We are bringing you the latest innovation challenges worldwide.
Carefully selected by us. Click each image to learn more.
health
New Formulations for Approved mRNA Vaccines
As we enter the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccinations provide hope that the world will soon be back to normal. Vaccines that are based upon messenger RNA (mRNA) technology require two shots spaced several weeks apart for optimal efficacy. Therefore, the Seeker for this Challenge is interested in a new vaccine formulation that confers the same level of protection with a single injection. Unlike traditional vector vaccines that are based upon modified forms of a live virus, mRNA vaccines contain instructions that allow the host cell to produce and display a harmless spike protein on its surface, thus triggering an antibody response. These vaccines often require extreme cold storage and multiple doses for full efficacy.
creative
Stronger Democracy Award
In 1958, 73% of Americans trusted the government to do what's right. A 2020 survey that only 17% of Americans now believe this. What can we do to strengthen America's democracy and increase public trust in the government to create real change? Lever for Change are looking for solutions to support actionable change in voting & elections, policy-making, and civic engagement. Access to a $12 Million fund will help to bring the best initiatives to the largest audience.
sciencehealth
Affordable Water Harvesting for Low-Income Households in Urban Areas
Over 35% of Mexico City residents do not have consistent access to clean water, despite the high rainfall in the region. Habitat for Humanity is looking for new and innovative solutions to collect and purify rainwater to help create a more equitable water system. Your solution could win you $25,000 and be used across low-income housing worldwide!
science
Future Food Tech
Switching to a plant-based diet is one of the best choices you can make to help protect our environment. Vegan protein alternatives make this transition easier! Quorn and Roquette, two of the biggest vegetarian/vegan food companies in the world, are looking for new innovations in plant-based foods. Could you have what it takes?
data
EU Datathon 2021
The fifth edition of EU Datathon, the open data competition, is here! Online from Luxembourg to the world, it is organised by the Publications Office of the European Union as part of the first EU Open Data Days which includes also EU DataViz.
Mask Innovation Challenge
Face coverings are essential for protection against COVID-19, but frustrations with prolonged wear can limit their use, including contact dermatitis, difficulty communicating, and fogging of eyeglasses. The US Department of Health and Human Services are looking for new and innovative mask designs that address the common complaints associated with face coverings while still meeting desired performance standards.
Longitude Prize: Reduce the Use of Antibiotics
In order to tackle growing levels of antimicrobial resistance, the challenge set for the Longitude Prize is to invent an affordable, accurate, fast and easy-to-use test for bacterial infections that will allow health professionals worldwide to administer the right antibiotics at the right time. The Longitude Prize is a historic and legendary prize with a £10 Million fund to solve today's biggest issues. Do you have what it takes?
sciencedata
Designing and Developing a Smart Helmet
Operators performing work on low voltage (LV) electric systems must wear protective clothing and equipment. In particular, the helmet is designed to protect users from accidental injury caused by electrical and nonelectrical hazards. Working conditions can include high temperatures and humidity, making the helmet difficult to wear for extended periods. Recent advances in sensor technology (wearable devices) and augmented reality have made it possible for operators to work in safer conditions, and Enel has experimented with several solutions to implement those solutions for its field workers. Therefore, Enel is interested in developing a comfortable smart helmet that offers the same level of mechanical and electrical protection as a standard helmet. Do you have ideas for new and innovative PPE for electrical safety? Enter today!
True Design Challenge
How would you design your dream kitchen? Signature Kitchen Suite Appliances is looking for professional designers to share their best designs with a chance to win their share of $100,000 and attend their Awards Gala in California. Let your imagination run wild with rustic, contemporary, and traditional design styles incorporating SKS products! Find out more at the link below!
business
Startup City Cahul
EUForMoldova is contributing to development through innovation. The city of Cahul will become the first "Startup City" in the southern region of the Republic of Moldova.
Malaria Prevention Challenge
In Kenya, there are an estimated 3.5 million cases and over 10,000 deaths from malaria per year. Mosquito-borne diseases can be prevented with pesticides and medication, but access to these tools in rural or impoverished areas is limited. Habitat for Humanity is looking for innovations in home design and home life that can prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, cutting down on transmission rates and reducing the impact of this devastating illness on the public. Your innovative, cost-effective solutions could win you $20,000 - enter before 7 June 2021!
Deep Space Food Challenge
Order up in space! Join the Deep Space Food Challenge to help bring innovative food production technologies to space and Earth! NASA and the Canadian Space Agency have teamed up to look for food for the next frontier, focusing on long-duration space missions. Recognition and ideation prizes are available to teams in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Market Sentiment Analysis
Fancy yourself as a computer whiz?... Maybe you’re au faut with the steel industry?... Or better yet, handy with mathematical algorithms?
Innovation for Decommissioning Fuel Storage Tanks
The fight against climate change is currently one of the main challenges that companies have to face. Enel is at the forefront of driving the effort towards a sustainable energy system in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for Climate Action, which is at the heart of its strategy. To reach this goal, Enel Global Power Generation will leverage innovative solutions to dismantle coal power plants in a safe and sustainable way. In particular, Enel Global Power Generation is looking for a new technical solution to dismantle big fuel storage tanks, avoiding manual cutting activities and working at heights.
Naturals Exposome Microbiome
Walgreen Boots Alliance are looking for skincare solutions - partner with the largest pharmacy-led retail chain in the US and UK! The Walgreen Boots Alliance are looking for breakthrough technologies and differentiated products for skincare in four key areas:
Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires
The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) know the severe environmental impacts of wildfires, risking personal and public health. They are looking for new and innovative ways to improve air quality during wildfires for use across federal, state, local, and tribal levels. Air pollution, including smoke from wildfires, contributes to substantial adverse clinical, public health and economic impacts worldwide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to encourage the development of new, low-cost approaches to clean fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from indoor air. In addition to affordability and particulate matter removal, solutions that offer added benefits (e.g., cooling, operable during a power outage) will be considered favorably.
ACHEMA Water Management Challenge
MAIN-Hack is primarily about your creativity and about linking existing or evolving technologies with each other and developing completely new approaches to water management. Participants in MAIN-Hack have the opportunity to build their professional network and gain visibility with their solutions and ideas. Sponsored by Technologieland Hessen, this Hackathon is now open for your solutions!
ACHEMA Open Innovation Challenge
Successful machine learning in an industrial environment requires cleaned and labeled datasets. In daily practice, this is simply not the case, i.e. most collected datasets are "dirty" and need to be pre-processed manually by experts. The ACHEMA Open Innovation Challenge presents the opportunity for your team to develop an intelligent pipeline to automate the task of industrial data preprocessing. Join the June 2021 Hackathon with the opportunity to put your skills to work and collaborate with manufacturing partners across the EU!
Read more about Global Crowd's work worldwide.
Reasons to Be a Solver: Contribute to a Better World
On Global Crowd we are proud to be publishing our #ReasonsToBeASolver series! Across a series of blog posts, we are investigating the best reasons to become a Solver and put your mind to work in a challenge. Whether you're already an experienced Solver or just thinking about getting involved in innovation, this series will be full of advice and helpful hints!
Deirdre Sheridan
The School of Good Ideas: Lesson #2
Many good ideas arise from something pre-existing; the technology has been created, but there are opportunities for new applications or the technology does not yet exist. The observation of problems can be found in everyday life. Let's start thinking about how the things we do every day can be done better. Here are our best 7 tips for identifying your best ideas and opportunities!
Daniela Valenzuela
Our Reality: Bounce Back
COVID-19 has had severe impacts on our economy and society.