Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is an Abu Dhabi Government-funded annual global award, managed by Masdar, that recognizes SMEs, nonprofits, and high schools delivering innovative sustainability solutions across Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools categories, with US$7.2 million in annual prizes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Zayed Sustainability Prize does
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a global annual award program established in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi Government and managed by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, operating as an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies. It recognizes and funds innovative sustainability solutions from SMEs, nonprofit organizations, and high schools across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. The Prize disburses US$7.2 million annually for the 2027 cycle, with organizational winners receiving US$1 million each and Global High Schools winners receiving US$150,000 each; the 2026 cycle introduced an expanded funding model providing US$100,000 grants to all organizational finalists and US$25,000 to all high school finalists.
Submissions are accepted globally through a dedicated online portal in seven languages, with no entry fee. The Prize operates an annual cycle (submissions January–June, shortlisting August, finalists September, ceremony the following January during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week). Complementary programs include the Beyond2020 initiative, which deploys winner solutions in underserved communities across 18 countries and has impacted 229,800+ people; the Voices of Sustainability thought leadership platform; the WiSER platform for women's leadership in sustainability; Investor Connect for capital matchmaking; and the Prize Forum for knowledge exchange. Since inception, the Prize has awarded 128 winners who have collectively impacted over 411 million lives globally.
The entity is not commercially revenue-generating; it is sovereign-funded and has no external shareholders or funding rounds. Its strategic expansion is signalled by record application volumes, the Greater China outreach partnership with SIEF, the new finalist funding tier, and the scaling of Beyond2020 deployment. Operationally it runs on a small core team (1–10 employees) embedded within Masdar's infrastructure, with jury and selection committee leadership drawn from former heads of state, UAE ministers, and global academic figures.
Zayed Sustainability Prize firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zayed Sustainability Prize
- Legal name
- Zayed Sustainability Prize
- Website
- https://zayedsustainabilityprize.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Zayed Sustainability Prize is an Abu Dhabi Government-funded annual global award, managed by Masdar, that recognizes SMEs, nonprofits, and high schools delivering innovative sustainability solutions across Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools categories, with US$7.2 million in annual prizes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zayed Sustainability Prize industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainability Awards and Grants
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Zayed Sustainability Prize is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abu Dhabi
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zayed Sustainability Prize business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Others, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel
Revenue model
- Prize Funding Distribution: The Zayed Sustainability Prize distributes funds to winners and finalists in its six sustainability categories. The prize is funded by the Abu Dhabi Government and managed by Masdar. Winners receive funding to further deploy their sustainability solutions and scale their impact. Since its establishment in 2008, the prize has awarded 128 winners who have collectively impacted over 411 million people globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Organizational Category Winners - US $1,000,000 each |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Global High Schools Winners - US $150,000 each |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Organizational Category Finalists - US $100,000 each |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Global High Schools Finalists - US $25,000 each |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Zayed Sustainability Prize product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a global award program that distributes prize funding to organizations and high schools delivering innovative sustainability solutions. Managed by Masdar on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Government, it awards a US $7.2 million annual fund across six categories (Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools), with organizational winners receiving US $1 million each and high school winners receiving US $150,000 each. The program is complemented by the Beyond2020 initiative, which deploys winning solutions in underserved communities across 18 countries.
Product overview
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a global award program established in 2008 to recognize innovative sustainability solutions. Managed by Masdar on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Government, it awards a total prize fund of US $7.2 million across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. The core offering consists of the annual prize awards where organizational winners receive US $1 million each, and Global High Schools winners receive US $150,000 each. Supporting programs include the Beyond2020 Initiative (which deploys solutions to underserved communities), Voices of Sustainability (thought leadership platform), WiSER (women's empowerment), Investor Connect (investor networking), and the Prize Forum (knowledge exchange).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 411 million people positively impacted through 128 winners since 2008
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Zayed Sustainability Prize
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zayed Sustainability Prize technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Zayed Sustainability Prize partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF)coreStrategic partnership announced November 2025 to enhance outreach in Greater China, formalized during the 2026 China International Import Expo. The partnership aims to identify and promote sustainability innovators from China, connecting them with the UAE-based award and fostering sustainable development.
- ADCB (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank)minorPartner in the Beyond2020 initiative, collaborating to deploy sustainability solutions in underserved communities.
- Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)minorPartner in the Beyond2020 initiative supporting development projects through sustainable solutions deployment.
- BNP ParibasminorPartner in the Beyond2020 initiative contributing to sustainable development projects.
- MasdarcoreMasdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, manages the Zayed Sustainability Prize. A dedicated team works on the Prize all year round.
- Mubadala EnergyminorPartner in the Beyond2020 initiative supporting sustainable development efforts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zayed Sustainability Prize competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement: Administered by the University of Southern California, the Tyler Prize ($200K) is one of the longest-running premier awards for environmental achievement globally. Comparable as an established sustainability/environmental recognition platform with academic and institutional backing.
- Ashden Awards: UK-based charity recognizing and funding climate and development innovators across energy access, green buildings, and sustainable mobility. Directly comparable as a grantmaking sustainability award focused on deploying proven solutions in emerging markets.
- Pritzker Environmental Genius Award: Awarded by the Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation, this $100K prize recognizes individuals whose work generates lasting environmental impact. Comparable as a high-prestige, family-foundation-funded sustainability recognition award.
- Energy Globe Award: International sustainability award presented annually to projects in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation across 178+ countries. Directly comparable as a globally distributed sustainability award honoring innovative environmental projects.
- Goldman Environmental Prize: Often called the 'Green Nobel,' the Goldman Prize awards $200K annually to six grassroots environmental activists (one per continent). Comparable as a globally recognized, high-prestige sustainability/environmental award with global geographic distribution of winners.
- Earthshot Prize: Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020, Earthshot Prize awards £1M to five winners annually across environmental categories (Protect/Restore nature, Clean our air, Revive our oceans, Build a waste-free world, Fix our climate). Directly comparable as a high-profile, well-funded, global sustainability award targeting innovators.
- SEED Awards: SEED Awards support innovative small-scale enterprises delivering environmental, social, and economic impacts in developing economies. Comparable as a grantmaking platform supporting SMEs and social enterprises on sustainability challenges with global reach.
- UNEP Champions of the Earth: The UN Environment Programme's flagship environmental award recognizing leaders in categories like policy, science, business, and civil society. Comparable as a globally recognized sustainability/environmental recognition platform with global scope and institutional backing.
Emerging players
- Skoll Foundation / Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship: The Skoll Foundation provides multi-year grants (typically US$1.25M+) to proven social entrepreneurs addressing systemic challenges including environmental sustainability. Comparable as a major institutional grantmaker for sustainability-adjacent innovators, though broader in mission.
- Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs: World Economic Forum initiative recognizing and supporting social entrepreneurs, including those working on environmental sustainability. Comparable as a global platform providing recognition, networking, and capital access to sustainability innovators, with an institutional backbone (WEF).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zayed Sustainability Prize social profiles
Digital presenceZayed Sustainability Prize financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zayed Sustainability Prize leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Zayed Sustainability Prize funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zayed Sustainability Prize M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zayed Sustainability Prize
What does Zayed Sustainability Prize do?
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a global award program that distributes prize funding to organizations and high schools delivering innovative sustainability solutions. Managed by Masdar on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Government, it awards a US $7.2 million annual fund across six categories (Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools), with organizational winners receiving US $1 million each and high school winners receiving US $150,000 each. The program is complemented by the Beyond2020 initiative, which deploys winning solutions in underserved communities across 18 countries.
Is Zayed Sustainability Prize a public or private company?
Zayed Sustainability Prize is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Zayed Sustainability Prize founded?
Zayed Sustainability Prize was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Zayed Sustainability Prize based?
Zayed Sustainability Prize is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Zayed Sustainability Prize make money?
One revenue line is on record: prize Funding Distribution.
Who are Zayed Sustainability Prize's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, Ashden Awards, Pritzker Environmental Genius Award, Energy Globe Award, Goldman Environmental Prize, Earthshot Prize, SEED Awards and UNEP Champions of the Earth. Emerging players are Skoll Foundation / Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs.
Does Zayed Sustainability Prize have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zayed Sustainability Prize.
What industry is Zayed Sustainability Prize in?
Zayed Sustainability Prize's product category is Sustainability Awards and Grants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.