Taking Action on the SDG's | Strictly for People Under the Age of 26 | Market Ready

The WSA Young Innovators Award is an open call. The participation in the WSA Young Innovators is open to any entrepreneur, company, student group or project team - at least one of the founding members and the majority of the team must be under the age of 26 (born on or after January 1, 1998).

• Eligible for young citizens of all UN member states, WSA Young Innovators is open to every start-up, social entrepreneur, NGO, student or individual!
• Submissions for the WSA Young Innovators can contain all mobile and web-based solutions, such as: apps, web pages, applications for wearables, kiosk installations, SMS based products, games and interactive productions. There is no limitation regarding the platforms or channels the solutions work with.
• All submissions have to be launched products. No drafts, ideas or unfinished projects can be accepted.

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Submission Guidelines

The application procedure for the WSA & WSA Young Innovators requires detailed information on your product that you have to provide in the WSA Contest Database.

• Please be short and precise and make your digital solution easy to understand. Avoid overly long sentences and complicated technical terms.
• Please fill in your application only in English.
• Please be aware that an international jury is evaluating your solution. E.g. if your solution cannot be downloaded from the Play Store in some countries, please make sure that you give enough information, provide screenshots or a comprehensive presentation for the jurors.

WSA Young Innovators database manual 2024

Timeline

• May 15, 2024: WSA will be accepting Young Innovator applications starting on this date
• October 15, 2024: This is the deadline - WSA will no longer accept applications after this date
• November 2024: The Online Jury will evaluate the applications to select the shortlist
• January 2025: Shortlisted solutions will be announced
• TBA 2025: The Grand Jury will evaluate the shortlist to select the winners
• April 6-9, 2025: Young Innovator winners will be presented and awarded along with all the other WSA winners at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India

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Why apply for the Young Innovators Award?

The contest gives participants a chance to pitch their solution to a global network of national experts, building valuable connections in the process. The winners will get win the chance to join WSA in Hyderabad India for the 19th WSA Global Congress. This will give winners the chance to:

• Connect with likeminded people including partners, investors, and fellow impact entrepreneurs
• Join the knowledge society of thought leaders, innovators and stakeholders in a community that fosters collaboration over competition
• Access unique opportunities through WSA's global network
• Learn globally and act locally - get to know specialists solving similar problems to you, and transfer their learnings to your local ecosystem

Tips and tricks for your application

• Include an Explainer Video (Recommended)
  Provide a short, high-resolution video about your digital solution. The video should offer a concise and clear overview, helping jury members understand your innovation before reviewing the text. This isn't mandatory but is highly recommended.
• Short Description of Your Digital Solution
  Write a brief 2-3 sentence description that gives the jury a quick insight into your solution, its purpose, and the problem it addresses. This summary will also be used for PR, social media, and the WSA website.
• Problem and Solution
  Clearly describe the local issue your solution addresses and its impact. Provide comprehensive details on how your solution works and the results it aims to achieve. This should give jurors a clear and concise understanding of your solution’s purpose and effectiveness.
• Local Context and Relevance
  Explain why your solution is relevant to your local area and its impact. Highlight the specific local circumstances to help the international jury understand its significance.
• Stage of Development
  Indicate your solution's current phase: established, fully functioning, testing, or beta version. If in testing or beta, specify the planned launch date and remaining tasks.
• Competition and Target Group
  Identify your competitors and your solution's unique selling point (USP). Specify your target groups (e.g., young mothers, children, unemployed) and user base.
• Team and Motivation
  Introduce your team, highlighting members' experiences, governance structure, and advisory support. Explain your motivation and goals for developing the solution.
• Impact and Achievements
  Share success metrics and milestones (e.g., number of users, partners, countries). Detail the measurable impact on your community and which Global Goals (SDGs) your solution addresses.
• Technology and Testing
  Mention any relevant technologies (e.g., AR, VR, AI) involved in your solution. Provide information on how jurors can test your solution, including login details and navigation tips.
• Sustainability and Business Model
  Explain how your business is financially sustained and its long-term economic viability. Share details about your business and revenue model.

Application form template for WSA Young Innovators

Rules

• Submission guidelines encompass adherence to human rights principles and exclusion of content promoting violence, fraud, racism, or discrimination
• The WSA Young Innovators award is open to those under 26 from UN and UNESCO member states
• Only launched products with local impact and alterations from previous submissions are eligible
• Producers grant WSA non-commercial exploitation rights for promotional purposes
• English is the official language for communication and database information
• Incomplete or guideline-defying submissions may be disqualified at the jury's discretion

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The WSA Young Innovators - check out former winners!