LIFT Initiative:
FinTech for Social Good

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Are you curious about how Fintech and Blockchain technology might have the capacity to improve lives all over the world by creating social impact in areas relating to financial inclusion, health, education, supply chain management, insurance, sustainable finance, and philanthropy?

The Lab for Inclusive FinTech (LIFT) “FinTech for Social Good” Initiative, powered by Big Ideas, supports students working on FinTech ideas to advance social change  — unlocking the potential of digital financial technologies to benefit underserved populations around the world. This initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support from both Binance Charity and Ripple Impact.

Students interested in applying for this award must complete the Letter of Intent (LOI), (using the “Apply Here” button below) by December 15, 2022, 1pm PTStudents from all disciplines and all levels are encouraged to apply!

Blockchain for Social Good
Past Winners

Madojo
Carbon Pricing DAO
NFT Inclusion Project
Sotira
2nd Wind

FinTech for Social Good

Eligibility & Program Details

ELIGIBILITY
Project lead must be a currently matriculated UC Berkeley student (graduate or undergraduate level.)
 
PROGRAM DETAILS
Pending a review of the LOIs, up to 6 students (or student teams) will be selected to participate in the final round and will be notified in mid-January. Each chosen finalist will receive a “LIFT Planning & Discovery Seed Award” of  $2,000. This award is intended to facilitate work on their ideas for innovations that incorporate FinTech for social good. 
 
Finalists will have access to all of the Big Ideas Contest final round application resources (workshops, advising, networking opportunities). They will also be paired with a professional mentor to assist in preparing their Big Ideas final round submission due April 5, 2023. The final round deliverables consist of an 8-page implementation plan, and a 90-second video “elevator pitch.”  
 
Based on a review of final round applications, up to 2 teams will be selected to receive “LIFT Implementation Awards” of $5,000.  Finalists will also have access to skill-building workshops and online resources, 1-1 mentorship, networking opportunities, and extensive feedback.
 
If you have additional questions, please contact bigideas@berkeley.edu