Social Impact Catalyst’s Post

How heartwarming and inspiring to see #innovation being embraced and mastered by young people around the world. The World Economic Forum recognises the winners of the Global Shapers Innovation Prize 2024. Take a look to see how young innovators are changing the world.

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺. In this Op Ed by Darsel Keane, CIE’s Director outlines how across the globe, universities are the backbone of innovation, turning groundbreaking research into technologies and start-ups that drive global progress. From Silicon Valley to Singapore, leading innovation hubs are anchored by universities fostering talent, tech, and impactful start-ups. New Zealand’s universities have a crucial role in this ecosystem, though challenges around scale and funding limit their full potential. Find out how strategic investment can drive Aotearoa’s high-impact growth.  Full article: https://lnkd.in/gqUWTNZm The University of Auckland The University of Auckland Business School UniServices

[Be a part of MUST. CONNECT 2024 and witness South Korea’s game changers in the Sustainability & Life Science fields!] Are you ready to witness the next generation of global unicorns in tech? MUST. CONNECT is a global innovation roadshow connecting Korean tech startups with the global stage. Since 2022, we’ve been bridging Korea’s most cutting-edge startups with the vast opportunities in the APAC market, offering exclusive business partnerships such as technology R&D, business development, investment, and networking. Join us MUST. CONNECT 2024, at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, on October 23-24. The focus will be on Sustainability & Life Sciences—two of the fastest-growing sectors shaping the future of innovation. Don't miss your chance to collaborate with top-tier Korean startups pushing the boundaries of technology. If you're an MNC, SME, government agency, nonprofit organization, VC, or AC, this is your perfect opportunity to connect with tomorrow’s game changers. Be a part of MUST. CONNECT 2024 and get ready to be inspired! 🔗 MUST. CONNECT 2024 Event Page: https://lnkd.in/ghgy2myj (📢 This event is invite-only. Those who wish to attend should contact paula@must.ac for the RSVP link.) Bredis Healthcare Inc. BnJ Biopharma Watervation Co., Ltd. ABLE Labs (에이블랩스) AETECH(에이트테크) MarinaChain #MUSTCONNECT #MUSTAccelerator #GlobalRoadShow #OpenInnovation #Sustainability #LifeScience #SustainableLiving #Green #Biohealth #Wellbeing #AI #BigData

Africa is brimming with potential! Following the emergence of tech hubs, there is a rise in young innovators and expert talents. Yet, a significant challenge persists: the innovation gap. This gap isn't just about lack of ideas. Africa has no shortage of bright minds. It’s about the tools, platforms, and opportunities needed to turn these ideas into scalable solutions that address the continent’s unique challenges.  Take a moment to consider this: How many groundbreaking ideas have we seen stall due to a lack of funding, mentorship, or collaboration? How often have we witnessed innovators struggle to connect with the right partners or markets?  This is where InnoX comes into the picture. InnoX is a playground for innovation. More than a platform, it’s a movement to break innovation silos, bridge the gap; providing innovators with the resources and networks they need to succeed. Whether it’s startups needing mentorship, businesses requiring partnerships, or young innovators looking to showcase their solutions and ideas, InnoX is designed to bring the ecosystem together. It’s time for Africa’s ideas to go beyond dreams. Let’s turn them into realities.  Are you an innovator or innovation champion? Explore more at www.innox.africa.

As I write in this short blog piece, it's been some time since I felt quite so excited about a gathering. The Future of Labs is going to be a short but deep dive exploring what we mean by Labs, what we can achieve with them, where we situate them in the spectrum of social change contribution and how we can use the methods, better and/or differently to achieve greater outcomes. Can't wait to get started! #FutureofLabs #socialinnovation #sociallabs Social Innovation Canada https://lnkd.in/gej2HB34

❓ Did you know that startups led by women deliver 35% higher ROI for investors? 🚀 Join the Women TechEU Online Matchmaking Event Gain exclusive access to Europe’s top 40 women-led deeptech startups, selected from over 820 applicants for their exceptional innovation, high growth potential, and transformative solutions in AI, biotechnology, climate-tech, and beyond. 💡 Why Attend? - Exclusive Insights: Meet Europe’s most innovative women-led startups driving advancements in deeptech. - Strategic Connections: Pre-arranged 1-1 meetings to explore investment-ready opportunities and build impactful collaborations. - Early Access: Be at the forefront of disruptive technologies poised to transform industries. Who Should Attend? ✔️ Investors: Discover high-potential startups ready for strategic investment and rapid growth. ✔️ Corporate Partners: Engage with visionary founders to create strategic. Event Details: 🗓️ Date: 19th February 2025 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CET) ✅ Meeting Bookings Open: January 15th, 2025 💬 Seats are limited: don’t miss this opportunity to invest in innovation, shape the future of deeptech, and support gender diversity in technology leadership. 👉 Secure Your Spot Today: Register Here https://lnkd.in/dGyZPkNf AwakenHub are one of the core consortium partners delivering Women TechEU | Taking over from the sterling work carried out in the past by the European Commission, The Women TechEU project is currently being run by a consortium of partners from 8 countries across Europe with the EISMEA remaining its granting authority. The consortium partners cover all the expertise and geographies needed to reach over 15000 women entrepreneurs in deep tech from all over Europe. #WomenTechEU #DeepTech #Matchmaking #InvestmentOpportunities #DiversityInTech

Calling All Business Leaders Who Aim to Inspire, Engage and Equip Canada's Next Generation of Innovators Share Your Insight, Expertise and Experience at the Ingenium Innovation Challenge from May 3 to 5, 2024 in Canada's Capital · Learn More and Register: https://lnkd.in/ede29765 This event brings together creative young minds from across Canada (aged 18 to 35) who are passionate about tackling social issues. This year, they are tasked with creating a digital interactive that helps educate youth on the real-world impacts related to clean water and sanitation. It is a visionary goal that I am passionate about and one that is ideal as we prepare to celebrate Earth Day. The winning team will be awarded: · A financial prize in addition to a grant, in-kind funding, and mentorship guidance for the development of their proof-of-concept prototype into a marketable product for use by the general public. · Other prizes will also be awarded, including one Blue Futures Pathways Expedition, equivalent to $15,000 Ingenium is seeking industry leaders and partners who would like to contribute to this Innovation Challenge. Seize this unique opportunity and engage directly with prospective talent by: · Showcasing your company and its value proposition · Attending the networking session on the first day of the event; or · Participating as a judge for the final pitch session on the last day of the event. Meet some of Canada's most promising future innovators right here in Canada's Capital! Join us to connect with the next generation of leaders and make a real impact. As background, Ingenium creates a collaborative space where the past meets the future to celebrate creativity, discovery, and human ingenuity. One of Ottawa's many powerful tourist attractions and experiences, the Ingenium brand brings together three landmark museums in Canada's Capital: · The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum / Musée de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation du Canada; · The Canada Aviation and Space Museum / Musée de l’aviation et de l’espace du Canada; and · The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation (a favourite for my nephew Callan and I) Together, they provide a sensory experience that immerses young and old alike in the countless ways science and technology connect with Canadians’ everyday lives. For more information on Ingenium, this innovation challenge, and how to get involved, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ede29765 Invest Ottawa Futurpreneur Kanata North Business Association Hub350 Adam Miron, LL.D (hon), MBA Amelia Puddifer Jennifer Francis Julia Elvidge Katie LeClair SheBoot Capital Angel Network Karen Greve Young

Join us at #AOM2024 for a symposium on evaluation processes in entrepreneurship and innovation (Tu. August 13, 11:30-1 PM), with our brilliant discussant Yanbo Wang and brilliant presenters (details below). We showcase new research on how novel ideas are evaluated, most prominently within entrepreneurship, informing which new individuals, ventures, and ideas are allocated resources and how inequality is produced in the opportunity to participate in innovation. - Dana Kanze (Georgetown): “Do We Devalue Social? How Social Impact Shapes our Financial and Time Commitment to Training”, with Laura Giurge (LBS) - Simon (Seongbin) Yoon (UC-Irvine): “Evaluation Differences for Generalists across Multiple Hiring Stages,” with Ming D. Leung (UC-Irvine), Cristiano Bellavitis (Syracuse), and David Park (Syracuse) - Eliot Sherman (Georgetown): “Internal Venture or External Founding? Organizational Determinants of Gender Differences in Technology Enterprise,” with Weiyi Ng (National University of Singapore) - Ethan Poskanzer (Colorado-Boulder): “A Game of Chance? The Role of Luck in Evaluations of Entrepreneurial Ideas, with Tristan Botelho (Yale)” - Bradley Turner (MIT): “Pitching Yarns: Risks and Rewards of Narrative Pitching”   Sponsored by AOM Organization & Management Theory Division (OMT) and AOM TIM Division. For more program information, DM me, or see the AOM event link: https://cdmcd.co/9Wbw4d

🌍        Calling Tunisian companies, SMEs, startups, tech partners, and business associations interested in expanding operations or partnerships in the U.S. market!  Apply for the SelectUSA Investment Summit and connect with global companies, industry experts, and policymakers.  Benefit from strategy guidance, business meetings, valuable insights, and partnerships with industry leaders. Learn more and apply here:  https://lnkd.in/dWMvS6i 💡          Eligible startups and early-stage companies have the chance to participate in SelectUSA Tech, where they can network and showcase their tech products or services.  Selected startups can also apply for a pitching competition where they will present their ideas to a panel of judges consisting of venture capitalists, corporate investors, and industry experts. Learn more here:  https://lnkd.in/evhMCiQ 👩💼         Tech sector women founders, entrepreneurs, and executives are also invited to apply for the SelectUSA Global Women in Tech (SGWIT) program.  This year-long mentorship network, kicking off at the summit, connects global women tech leaders with experienced mentors in the U.S. startup ecosystem. Learn more here:  https://lnkd.in/eB4pUVQU To express your interest in joining the U.S. Embassy’s Tunisian delegation, please click here: https://lnkd.in/dSku7bwX

As we step into 2025, BetterStories Limited reflects on a transformative 2024, marked by growth, collaboration, and innovation. This year was especially meaningful as we celebrated our 15th Anniversary, reflecting on our journey as a future-proofing agency. A three-day strategy retreat, led by Chief Storyteller Minhaz Anwar, enabled the team to envision the organization’s future. The year began with the SouthAsiaTech Founders’ Reception, fostering collaboration across South Asia’s vibrant startup ecosystem. Building on this momentum, our mentorship efforts shone through events like the Hult Prize ULAB and Huawei’s Women in Tech Incubation Bootcamp, inspiring young minds and future female leaders to create impactful, tech-driven solutions. Minhaz Anwar also joined as a judge at the Youth Co:Lab Springboard Final Pitch 6.0, lending his expertise to support innovative social impact initiatives. Beyond mentorship, our focus group discussions in Cox’s Bazar sparked collaborative opportunities among humanitarian practitioners. The TekSHOI Humanitarian Knowledge Hub and its promotion at the SheRAA Launch Ceremony reinforced our commitment to knowledge-sharing and fostering impactful development initiatives. Global partnerships further flourished in 2024, with the Global Spark Canada initiative empowering students worldwide to tackle pressing challenges. We also played a role at Nepal’s GIREE Alliance write-shop, promoting collaboration and inclusion, and participated in the Max Social Enterprise workshop in Bangladesh, addressing sustainable water and hygiene solutions. Additionally, impactful programs like the IMM Booster Workshop, Founders’ Office Hours, and the TekSHOI Media Fellowship allowed us to empower journalists and entrepreneurs to shape narratives and drive meaningful change. Minhaz Anwar’s role as a panel moderator on women-led ventures at ANDE South Asia Convening 2024 added another highlight to a year of inspiring dialogue and collaboration. As 2024 concludes, BetterStories celebrates the partners, clients, and community that fueled these achievements. We look forward to a 2025 filled with innovation, growth, and impactful collaborations. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!