Tech4Democracy Global Entrepreneurs Challenge

The Silicon Valley Venture Day, co-hosted by IE University and Stanford’s Global Digital Policy Incubator on November 29, 2022 at Stanford University, is part of the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge and the year of action following the U.S. Summit for Democracy.  

The Global Entrepreneurship Challenge is an IE University initiative comprised of five regional venture day competitions taking place in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and South America. The venture day competitions will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to build upon and contribute to the global effort to advance technology for democracy. The winner of the Silicon Valley competition will receive a $1,000 prize. Regional winners will then compete for a monetary prize in a final global competition.

The November 29 event at Stanford is open to North American innovators, startups, and not-for-profit organizations working to develop democracy-affirming technologies. Selected entrepreneurs from Canada, Central America, Mexico, and the United States will present their innovations and compete before judges and a live audience. The benefits of participation and selection criteria can be found here.  Applications are due November 1^st.  

Suggested areas of innovation:  

• Data for Good Governance: Technologies that allow for better data collection, processing, and visualization, to inform policy-making and decision-making processes in a way that is respectful of privacy and individual rights.  
• Responsible AI and Machine Learning: Automated decision-making systems that provide equal opportunity, do not discriminate, and are fair, explainable, auditable, ethical, and accurate.  
• Tools to Fight Disinformation: Technologies that support fact-checking efforts, identify bot activity or work on social data to promote accurate information on key matters, including electoral processes.  
• Tools to Fight Polarization: Technologies that seek to diminish polarization by promoting thoughtful and mutually respectful engagement across deep social and political divides.  
• Digital Identity and Trust: Transparency technologies and identity recognition or protection technologies that ensure inclusive access to digital public services and protection of sensible data.  
• Transparent and Inclusive Government Data: Technologies that promote accountability and inclusive services and foster economic growth through the provision of data, services, and resources that startups, scaleups, and SMEs can leverage to generate business.  
• Tools for Civil Society: Innovations that expand civic space, freedom of association and freedom of speech, combat surveillance on dissidents, and facilitate advocacy and engagement on national internet regulations and international digital policy.  
• Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: Innovations that protect data, minimize personal data use, maximize data security, and empower individuals.  
• Web3: Technologies that reinforce democratic values through decentralization.