WSA Young Innovators
The WSA Young Innovators Award will be back in 2027
WSA's commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs remains as strong as ever. As WSA transitions into 3.0, we are taking a short break from the WSA Young Innovators Call in 2026.
This is a pause—not a farewell. The Young Innovators Call will return in 2027, bringing new opportunities to celebrate and support the next generation of digital innovators creating positive impact.
In the meantime, if you already have a digital solution with measurable social impact, we warmly encourage you to apply for the WSA through our regular call.
Your innovation doesn't have to wait.
If you're still building your venture, keep going. Refine your idea, grow your impact, connect with your community, and come back ready to shine when the Young Innovators Call returns in 2027.
Youth entrepreneurship continues to be a core priority for WSA, and we can't wait to welcome a new generation of changemakers back to the Young Innovators Call soon.
See you in 2027—we're excited for what you'll create.
Taking Action on the SDG's | Strictly for People Under the Age of 26 | Market Ready
Eligibility and criteria
- WSA Young Innovators is open to any start-up, social entrepreneur, company, NGO, student group, project team, or individual.
- 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, 2000).
- The solution must have a digital component, but there is no limitation regarding the platforms or channels the solutions work with - submissions can be for example mobile apps, web pages, applications for wearables, kiosk installations, SMS based products, games, and interactive productions.
- The solution should create positive changes in society or the environment and contribute to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- All submissions must be launched and on the market, with proven social impact. No ideas, drafts, prototypes, or incomplete solutions can be accepted.
Benefits of the Young Innovators Award
- Make connections and get knowledge at the WSA Global Congress!
At the Global Congress all winners get to present their solutions to a global audience of experts, impact entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors. There are workshops focused on winners' skill-building, and the interactive program gives them many chances to build valuable connections. - Gain global visibility!
The world needs to know about your solution! All winning solutions will be celebrated and featured in WSA's communications, including the WSA catalogue, website, social media, newsletters, and press releases. Additionally, you'll get a WSA Winners Seal to show potential investors that your solution has been recognised on a global level. - Discover global innovations!
Get to know game-changing innovators and impact entrepreneurs solving social problems all over the world and transfer their solutions and learnings to your local context. - Join the WSA community of social innovation experts and enthusiasts!
Join a devoted multi-stakeholder community of changemakers and industry leaders driving positive impact through digital innovation. Be the first to know about amazing opportunities and learn, grow, collaborate, and exchange knowledge with network members. - Gain competition experience!
Fill in the application, explain the purpose and impact of your innovation, refine your presentation, and have it reviewed by a global WSA Jury. Attend the Congress and learn how to make the most of network capital to support your and your solution's future.
Share this opportunity with your network
Do you want to share the Young Innovators Award with your network? We've prepared some assets to help you do so.
Jury Process
The Jury process for the Young Innovators is a democratic and transparent system to guarantee a fair and diverse selection of digital best practices. After being submitted, the solutions go through a 2-tier Jury process.
The Young Innovators Online Jury starts shortly after the call closes. The Online Jury’s work ends with the decision on the shortlisted solutions. The Young Innovators Grand Jury then convenes to discuss and debate the shortlisted solutions and finally decides the winners. The WSA Young Innovators 2026 winners will be chosen in January 2027.
