Winners of ‘Global Maker Challenge’ announced
DUBAI: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity announced the four winners for Cohort 2 of the Global Maker Challenge at its first ever Virtual Award Ceremony organised out of the UAE. The four winners, along with eight runners-up, will receive monetary prizes, mentorship, and access to global organisations, worth up to US$1 million.
Simbi Foundation, Coldhubs, POKET, and Plastics for Change were selected as the four Global Maker Challenge winners following careful evaluation led by the Massachusets Institute of Technology’s SOLVE initiative, MIT SOLVE, and an esteemed jury of 47 globally renowned subject mater and innovation experts.
The Initiative also identified the four most disruptive solutions, that will be connected to global organisations to receive guidance and mentorship through a programme in partnership with the University of Cambridge.
ID2020, Stixfresh, Agricycle Global, and Algiknit were identified to be the most disruptive solutions with the potential to generate significant social and economic change in the face of some of the world’s most pressing challenges. These start-ups will benefit from the Global Prosperity Award mentorship programme and will receive guidance and support from global organisations to help them overcome their non-financial challenges, and put them on a path to scalability and greater social impact.
Cohort 2 was launched at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s, UNIDO, 8th Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries that was held in Abu Dhabi in November 2019, and received more than 3,400 entries from 148 countries. In partnership with 10 UN agencies, critical global issues that need urgent action were identified forming four challenges related to the themes of Innovation for Peace and Justice, Sustainable and Healthy Food for All, Innovation for Inclusive Trade, and Climate Change.
More than 6,800 social impact enthusiasts from around the world came together to witness the Global Maker Challenge finalists pitch their solutions, listen to expert-led discussions and keynotes, and watch the award ceremony, as part of the# Make 4 prosperity week.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Badr Al Olama, Head of the Organising Commitee for the Global Manufacturing and Industrial is at ion Summit, GMIS, said, “We continue to be inspired by our patron, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai’s humanitarian journey and drive for innovation to positively impact not only the UAE, but also the region and the world.”