About this opportunity
Technology Pioneers is not a grant round and it does not take equity. It is a two year engagement in which a hundred companies bringing genuinely innovative technology or business models to market sit alongside the Forum's political, business and cultural leaders, addressing issues facing people and planet. In return, chief executives are expected to give at least 5 hours a quarter to the community and to attend at least one global event a year during their tenure.
The qualifying bar is concrete. The company must be less than 10 years old, independent and privately held, and it must have received Series A funding of at least 10 million US dollars. Beyond those three filters, the Forum looks for a technology or business model with the potential for substantial, long term positive impact on society or the planet. Start-ups founded in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa or anywhere else on the continent meet the same rules as everyone else, since the call is global with no regional quotas.
Applying is a single online form run by the Forum itself, and the Forum asks that the chief executive fills it in personally so motivations come through in their own words. The 2027 application window closes at midnight Pacific Time on 31 January 2027, so founders working in West Africa should plan around the time difference rather than the calendar date alone.
What you receive
- Membership of the Technology Pioneers community of 100 companies each year
- Two years of tailored engagement with the Forum's political, business and cultural leaders
- Invitations to global meetings, workshops and events hosted by the Forum, plus gatherings designed for Innovator Community members
- A platform to work with society's foremost political, business and cultural leaders on issues facing people and planet
Who can apply
- A start-up that is less than 10 years old
- Independent and privately held company status
- Series A funding received, with a minimum of 10 million US dollars
- A truly innovative technology or business model with potential for substantial long term positive impact on society or the planet
- Open worldwide, companies incorporated in Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa can apply on the same terms
- The Forum expects the chief executive to complete the application personally, devoting at least 5 hours a quarter to engagement and attending at least one global event a year during the two year tenure
Who should not apply
- Companies older than 10 years
- Companies that are not independent or not privately held
- Companies that have not received Series A funding of at least 10 million US dollars
Documents to prepare
- Company facts and figures on funding, age and ownership status, entered in the Forum's application form
- A description of the technology or business model and its potential positive impact on society or the planet, written by the chief executive
How to apply
- Check the three hard filters on the programme page at https://initiatives.weforum.org/technology-pioneers/home, company age under 10 years, independent private status, and Series A of at least 10 million US dollars
- Open the official 2027 application form at https://wefglobal.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xyEqATPtJCwdca
- Have the chief executive complete the form themselves, describing the innovation and its potential impact in their own words
- Submit before midnight Pacific Time on 31 January 2027, accounting for the time difference from West Africa
Selection process
- The Forum reviews every application against its stated criteria, innovation, funding, age and status
- Selected companies join the annual cohort of 100 Technology Pioneers and begin a two year engagement with the Forum
- Successful founders are expected to engage with the community throughout their tenure, including at least one global event each year
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Does Technology Pioneers give start-ups money?
No. The programme offers engagement, access and platform rather than a cheque, and it does not take equity either.
Is there any Africa specific quota or restriction?
No. The call is worldwide, and an African start-up that meets the age, ownership and Series A conditions applies on exactly the same terms as any other.
Who should fill in the form?
The World Economic Forum explicitly encourages chief executives to complete the application themselves so the community can understand their motivations directly.
When exactly does the 2027 window close?
Applications must be submitted by midnight Pacific Time on 31 January 2027, which is early February by West Africa time, so founders should not read the date as their own midnight.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
