Samsung UK has announced the semi-finalists in its ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ competition. The competition, open to young people ages 16-25, is running for the second time in the UK, with the aim to find, fuel and celebrate the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. For the last four months the competition has received applications from teams from across the country, sharing their ideas on how tech could help solve a significant societal challenge within one of four key areas; education, sustainability, social isolation or diversity, equity and inclusion.

Applicants to the competition took inspiration from Samsung’s free public resources, including four CPD accredited online courses, hosted on Future Learn, and a variety of ‘Future Talk’ events hosted at Samsung KX throughout 2021. Both the online courses and talks brought together leading UK voices using technology as a central tool to pioneer change within their communities.

Selected semi-finalists will take part in a programme of workshops, coaching and 121 mentoring delivered in partnership with Digital Catapult, the UK’s authority on advanced digital technology. Over the next two months, the semi-finalists will explore the fundamentals of design-thinking, develop a core understanding of emerging digital technologies and develop their initial ideas to submit to the next round of judging where five teams will be selected as finalists to present to a panel of industry experts on the 27th June 2022.

Underpinned by Samsung’s CSR vision ‘Together For Tomorrow! Enabling People’, Samsung recognises the individuality of the learning process and aims to inspire and support a diverse cohort of young people to share their passions outside of the traditional education system. The Solve for Tomorrow competition aims to empower participants with the confidence, connections and capabilities to expedite their ideas, careers and ambitions.

Commenting on the announcement, Sophie Edgerley Harris, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK shares:

“Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that young people’s drive to create a better world for all has only got stronger. It is a privilege to offer Solve for Tomorrow as a platform to help young people to develop their skills and ideas to use tech for good. We are committed to developing their confidence, helping to connect them as part of a community of change makers and supporting them to explore their own purpose. We are excited to be a part of our semi-finalists’ journey as they undertake their mentoring to build out their ideas and progress to the next phase of the programme.”

Geraldina Iraheta, Chief Commercial Officer at Digital Catapult, added:

“It’s completely inspiring to see the younger generation stepping up and creating innovative solutions to some of the more complex problems society faces. The Solve for Tomorrow shortlist is an outstanding representation of the entrepreneurial spirit here in the UK. We’re thrilled to support Samsung for the second year running with Solve for Tomorrow, and look forward to working with the semi-finalists on developing their skills and ideas to harness the power of advanced digital technology for a better future.”

The winning team for Solve for Tomorrow, will be announced at the final pitch event on 27th June 2022, and will be awarded a cash prize of a £10,000 plus a further six months of support from Samsung and Digital Catapult to help them realise the scope of their ideas. Runners up in the competition will receive additional prizes and Samsung products.

To find out more about the ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ competition, visit: www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow