WSA Young Innovators Award 2025 for Young Founders

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Are you building a digital solution that tackles social or environmental challenges? The WSA Young Innovators Award is calling on start-ups, student groups, NGOs, project teams, and individuals from all UN and UNESCO member states to showcase their work.

The WSA Young Innovators Award is an open call for digital solutions (applications, projects, or products) driving positive change, created by young people under the age of 26 from all UN and UNESCO member states.

WSA Young Innovators Award Benefits

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.

Eligibility 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, 1999).
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.