The Global Young Innovators Programme
15 January - 30 September 2021
The Global Young Innovators Programme offers 60 forward-thinking, entrepreneurial minds from across the UK and South Africa, 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 three to nine-month programme is designed to connect and equip young people with the resources needed to bridge the gap, and transform their early-stage idea into a viable business.
Innovate UK is now calling young innovators (aged 18-30) willing to rise to the challenge and collaborate with inspirational, like-minded entrepreneurs in South Africa to form ground-breaking projects and be a force for positive change.
What Are The Five Global Challenges?
Young innovators are being asked to generate innovative ideas to help address these five challenges in South Africa, with the potential to take that solution to a global scale:
- Solutions that can move South Africa towards a low-carbon economy.
- Products and services which can improve education and training - make it fairer, more inclusive, accessible and equitable.
- Innovations to support the sustainable expansion of cities, rural communities and infrastructure.
- 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.
- 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.
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 three fiscal years
Applications close: 5.00pm (GMT) 08 Jan 21
