EBL 2025 is seeking passionate, enthusiastic and talented individuals and teams to join the challenge. The competition is open to student teams, small and medium-sized companies, research labs, international corporations, and non-profit organisations. There are a myriad of beneficial components to being involved in this innovative and transformational competition:

• • • Learning opportunity: Explore one of the most pressing issues facing humanity with experts in the field.
    • Huge untapped market potential: A market of underserved people represents one of today’s largest market opportunities.
    • Exposure: Winners of both the online round and the global round will appear in press releases, on social media, and across various media outlets.
    • Networking: Engage in banquets and other social events with participants active in the sector.
    • Field pilot: Teams selected for field testing will receive a letter from the competition to assist with fundraising to offset their costs.
    • Significant prize money: Over US$1 Million in prizes and team support has been distributed among Global Final winners.

Complete competition guidelines, resources and requirements are here: Empower A Billion Lives 2025.

If you would like to make a donation to support the program, please visit the donation page.

Timeline

1. Online rounds

The Concept Paper is open for submission on 1 July 2024 and the 3-page proposal is due 1 November 2024. Though a Concept Paper is not required, submitting one provides your team with expert reviews and comments for bettering your Full-Proposal. The Full Proposal is open for Submission on 1 January 2025 and is due 31 March 2025.

2. Field test

Invited teams complete a field pilot in an approved region of their choosing. Exceptions are made for Student Teams.

3. Global Final – December 2025

IEEE PELS Southern Power Electronics Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Invited teams demonstrate the ruggedized prototypes, field test results, and final business plan.

Join the Competition

To register a Team for the EBL 2025 competition. The Team Leader is required to complete the registration form. Indicating your intention to compete will allow for direct communication with the Team Leader regarding updates and Competition-relevant information. Please register your team well before you are ready to submit proposals.