affecting the lives of individuals and communities in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Dominican Republique, Fiji, India and beyond.
Our ventures have secured funding from
Our ventures have partnered with
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Better Data for Greater Impact
Rural Senses has developed a solution using AI and empowering local data collectors to help development and humanitarian practitioners take data-driven decisions based on what communities really care about.
Bio pesticides made from African flora making a beneficial impact on the environment and local economic development.
FinTech platform providing monitoring and carbon monetizing services for growers and food industries, integrating remote-sensing technologies and agro-forestry algorithms
Marketplace for plumbers and water maintenance for rural communities.
Cellular-based marketplace for agricultural products of smallholder farmers.
Comprehensive solution to prevent post-harvest loss among smallholder farmers.
A smart waterless sanitation system to be implemented off-grid anywhere.
International trading platform making cold chain transport affordable.
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Design and R&D company specializing in solutions for people with disabilities.
Mobile platform that saves lives by delivering powerful behavioral Interventions for TB patients.
Handheld device that performs affordable blood tests wherever they are needed.
Hygiene Micro-Station for Better Access and Compliance to Handwashing.
AI solution and empowering local data collectors to help development and humanitarian practitioners take data-driven decisions.
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Connecting between Israeli Innovation & Global Development Challenges
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Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research
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