Call For Applications: World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 for Early-Stage Startups, Scale-ups, and SMEs

World Bank Group GovTech Innovation. Partner with the World Bank to develop digital solutions for Ghana Tax Administration this autumn.

Requirements

Early-stage startups, scale-ups, and SMEs that:

  • Are legally incorporated
  • Have fewer than 75 employees
  • Have under $5M USD in annual revenue
  • Possess technical, operational, and business expertise relevant to the challenge
  • Have the capacity to actively participate in challenge activities

Benefits

Selected companies will be invited to participate in the following activities:

4-day GovTech Bootcamp in Switzerland

A hands-on program designed to foster innovation and collaboration

  • Field Visits to Leading Institutions
    International Geneva, State of Vaud, EPFLEPFL Innovation ParkSICPASGSKudelski and more.
  • Mentoring & Networking Opportunities
    Engage with domain experts and connect with key stakeholders from the Swiss financial sector.​
  • Workshops on Public Sector Collaboration
    Covering B2G engagement, regulatory compliance, scalability planning, and proposal refinement in collaboration with the beneficiary country.

Govtech Conference in Geneva

The flagship event hosted at the Geneva International Conference Centre, which will bring together over 500 attendees from across the public and private sectors

  • Showcase of Top 3 Proposals
    Finalists present their innovative solutions to a global audience.
  • Insights from the Innovation Challenge
    Reflections on key learnings, challenges, and future opportunities.
  • Quantum in Public Administration: Quantum 101
    An accessible introduction to quantum technologies and their potential impact on government operations.
  • Digital Trust in Public Sector Digitization
    Exploring frameworks that ensure secure, transparent, and trusted digital transformation.
  • AI in Public Administration
    Panel discussions on cybersecurity, governance, and ethical AI deployment in government.
  • Resource Mobilization, Tax Administration & Digital Trust: Examining how digital tools are reshaping public finance and trust-building mechanisms.

Application Timeline

Submit your proposal: 28 Jul – 12 Sep

Outline proposed technical approach, implementation methodology, and potential impact to address the tax administration challenge of Ghana Revenue Authority.

Information Sessions: 18 Aug- 12 Sep

Q&A format of online sessions with Ghana Revenue Authority will provide opportunities to clarify technical requirements, discuss implementation approaches and gain deeper insights into the specifics of taxation in Ghana.

Pitch Sessions: 15 Sep – 26 Sep

Present your proposal to the Selection Committee, which includes representatives from the World Bank, the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and Trust Valley partners from Geneva and the Canton of Vaud across the public, private, and academic sectors.

Final selection: 3 Oct

The Selection Committee will choose Top 3 companies with the best proposals, which will receive comprehensive support to develop their proposals from initial concept to functional Proof of Concept (PoC)

GovTech Bootcamp & Conference in Switzerland: 2 Dec

Selected companies will participate in a 4-day program to build capacity in public-private collaboration and refine their Proof of Concepts with Ghana Revenue Authority and the World Bank

The program concludes with the companies presenting their proposed solutions during a dedicated session at the GovTech Conference

Prototyping: 2026

Following the Swiss ecosystem experience, selected companies will gain a unique opportunity to implement a pilot solution for the Ghana Revenue Administration

Deadline: September 12, 2025

Click HERE to Apply