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GSMA Mobile For Development Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$24.6M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.3M
Decision Time
12mo
Success Rate
3%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $24.6 million (2022)
  • Success Rate: 2-5%
  • Decision Time: 11-12 months
  • Grant Range: £100,000 - £250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) - Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Pacific regions

Contact Details

Address: 165 Ottley Dr NE 230, Atlanta, Georgia 30324-4046

Phone: +1 678-281-6600

Email: info@gsma.com

Website: https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment

Grant Program Contact: innovationfund@gsma.com or GSMAIF@gsma.com (expect response within 2-3 working days)

Events & Speakers: m4devents@gsma.com

Overview

The GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation Inc. (EIN 37-1552838) was established in May 2008 as a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization to demonstrate the positive social, economic, and climate impact of mobile technology in low- and middle-income countries. With total assets of $8.8 million and annual income of $24.6 million (as of March 2022), the Foundation primarily operates the GSMA Innovation Fund, which has funded over 100 companies since 2013 across sectors including agriculture, climate resilience, digital inclusion, humanitarian innovation, and urban services. The Foundation is led by Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, Head of Mobile for Development, who oversees a team of 130+ experts working at the intersection of the mobile ecosystem and the development sector. Primary funding comes from UK International Development (FCDO), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the GSMA and its members, with additional support from donors like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The GSMA Innovation Fund operates multiple thematic funding rounds:

  • Innovation Fund for Impactful AI (launched 2025): £100,000 - £250,000 for enterprises using AI and emerging technologies to address global challenges in LMICs. Funded by UK FCDO.

  • Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation 2.0: £100,000 - £250,000 for digital solutions helping communities adapt to climate shocks. Multiple cohorts awarded (12 grantees in 2024).

  • Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption and Digital Inclusion (launched April 2020): Addresses barriers preventing 3.4 billion people from adopting mobile internet services. Funded by UK FCDO, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), GSMA and its members.

  • Innovation Fund for Digitisation of Agricultural Value Chains: Scales digital solutions for agricultural last mile to improve smallholders' financial inclusion, livelihood, and climate resilience.

  • Innovation Fund for Digital Urban Services: Scales digital solutions providing essential urban services to underserved populations in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

  • Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges (launched 2024): Supports enterprises addressing humanitarian needs (10 grantees selected from 400+ applications).

  • Innovation Fund for Accelerated Growth (launched 2024): Seven start-ups received £700,000 total for 10-month projects.

Typical Grant Structure:

  • Grant amount: £100,000 - £250,000 (equity-free)
  • Project duration: 15-18 months
  • Disbursement: Milestone-based payments
  • Application method: Rolling funding rounds (specific deadlines published per round)

Priority Areas

  • Digital inclusion - Expanding mobile internet adoption for underserved populations
  • Climate resilience and adaptation - Solutions helping communities anticipate, adapt to, and absorb climate shocks
  • Agricultural innovation - Digitizing agricultural value chains to support smallholder farmers
  • Humanitarian technology - Mobile solutions addressing displacement, health emergencies, and crisis response
  • Urban services - Digital solutions for essential services (water, energy, sanitation, waste management) in underserved urban areas
  • AI for social good - Impactful AI innovations designed for and by LMIC communities
  • Financial inclusion - Mobile money and digital financial services for marginalized populations
  • Women's economic empowerment - Affordable access to internet-enabled handsets as productive assets for low-income women

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations headquartered in heavily sanctioned countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria)
  • Charitable organizations, non-profit organizations, or entities not registered as private sector companies (these cannot be Lead Applicants)
  • Applicants with active GSMA grants (must complete current grant before reapplying)
  • Consortium applications (only single organization applications accepted)
  • Projects solely focused on climate mitigation (reducing emissions) without adaptation components
  • Early warning systems for extreme weather events (specific exclusion for Climate Fund)
  • Costs without direct link to proposed project
  • Projects requiring matching funding from UK FCDO or Sida sources

Governance and Leadership

Head of Mobile for Development: Max Cuvellier Giacomelli leads the Mobile for Development team of 130+ experts. He emphasizes: "Mobile connectivity can be a very powerful equaliser. It is a true force multiplier: when paired with the right solutions, it expands access to critical services, strengthens local economies, and accelerates social impact at scale."

GSMA Foundation Board: The GSMA Foundation Board oversees strategic direction. Recent appointments (2024-2025) include Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo. Vivek Badrinath, GSMA's incoming Director General, joined the Foundation Board in April 2025.

Program Management: The Innovation Fund team manages multiple thematic funds and provides technical assistance through specialized sector experts.

Funding Partners: Primary donors include UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

On the Impactful AI Fund, Max Cuvellier Giacomelli stated: "AI and emerging technologies have immense potential to tackle global challenges, but much of their development has focused on advanced markets, leaving a gap in the solutions designed for and by communities in LMICs. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI seeks to change this by empowering enterprises in these regions to harness AI for transformative, inclusive, and sustainable development where it is needed most."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the GSMA's dedicated grant management platform. The process includes:

  1. Pre-Application: Register on the grant management platform and complete an eligibility check before starting your application. Only applications submitted on this platform are accepted.

  2. Webinars: The GSMA organizes online webinars for each funding round providing detailed information and answering anonymized questions. Dates published on their website.

  3. Application Stages:

    • Pitch Stage (5-7 weeks): Submit initial application via platform
    • Shortlisting (7-8 weeks): GSMA team reviews and shortlists for proposal stage (roughly 30 selected from 300-600 applications)
    • Proposal Stage: Shortlisted applicants develop full proposals
    • Recommendation Panel: Panel comprised of GSMA, funding donors, and independent experts assesses proposals. Applicants virtually pitch to this panel (approximately 10-15 selected from 30)
    • Due Diligence: GSMA conducts in-person due diligence visits to verify projects and understand nuances
    • Selection Panel: Final panel reviews due diligence evidence and approves grantees

  4. Support Available: Contact innovationfund@gsma.com or GSMAIF@gsma.com with questions not covered in FAQs or webinars (2-3 day response time).

Decision Timeline

Total Process: 11-12 months from initial application to final selection

Stage Breakdown:

  • Pitch stage: 5-7 weeks for submission
  • Shortlisting: 7-8 weeks
  • Proposal development and panel presentations: Several months
  • Due diligence: In-person visits conducted
  • Final selection: Following completion of due diligence

Notification: Feedback is not provided to applicants unsuccessful at the initial pitch stage due to high volume. Applicants unsuccessful after submitting full proposals receive feedback.

Success Rates

The GSMA Innovation Fund is highly competitive:

  • Average applications per round: 300-600
  • Shortlisted to proposal stage: ~30 applicants (~5-10%)
  • Final grantees selected: 10-15 per round (~2-5% overall success rate)

Specific Examples:

  • Innovation Fund for Impactful AI: 625 applications from 40 countries; initial cohort of 4 announced
  • Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges: 413 applications; 10 selected (2.4% success rate)
  • Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption: 598 applications from 44 countries; 8 selected (1.3% success rate)
  • Innovation Fund for Digital Urban Services: 335 applications from 43 countries; 9 selected (2.7% success rate)

Reapplication Policy

For Unsuccessful Applicants: No explicit waiting period mentioned for applicants unsuccessful at pitch stage. Reapplication to future funding rounds appears permitted.

For Previous Grantees: Organizations that have successfully completed a GSMA grant are eligible to reapply. However:

  • Preference given to applicants who have not received prior UK Aid or Sida funding through GSMA
  • Previous grantees must strongly demonstrate the additionality of new grant funding
  • Must explain why additional funding will achieve something the original grant could not, or how the new project will contribute to new industry insights
  • Organizations with active GSMA grants are not eligible to apply until completion

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from GSMA

Clarity and Truthfulness: "Competitive applications are ones that are clear (for example, do not overwhelmingly use technical jargon) and truthful (for example, do not state incorrect information, since this will be discovered during the in-person due diligence assessment)."

Language Alignment: "Follow the instructions and use the language of the donor to describe your work, as there's an opportunity to authentically look at your work through a new, humanitarian lens."

Be Realistic with Requests: "Applicants should be realistic and honest with grant requests as you will have to demonstrate how you will spend the money efficiently."

Insights from Grantees

Think About Sustainability Early: "Partnerships and handovers to local organisations is important, especially for local ownership and ensuring the project can carry on if no more funding is secured, which ensures project sustainability and safeguards long-term project impacts."

Diversify Funding Sources: "Multiple sources of funding are important if you are to remain sustainable, and it is wise not to be fully dependent on GSMA so your department won't crumble when the funding ends."

Partner with Mobile Operators: "Partnering with a mobile operator is mutually beneficial." The Fund aims to support enterprises willing to work with mobile network operators, and applications with existing mobile operator partnerships are welcomed.

Value Beyond Funding: "The Innovation Fund offers more than just financial support" - grantees receive bespoke technical assistance, partnership facilitation, networking opportunities, capacity building through regional bootcamps, access to global industry events like Mobile World Congress (MWC), and support building partnerships with operators and investors.

Recent Successful Projects

Kola Market Inc. (Ghana) - Innovation Fund for Impactful AI: AI-driven sales acceleration and inventory optimization for MSMEs via mobile-first platform accessible through WhatsApp, SMS, and voice.

CIS - AquaCare (Pakistan) - Humanitarian Challenges Fund: IoT-based water filtration and bacterial testing units in vulnerable, flood-prone regions.

ConnectHear (Pakistan) - Humanitarian Challenges Fund: AI technology for at-risk individuals with hearing impairments in humanitarian contexts.

Drop Access (Kenya) - Humanitarian Challenges Fund: Affordable cold chain solutions scaling VacciBox in humanitarian settlements in Turkana county.

Africa 118 (Ethiopia) - Accelerated Growth Fund: Digital job tech platform providing skills matching services.

Key Eligibility Requirements

  • Entity type: Must be small/growing enterprise (up to 250 employees) registered and operating as private sector company in implementation country
  • Commercial viability: Majority of income from commercial activities or clear path to sustainability via revenue-generating activities
  • Traction: Must have active users and commercial revenue in at least one eligible country
  • Matching funding: Commit 25-50% matching depending on grant amount requested (cannot be from UK FCDO or Sida sources)
  • Geographic eligibility: Projects implemented in Official Development Assistance-eligible countries
  • No active GSMA grants: Cannot have current active grant with GSMA

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Extremely competitive: With 2-5% success rates, applications must be exceptional. The Innovation Fund has unlocked over £700 million in follow-on funding for its portfolio companies, demonstrating strong validation.

  • Use donor language: Frame your work using the specific terminology and focus areas of the relevant funding round (climate adaptation, digital inclusion, humanitarian innovation, etc.).

  • Be truthful and clear: Avoid jargon and never overstate capabilities - in-person due diligence will verify all claims. Failed verification leads to disqualification.

  • Demonstrate commercial sustainability: Show clear path to revenue generation beyond grant funding. The Fund seeks commercially viable models, not charity-dependent projects.

  • Mobile operator partnerships are valued: Applications with existing or planned partnerships with mobile network operators are viewed favorably. Highlight any telco relationships.

  • Plan for 11-12 month process: Budget time accordingly and maintain organizational stability throughout the long application period.

  • Matching funding is required: Secure 25-50% matching contribution before applying (cannot be from UK FCDO or Sida sources).

  • Leverage full support ecosystem: Beyond funding, successful applicants gain access to technical assistance, bootcamps, partnership facilitation, and global events - emphasize how you'll use these resources.

  • Only single organization applications: Cannot apply as consortium - one organization becomes the grantee and must demonstrate individual capacity.

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - GSMA Mobile For Development Foundation Inc. (EIN 37-1552838): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/371552838 (Accessed January 2026)

  2. GSMA Innovation Fund main page: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/gsma-innovation-fund/ (Accessed January 2026)

  3. GSMA Innovation Fund FAQs: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/gsma-innovation-fund/frequently-asked-questions/ (Accessed January 2026)

  4. "Top tips for GSMA Innovation Fund applicants" - GSMA Mobile for Development blog: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/blog/top-tips-for-gsma-innovation-fund-applicants/ (Accessed January 2026)

  5. "Announcing the GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI grantees" - GSMA Mobile for Development: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/blog/announcing-the-gsma-innovation-fund-for-impactful-ai-grantees/ (Accessed January 2026)

  6. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant Records for GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2022/06/inv042532 (Accessed January 2026)

  7. GSMA Press Release: "Empowering AI Innovations to Transform Lives: GSMA Launches New Innovation Fund for Startups": https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/empowering-ai-innovations-to-transform-lives-gsma-launches-new-innovation-fund-for-startups/ (Accessed January 2026)

  8. GSMA Mobile for Development - Contact Us: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/contact-us/ (Accessed January 2026)

  9. "Introducing the grantees of the GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges": https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/blog/introducing-the-grantees-of-the-gsma-innovation-fund-for-humanitarian-challenges/ (Accessed January 2026)

  10. "Announcing the GSMA Innovation Fund for Accelerated Growth Cohort": https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/blog/announcing-the-gsma-innovation-fund-for-accelerated-growth-cohort/ (Accessed January 2026)

  11. UK Government - GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation 2.0: https://www.gov.uk/international-development-funding/gsma-innovation-fund-for-climate-resilience-and-adaptation-2-dot-0 (Accessed January 2026)

  12. "From Connectivity to Opportunity: Inside GSMA's Mobile for Development Mission" - Mobile Industry Review: https://www.mobileindustryreview.com/from-connectivity-to-opportunity-inside-gsmas-mobile-for-development-mission/ (Accessed January 2026)

  13. Max Cuvellier Giacomelli profile - GSMA Mobile for Development: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/gsma_people/max-cuvellier-giacomelli/ (Accessed January 2026)

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