Young innovators sought to tackle global challenges

Innovate UK is looking to find the best forward-thinking, entrepreneurial minds from the UK and South Africa to tackle some of the biggest problems future generations could face.
The Global Young Innovators Programme offers 60 forward-thinking, innovators a platform to join forces, ignite ideas and co-design solutions that can help solve some of the greatest challenges facing our global community.
Providing mentorship, industry leading training and the chance to pitch for £10,000 in grant funding, this bespoke 3 to 9-month programme is designed to connect and equip innovators with the resources needed to bridge the gap, and transform their early-stage ideas into a viable business.
The programme opens on January 15 with a cut-off date of 30 September, 2021.
The Five Global Challenges identified by Innovate UK:
- Low carbon – Solutions that can move South Africa towards a low-carbon economy.
- Education – Products and services which can improve education and training - make it fairer, more inclusive, accessible and equitable.
- Infrastructure – Innovations to support the sustainable expansion of cities, rural communities and infrastructure.
- Urban & Rural Communities – Solutions which can create a positive impact on urban and rural communities, transforming them in sustainable ways whilst working to maintain their heritage and cultural access.
• Quality Healthcare – Innovative ideas to improve the quality of healthcare provision, whether it's directly medical or healthcare equipment that is more sustainable, sanitary and/or efficient.
30 young innovators will be selected from the UK and 30 from South Africa to participate in the first phase of the programme. They will embark on a five day bootcamp and will receive expert mentoring, after which they will get the chance to pitch to investors at a seed funding bootcamp.
The progressing 60 will take part in a 5 day pitch and seed funding bootcamp. Two initial prep days will ready the finalists ahead of their bids to secure seed funding in front of a panel of judges and investors.
Innovate UK is looking to find the best forward-thinking, entrepreneurial minds from the UK and South Africa to tackle some of the biggest problems future generations could face.
The Global Young Innovators Programme offers 60 forward-thinking, innovators a platform to join forces, ignite ideas and co-design solutions that can help solve some of the greatest challenges facing our global community.
Providing mentorship, industry leading training and the chance to pitch for £10,000 in grant funding, this bespoke 3 to 9-month programme is designed to connect and equip innovators with the resources needed to bridge the gap, and transform their early-stage ideas into a viable business.
The programme opens on January 15 with a cut-off date of 30 September, 2021.
The Five Global Challenges identified by Innovate UK:
- Low carbon – Solutions that can move South Africa towards a low-carbon economy.
- Education – Products and services which can improve education and training - make it fairer, more inclusive, accessible and equitable.
- Infrastructure – Innovations to support the sustainable expansion of cities, rural communities and infrastructure.
- Urban & Rural Communities – Solutions which can create a positive impact on urban and rural communities, transforming them in sustainable ways whilst working to maintain their heritage and cultural access.
- Quality Healthcare – Innovative ideas to improve the quality of healthcare provision, whether it's directly medical or healthcare equipment that is more sustainable, sanitary and/or efficient.
30 young innovators will be selected from the UK and 30 from South Africa to participate in the first phase of the programme. They will embark on a five day bootcamp and will receive expert mentoring, after which they will get the chance to pitch to investors at a seed funding bootcamp.
The progressing 60 will take part in a 5 day pitch and seed funding bootcamp. Two initial prep days will ready the finalists ahead of their bids to secure seed funding in front of a panel of judges and investors.
Who should apply?
- UK-based early-stage or start-up businesses
- Founders and entrepreneurs who are aged 18-30 years
- With an early-stage idea or solution to address one of the five global challenges
- Eager to collaborate with a South African Young Innovator on a joint project
- Have not received more than €200,000 in public funds over the last 3 fiscal years
For more information about the initiative email globalyounginnovators [at] newable.co.uk