The first round of Frontiers Champions was launched in 2020 with the aim of putting agency for building on the Frontiers community into the hands of the community members themselves. Champions received funding to convene a network of peers over a 12-month period.
- Akino Tahir, Resilient Development Initiative:Building a community of practice on urban refugee issues for a better and more inclusive urban governance
- Alireza Moghayedi, University of Cape Town:Sustainable innovative affordable housing initiative (SIAH-I)
- Andre Johan Nel, Eco-V:Promoting sustainable GreenTower technology for schools supplemented by online skills and entrepreneurship development
- Askwar Hilonga, Gongali Model:Scale-up of a low-cost water filter (Nanofilter) through the Frontiers alumni network
- Boksun Kim, University of Plymouth:Recycled aggregate concrete in South East Asia
- Diego Almendrades, EcoSwell:Global networks for Global Challenges in Peru's drylands
- Dori Nguyen, Utopia:Designing a network for urban practitioners across emerging Asian cities
- Harry Chaplin, Tatirano Social Enterprise:Early MadLab: Strengthening resilient local and international networks for re-centering design for development in-situ (Madagascar)
- Lakshmi Rajendran, Anglia Ruskin University:PIVOT - Re-visioning peripheral geographies: Strategies for resilient urban development in the Global South
- Miguel Malnati, Bio Natural Solutions:Bio-digital platform for LATAM challenges
- Siri Hettige, Center for Development Research and Innovation:Networking for advancement of solutions to emerging issues (NEASE)
- Yung Wey Chong, Universiti Sains Malaysia:AISC: Artificial intelligence research, development and innovation network for sustainable cities
- Zacharia Kimengich, ZAKAM orthopaedic company:Pediatric hip spica with double extension traction