British Council NI has announced the launch of a new global tech competition aimed at combatting global gender inequality, access to education, and sustainable economic growth.
Global inequality is rampant in 2019, with economically poorer areas being the most harshly affected. British Council is focusing on three major inequalities this year as part of its commitment to the United Nations' Global Goals for Sustainable Development: Gender equality, access to quality education, and sustainable economic growth with decent working conditions.
Technology could help alleviate some of these problems, and any solution will start with an idea. British Council wants your ideas on how to tackle these monumental challenges with new digital solutions, and has launched its #IdeasChangeLives global innovation challenge to help make it happen.
The competition is open to entrepreneurs with bold ideas but who may need help to make them a reality. Applicants must pick one of the three goals above, come up with a viable plan to improve it with digital technology, and pitch their idea to British Council NI. The winning pitch will get £20,000 toward developing the idea and a year of mentorship support to connect you to the people you'll need to get it off the ground.
The competition is open to individuals or organisations around the world, and you don't necessarily need a working prototype of your idea or to be already working in the tech sector to apply. What you will need is a firm grasp of how your idea could be implemented in the real world, how it will improve people's lives, and what competition is out there.
Applications close on January 10th 2020, after which a shortlist will be invited to make a video presentation and business model pitch in February. The finalists will be announced in March 2020, and a winner selected by a panel of expert judges later that month. Head over to the British Council website for more details, and check out the video below.
Source: British Council, via British Council NI
