$1,000,000 USD in Prizes
In 2022, for our 6th annual Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge, we are offering a prize pool of $1 million USD, spread across 15 different awards. These prizes are intended to recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from early-stage entrepreneurs around the world. For full eligibility requirements, please refer to the Rules. To apply you must submit your application by February 11, 2022 at 5pm PT.
Prizes
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$250,000 USD Grand Prize
A single team will be designated the grand prize winner.
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$75,000 USD Regional First Runners-Up
Three teams from Americas, EMEA and APJC will be designated the regional first runners-up and will receive $75,000 USD each.
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$50,000 USD Second Runners-Up
Three teams will be designated the second runners-up and will receive $50,000 USD each.
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$10,000 USD People's Choice
The finalist entry that receives the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award.
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$15,000 USD Cisco Employees' Choice
The finalist entry that receives the most votes will receive the Cisco Employees' Choice Award.
For 2022, in addition to the general prizes above we are offering $350,000 USD in special prizes to support important solutions and focus areas. Additional detail regarding these special prizes is provided below. To be considered for one of these prizes, complete the prize-specific question(s) within the application and ensure you submit your solution by February 11, 2022 at 5pm PT. Note that these Special 2022 Prizes are offered in addition to the general prizes listed above, and winning one of these Special 2022 Prizes does not preclude winning any of the other prizes.
Special Prizes
$100,000 USD Climate Impact & Regeneration Prize
A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.
$50,000 USD Climate Impact & Regeneration Prize Runners-Up
Four teams will be designated as the winners of this prize.
$50,000 USD HBCU Startup Prize
A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.
Climate Impact & Regeneration Prizes
The Climate Impact & Regeneration Prize will be awarded to a startup using technology to assist in any of the following:
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) drawdown and sequestration, or other innovations to stop the increase — or even reverse — GHG concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere
- Regenerative agriculture – moving large numbers of farmers towards restorative and regenerative agriculture
- Ecosystem resilience and regeneration – especially where this is accomplished in collaboration with Indigenous communities and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge.
Projects which combine any of the above in innovative ways will receive highest consideration. The winner of the Climate Impact & Regeneration Prize will be awarded $100,000 USD, and four runners-up will be awarded $50,000 USD each.
HBCU Startup Prize
Cisco’s Social Justice Beliefs and Actions framework commits to the strategic recovery, sustainability and legacy of America's historically Black colleges and universities, post-COVID and beyond. We believe in the importance of investing in African American/Black-owned startups. The HBCU Startup Prize will be awarded to a team with at least one founder who is a student or alumni of an HBCU, with an innovative technology solution that addresses a social or environmental problem. The winner of the HBCU Startup Prize will be awarded $50,000 USD to accelerate their solution.