MetLife Foundation & Verb Launch Competition To Accelerate Financial Innovation In Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Nov. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MetLife Foundation and Verb launched Inclusion Plus, a global competition to identify and support entrepreneurs, non-profits and other impact organizations that help advance financial inclusion for an estimated 2 billion people across the world.

The Bangladesh competition will attract participants that have innovative ideas or solutions to empower the over 75 million Bangladeshis that manage their day-to-day financial lives without a bank account. MetLife associates will serve as mentors and judges for the competition, contributing hundreds of volunteer hours. Top teams that advance to the semifinal round will be paired with MetLife associates to develop their business pitches.  Finalists will compete at a final event in 2018, for a total of $100,000 in grant funding.

"Our goal is to help our clients build social innovation ecosystems," says Verb CEO Suzi Sosa, "Financial well-being is a complex problem that cannot be solved by any single solution.  Our social impact engagement platform enables us to connect entrepreneurs, investors, corporate partners, mentors and thousands of people from the public.  By strengthening this network, we don't just find one great idea; we actually strengthen the innovation ecosystem."

"It is one of MetLife Foundation's priorities to bring more people under the umbrella of financial inclusion.  In a country of 162 million people, not many have access to affordable financial products and services. Engaging in such competitions will raise awareness; and bring innovative ideas on the table that can be realized," said Syed Hammadul Karim, General Manager of MetLife Bangladesh. He further added, "We look forward to innovative ideas that will make room for everyone to choose their savings, expenses and investment modes for a secured life. We are happy to be a part of such initiatives launched in Bangladesh."

About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was created in 1976 to continue MetLife's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its founding through the end of 2016, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $744 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. In 2013, the Foundation committed $200 million to financial inclusion, and our work to date has reached more than 3.5 million low-income individuals in 39 countries. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.com

About MetLife Bangladesh

MetLife, Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries, and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

MetLife's story in Asia can be traced back to Bangladesh when operations first began in 1952. Currently MetLife Bangladesh is the largest life insurer in the country. It serves over a million customers and is a major employer in Bangladesh with over 15,000 field force and employees.

To learn more, visit: https://www.metlife.com.bd/

About Verb, Inc.

Verb is a social enterprise that produces global social entrepreneurship competitions and delivers employee engagement in partnership with companies, foundations and governments. Verb competitions mobilize thousands of teams from around the world to solve the planet's most pressing social and environmental problems. Founded in 2013 by Austin entrepreneurs Suzi Sosa and Tom Meredith, Verb leverages its online platform, innovation expertise, and entrepreneur network to produce a social innovation engagement experience unlike any other. For more information, visit www.verb.net/.