Chemonics partners with Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) to support a global ecosystem of startups tackling the world’s toughest challenges through innovation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through competitions, showcases, and strategic convenings, XTC connects entrepreneurs with investors, corporates, and experts to scale transformative technologies. This partnership reflects Chemonics’ commitment to harnessing cutting-edge innovation and private-sector collaboration to accelerate sustainable, inclusive development across emerging markets.
Extreme Tech Challenge Impact by the numbers to date:
- 10,000+
Startup Applications across 120+ countries, covering a wide spectrum of tech verticals and funding stages
- US $5B
Venture Capital Funding Raised by XTC Startup Finalists (2015-2024)
- 400+
VCs and CVCs on the XTC Evaluation Committee, Global Partners
- 36%
Female Founded Finalists
By bridging public and private sector collaboration, Chemonics brings a unique ability to break down silos, form high-impact partnerships, and unlock new value across industries. This partnership reflects Chemonics’ strategic focus on leveraging innovation to address global challenges—reinforcing XTC’s mission to accelerate tech for good and expand the reach of purpose-driven innovation.
“For the past 50 years, we have partnered with clients and communities around the world to solve increasingly complex challenges creatively and collaboratively,” said Chemonics President and CEO Jamey Butcher. “But the landscape of development and sustainability is rapidly changing. We need more impactful and innovative solutions with far greater reach to meet the magnitude of the challenges of our time. That is why we are excited to partner with XTC to realize our shared vision of empowering more diverse local innovators at a global scale.”
Young Sohn, Co-Founder of Extreme Tech Challenge, Founding Managing Partner of Walden Catalyst Ventures and Former Corporate President and Chief Strategy Officer of Samsung Electronics commented, “Extreme Tech Challenge has always been at the forefront of discovering the most innovative startups transforming their industries for the better. This partnership with Chemonics will help us empower and support them even more to achieve their goals on an increasingly larger scale.”
At the Visionary Level, Chemonics plays a leading role in the strategy and goals of XTC’s programs and focuses on connecting social entrepreneurs from its networks in emerging and developing economies to XTC’s pipeline of global tech for good competitions.
About Extreme Tech Challenge
Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the world’s leading platform for fostering collaboration and innovation among startups, corporations, and governments to address global challenges. Inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, XTC is dedicated to advancing technologies that create a positive, lasting impact on the world.
The Extreme Tech Challenge™ competition is supported by leading corporations, venture capital investors, foundations, policymakers, universities, and tech conferences to give exceptional startups the potential for global visibility, the opportunity to raise capital, the ability to network with global leaders, and access to world-class mentorship to help them pioneer technological breakthroughs that address our most extreme global challenges. A complete list of XTC partners and how to join can be found at www.extremetechchallenge.org.
