The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025, powered by Unloc and Verizon, returns with an exciting new edition aimed at ambitious youth across Europe. This competition offers young innovators, aged 16-25, a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas and win funding to bring their visions to life.
What is the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025?
The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC) provides young individuals with the chance to transform their ideas into successful businesses. Sponsored by Verizon, a global leader in technology and communications, and organized by Unloc, a social enterprise dedicated to youth empowerment, the competition supports aspiring entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and funding to help them succeed.
Why Should You Enter?
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- Win Major Prizes: The competition offers a €10,000 grant to invest in your startup or business idea, along with mentorship from top industry leaders.
- Exposure and Networking Opportunities: Finalists will gain access to a network of entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, opening doors for collaboration and growth.
- Build Essential Skills: Participants will develop crucial entrepreneurial skills, including pitching, marketing, business development, and innovation—essential for succeeding in the competitive startup world.
- Focus on Sustainability and Social Impact: The 2025 challenge encourages ideas that address environmental sustainability and social challenges, reflecting the growing need for purpose-driven businesses.
How to Enter the Challenge
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- Eligibility: The competition welcomes individuals or teams of up to five people, aged 16-25, residing in Europe.
- Submit Your Idea: To enter, submit a 60-second pitch video along with a brief description of your business idea on the YEC platform.
- Judging Criteria: Judges will evaluate ideas based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and impact, with a strong focus on ideas that address social or environmental issues.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: Submissions are open until February 28, 2025.
- Finalists Announced: In March 2025, selected finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges.
- Grand Finale: The live final event, where the winner will be crowned, is set to take place in April 2025.
Why Unloc and Verizon?
Unloc, with its mission to inspire the next generation, is perfectly aligned with Verizon‘s commitment to innovation and social responsibility. Together, they have created a competition that not only supports young entrepreneurs financially but also provides them with the tools and mentorship to succeed long-term.
Get Involved
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with a bold new idea or a startup founder looking to scale, the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025 is your chance to shine. Submit your entry, showcase your vision, and take your first step toward becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Unlock your potential and drive change with Unloc and Verizon’s Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your idea into reality and make a lasting impact on the world.
