YOUTH INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Open to Individuals & Teams (2-5 members)

SOLVE

One Track. Infinite Solutions.

A global youth platform for students aged 13–18 to pitch breakthroughs under a single, unified Innovation Track. Solve critical real-world barriers either through direct social design or systemic technology frameworks across industries like Education, Finance, DeepTech, HealthTech, and ClimateTech.

Eligibility

Age 13–18

Focus Track

Unified Innovation

Required Deliverables

10-Page Deck + 1-Min Video

Scope

Online Submission

The Blueprint

One Track. Infinite Sectors.

Form a collaborative team of 2-5 peers (or fly solo if you are aged 13–18) and target any of our 5 high-impact industries.

Innovation Track Focus

Unified Innovation Track

Unified Innovation

Whether you construct direct hardware/tech designs or craft systemic, human-centered social frameworks—your main objective is simple: create positive global impact.

Education
Finance
DeepTech
HealthTech
ClimateTech Solutions

Your Pitch Requirements

1. 10-Page Pitch Deck

Strict 10 Slide Limit

An explicit slide roadmap detailing the Problem, your Proposed Solution, market implementation feasibility, and scalability.

2. 1-Minute Pitch Video

Strict 60 Seconds Limit

A fast-paced, engaging elevator pitch to hook the judges, explain your concept, and state your team's vision.

The Three “I” Evaluation Metrics

Innovation

Originality and depth of design. Does the concept push current boundaries or provide a completely new outlook on resolving the target issue?

Impact

The depth and quality of change. How effectively does the plan address the selected industry gap with realistic and measurable criteria?

Implementation

Feasibility of deployment. Is the project financially sustainable, realistic to implement, and built upon sound operational research?

The Comprehensive Slide Guide

10-Slide Pitch Blueprint

Explore the exact structural slide pacing required for submissions. Click a slide to analyze contextual track case studies.

Slide 01 Content Requirements

Title & Team Introduction

Hook the judges immediately. Introduce your core team, school name, country, and state. State your project's high-level vision.

Tech Track Case Application

Project Name: 'NeuroSync' — An AI-powered assistive communication interface for neurodivergent students.

Social Impact Case Application

Project Name: 'CarbonCount' — A hyper-local community distribution framework to reduce institutional carbon footprints.

The Roadmap

The Journey to Impact

A streamlined timeline moving directly from August kickoff to the final milestone deadline with zero intermediate steps.

Competition Launch & Kickoff

STAGE 01
Open

The global platform goes live. Access prompt briefs and resource dossiers directly. Teams use this critical window to align on problem statements and build high-conviction prototypes.

Comprehensive Dossier Submission

STAGE 02
15 October 2026 (Final Deadline)

The singular hard cutoff. Final 10-page Pitch Deck (PPT/PDF) and 1-minute video pitch must be finalized and submitted simultaneously with teacher credentials.

Triple-'I' Evaluation Review

STAGE 03
15 November 2026

An expert panel of judges rigorously evaluates all submitted project dossiers against the core operational metrics: Innovation, Impact, and Implementation.

Global Finale & Prize Awards

STAGE 04
15 December 2026

The global ecosystem converges for the online virtual showcase.

The SOLVE Advantage

Designed Differently.

Unlike massive, high-friction competitions, we focus purely on amplifying your core ideas, giving you visibility without structural complexity.

Tech Meets Purpose

We don't isolate software from reality. SOLVE bridges the gap by letting you pitch hard engineering ideas designed specifically to build social good.

Built for Beginners

No previous startup experience required. Whether you are launching a simple awareness campaign or a future tech app, this space is built for your early validation.

Global Collaboration

Open to both individual creators and collaborative teams of 2–5 students. Shape your ideas locally, connect with global judges, and build early brand trust.

Distinction & Rewards

Recognition of Excellence

Accelerate your academic journey with global credentials, prestige positioning, and bespoke global profile engineering.

Second Prize

The Distinction Award

$750 Estimated Value

Personalised Profile Roadmap

1-on-1 strategic roadmap designed with an Education Strategist to elevate your global academic profile.

Exclusive Merchandise

Custom competition-branded winner gear and physical merchandise package delivered directly to you.

Certificate of Excellence

An official, verified credential recognizing your high-tier achievement in the global writing competition.

Third Prize

The Honors Award

$500 Estimated Value

Personalised Profile Roadmap

1-on-1 strategic roadmap designed with an Education Strategist to maximize college profile trajectory.

Official Winner Certificate

A formal, high-impact credential of achievement to anchor your college applications and resumes.

Evaluation & Advisory Council

Meet the Mentors & Judges

Your ideas will be thoroughly evaluated and supported by leading minds across international economics, startup development, and business strategy.

Lead Academic Advisor

Venkat R. Srivatsan

Adjunct Professor of Economics, NYU-Stern

Guest Faculty, Humanities Department, IIT-Madras

Expert in early-stage business models, venture scalability, and disruptive market strategies. Guiding student entrepreneurs on transforming raw ideas into high-growth startups and validating unit economics for sustainable growth.

Ecosystem Mentor

Ananya Sachdev

Entrepreneur & Global Startup Mentor

Global Startup Strategy Mentor

She is a two-time Founder, LinkedIn Influencer, and TEDx speaker. Holding a degree in Economics from SRCC and a Masters in Management from Columbia University, Ananya has navigated the corporate landscapes of New York and Tokyo with firms like Rakuten.

Media & Presentation Judge

Sarah Jenkins

Innovation Consultant & Venture Partner

Digital Outreach & Media Strategist

Expert in brand positioning, storytelling structures, and digital literacy metrics. Evaluating how clearly teams transmit complex ideas inside their 3-minute video pitches.

Clarifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about templates, team formats, or requirements? Here is everything you need to know.

Applications are Live

Got an Idea?
Let’s SOLVE It.

Bring your pitch deck and your 3-minute video to our global evaluation arena. No mentorship clutter. No logistical complications. Just absolute impact.

SOLVE Competition by Career Discovery

A global youth initiative empowering students to pitch innovative technology and social impact ideas to address real-world global challenges.

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