THE 2020 Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC) workshops kick off this week as part of this year’s competition.
The YIC is an annual programme of Innovate Durban, held in partnership with various organisations. The purpose of the YIC is to create a platform for innovation to thrive, by empowering citizens, particularly the youth, to become innovative in their communities and in business.
Innovate Durban received 110 group entries (259 applicants) and shortlisted this to 102 participants and 46 groups.
Organisers are looking forward to running the (in part) virtual workshops and are busy finalising preparations.
This year, following the workshops, participants will also benefit from using the specialised tools and equipment at the Innovation Co-Lab (based in Cato Manor) to develop their prototype.
During the workshops, partners Software AG will be training participants on their suite of software for use in the development of their solution, Adams&Adams will be providing valuable advice around legal issues, copyrights and Intellectual Property, Domino Foundation will inspire participants to ‘Innovate for Social Good’ and Zutari (formerly Aurecon) will skill participants in Design Thinking Principles.
ALSO READ: Innovators awarded in challenge
In addition to the impressive programme and support during the workshops, the top three winning groups will receive various prizes, including seed funding to further develop their innovation should they choose to pursue it. Winners will also receive an opportunity to be part of the Start-up Support Programme providing them with business and technical skills to take their idea to market.
This year Innovate Durban is working with Lunga Madlala, chief digital officer at eThekwini Municipality, to present youth with the task of finding solutions outlined by the Smart City Pillars – tackling six challenges that speak to these pillars. These challenges focus on Smart Government, Smart Environment, Smart Living, Smart Infrastructure, Smart Economy and Smart People.
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Contact Amy Benn at Innovate Durban on 073 964 8469 or amy@innovate.durban.
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