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

Benefits of 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

Jury Process

The Jury process for the Young Innovators is a strictly democratic and transparent system to guarantee a fair and diverse selection of worldwide digital innovation. Once a digital solution is submitted it has to pass several stages of evaluation and assessment before it can become a Winner and maybe even a Global Champion.
Learn more

Rules & conditions

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

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

The WSA Young Innovators - check out former winners!