The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize
A global challenge prize offering up to £6.25 million (approx. ₹65.6 crore) to multi-disciplinary teams developing innovative solutions to improve outcomes for people affected by snakebite in high-burden settings.
- Funding amount
- ₹78.8L – ₹18.4Cr (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Wellcome (Foundation)
- Application deadline
- 16 Sept 2026
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize is a major global competition launched by Wellcome and run by Challenge Works. It focuses on the devastating problem of snakebite envenoming, which affects up to 2.7 million people each year, causing over 100,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities worldwide. The burden is heaviest in rural, poor, and agrarian communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South-East Asia, and Latin America, where access to timely care is extremely limited.
The prize invites innovators from around the world to develop and scale solutions that strengthen community responses, speed up access to appropriate care, or improve the delivery of snakebite treatment. It offers two tracks: the Launch Track for early-stage ideas needing proof-of-concept, and the Growth Track for more mature solutions ready for wider implementation. Through a multi-stage process of assessment, development, and final judging, the prize aims to identify and fund the most impactful solutions that can transform the patient journey from bite to effective emergency care.
Highlights
- Total prize fund of £6.25 million (approx. ₹65.6 crore)
- Individual winner prizes up to £1.75 million (approx. ₹18.37 crore)
- Focus on snakebite solutions in high-burden regions (Africa, South Asia, SE Asia, LatAm)
- Two tracks: Launch (early-stage) and Growth (mature solutions)
- Multi-stage challenge with dedicated development support
- Open to legally incorporated organizations worldwide
Who can apply
The prize is open to legally incorporated organizations worldwide, including companies, non-profits, charities, research organizations, universities, and civil society groups. Individual applicants without an organizational affiliation are not eligible. Teams must appoint a lead entrant who is at least 18 years old. Solutions must be designed for and implemented in high-burden snakebite settings, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South-East Asia, and Latin America. Applicants must comply with international sanctions, and those linked to the tobacco industry are barred. Solutions focusing solely on primary prevention, foundational research, or long-term recovery or mental health are not in scope. Applicants should choose either the Launch Track for early-stage ideas or the Growth Track for more developed solutions.
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Applications for The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize are open and the current deadline is 16 Sept 2026. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
The prize has a total fund of £6.25 million (approximately ₹65.6 crore). Up to 15 finalists receive seed funding: £75,000 (approx. ₹78.75 lakh) each for up to 10 Launch Track teams, and £100,000 (approx. ₹1.05 crore) each for up to 5 Growth Track teams, plus bespoke support during a 10-month development phase. After final judging, up to four winning teams share an additional £5 million (approx. ₹52.5 crore) for a three-year implementation period. Individual prizes can reach £750,000 (approx. ₹7.87 crore) for Launch Track winners and £1.75 million (approx. ₹18.37 crore) for Growth Track winners. Beyond funding, innovators get access to a matchmaking platform for collaboration, a webinar series with snakebite experts, and hackathon-style events.
About the provider
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize is offered by Wellcome, a non-profit foundation. It is delivered directly by Wellcome as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications first undergo an eligibility check. Eligible entries are then reviewed by expert assessors and judges based on predefined criteria. Up to 15 of the most promising teams are selected as finalists. These finalists enter a 10-month development period where they refine their solutions. Afterwards, finalists submit their refined solutions and long-term proposals for a second round of judging by the expert panel. Up to four winning teams are chosen to receive larger prize funds for further development and implementation.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹78.8L – ₹18.4Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total prize money available?
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize has a total fund of £6.25 million (approximately ₹65.6 crore). This includes seed funding for finalists and larger prizes for the ultimate winners.
Who can apply for this prize?
Legally incorporated organizations such as companies, non-profits, charities, research organizations, universities, and civil society groups are eligible. The lead entrant must be at least 18 years old. Individuals without an organizational affiliation cannot apply.
What types of solutions are sought?
The prize seeks technological, social, logistical, and systems-level solutions that improve outcomes along the pathway from snakebite to effective emergency care. Solutions focused solely on drug development, primary prevention, basic research, or long-term recovery are generally out of scope as a primary focus.
Are there different tracks for solutions at different stages?
Yes, there are two tracks: the Launch Track for new or early-stage ideas seeking proof-of-concept, and the Growth Track for more mature solutions that have been tested and are ready for wider implementation and scaling.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for initial submissions is 16 September 2026, at 12 noon UTC (5:30 PM IST). Late entries will not be accepted.
Where must the solutions be implemented?
Solutions must be specifically tailored for and implemented in high-burden snakebite settings, defined as areas with high mortality or morbidity and significant unmet need, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South-East Asia, and Latin America.
Is equity taken by the prize program?
No, the prize provides grant funding and competition prizes. No equity is taken in the participating organizations.
What documents are typically needed for the application?
The entry form requires an eligibility form, a summary about the entry, track-specific answers, a declaration confirming eligibility, and optional additional information. Applicants should also review the innovator handbook and terms and conditions before submitting.
How do I apply?
All entries must be submitted through the online form on Submittable. The lead organization must create a Submittable account. For questions or accessibility accommodations, email snakebite.prize@challengeworks.org.
What support is provided to finalists?
Finalists receive seed funding, bespoke support during a 10-month development phase, access to a matchmaking platform for collaboration, a webinar series with snakebite experts, and hackathon-style events.
How much funding does The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize provide?
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize provides ₹78.8L – ₹18.4Cr (range) as competition. Always confirm the exact amount and any conditions on the official site, as figures can change between cohorts.
Is DPIIT recognition required for The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize?
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize is offered by Wellcome, a non-profit foundation. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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