New York, USA – Generation Unlimited (GenU), Accenture, USAID, and partners announced today the global winners of imaGen Ventures, a programme empowering young people with the skills and opportunities to drive social and green entrepreneurship, address the SDGs, and create a more sustainable future.

In its fourth edition, implemented with Accenture, UNICEF, UNDP, USAID, Scouts and Plan International, imaGen Ventures welcomed the participation of over 40,000 aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds with a shared passion for positive social change. Through a grassroots, community-based approach, young people were trained to tackle their community’s toughest challenges and co-design ventures that have real relevance and impact.

Host countries undergo local bootcamps and incubation where teams employ a human-centered design approach to craft solutions. Local winners progress to secure seed funding and mentoring for idea testing. They later pitch to a global jury for a chance for additional funding and access to a global acceleration process, turning their visions into reality.

The proposals were evaluated for equity, effectiveness, and relevance by 80 judges from 50+ countries representing all industries (NGOs, youth-led organizations, private sector, government, entrepreneurs) with half of them being under 30.

The groundbreaking ventures of the 10 winning teams span solutions in green energy, food security innovations, robotics, biomimetic transformation, wearables and assistive technology, eco-conscious meat production, clean energy infrastructure, and socially responsible recycling.

With mentoring and seed funding of up to $10,000 USD, the ten winning teams will have the resources, technical support, mentorship, and incubation they need to bring their entrepreneurial ventures to fruition.

Now more than ever—as the global threats of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are putting nearly every young person and child at risk—the world needs young people’s ideas, talents and energy to shape more sustainable and resilient communities. imaGen Ventures recognizes that this starts with helping young people create sustainable livelihoods and learning-to-earning pathways for themselves and for those they may employ through entrepreneurial ventures.

By providing the right blend of skills, opportunities, and financial support, imaGen Ventures empowers young people to be powerful partners bringing about a more sustainable and equitable world.

The winning teams are now slated to undergo a comprehensive programme designed to accelerate their growth along their incubation journey. Expert mentors from diverse industries will guide them through critical aspects such as business development, marketing strategies, and sustainable practices, fostering a holistic approach to address the SDGs. Additionally, the teams will have exclusive access to a network of international partners, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs, providing invaluable opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and potential investment avenues.

1. Uganda – Erudites Movement

Erudites Movement is enabling households in Uganda to switch to green energy by providing them with clean and renewable energy generated from recycled water hyacinth.  The venture is revitalizing communities along Lake Victoria in Uganda impacted by water hyacinth, an invasive weed that has significantly diminished local livelihoods by reducing fish yields and degrading water quality. Focused on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kampala, Uganda, Erudites actively harvests water hyacinth, converting it into valuable resources such as renewable cooking energy, organic fertilizers, and animal feeds.

This initiative not only addresses environmental challenges but also creates economic opportunities for affected communities. Erudites Movement is as a sustainable solution, promoting income diversification, enhancing agricultural productivity in fisheries, and providing access to clean energy while restoring the delicate ecological balance of Lake Victoria.

The team said: “Our vision is a future where this invasive weed becomes a source of prosperity, restoring the environment and improving livelihoods (…) With our venture, communities living along water hyacinth-infested areas will not only have improved fish yields, and access to safe water for human consumption but also reduced the prevalence of diseases such as malaria because hyacinth acts as breeding places for the mosquitoes. There will also be a creation of green jobs, especially during the harvesting, processing and packaging of our products.”

2. Turkiye – Charify

Charify, developed by two STEM-dedicated girls, is a sustainable and low-cost water filter material produced from waste tangerine and banana peels, designed to efficiently absorb heavy metals in wastewater. It is a promising solution to the global heavy metal water pollution crisis. Heavy metals, known for their persistent toxicity, pose extensive threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Charify repurposes banana and tangerine peels to create a powerful adsorbent through a chemical process known as hydrothermal carbonization. Charify’s distinctiveness lies in its ability to utilize a widely available waste resource to deliver results.

Focusing on agriculture, where bioaccumulation poses a significant threat, Charify integrates filters to ensure healthy irrigation practices and sustainable agricultural production. Boasting a 95% removal efficiency for up to three months, Charify offers confidence in its effectiveness, with subscription-based companies benefiting from maintenance and repair services. This not only addresses the pollution crisis but also contributes to responsible resource management and accessible clean water for all budgets.

The team said: “Charify aspires to bridge the gap between developed and developing nations, where water pollution disproportionately affects marginalized communities (…) we firmly believe in the healing power of nature. We are confident that the success of our social venture will pave the way for present and future generations to access clean water.”

3. Egypt – EcoStraw

Eco Straw turns rice straw waste into valuable resources, producing high-quality ethanol and organic fertilizer through advanced fermentation technology which reduce air pollution, and provide farmers with a new source of income by purchasing their rice straw. Ecostraw partners with farmers to collect and process it using advanced fermentation technology.

In doing so, Ecostraw yields two products: First, a high-quality ethanol—a clean-burning fuel applicable in pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Second, an organic fertilizer, a natural soil enhancer that improves crop quality and reduces the need for harmful chemical fertilizers. Operating in areas like Cairo, where rice straw burning leads to the notorious “black cloud,” the venture reduces air pollution and enhances respiratory health in affected communities. At the same time, Ecostraw empowers farmers by providing a new income source through the purchase of rice straw while creating job opportunities for the youth within its production and management processes.

The team said: “Our goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in ethanol and bio fertilizer production, believing that the key to a brighter future for Africa lies within the untapped potential of rice straw production. We aim for creating a ripple effect of positive change. Efficiently using rice straw unlocks opportunities and promotes job creation.”

4. Lebanon – BreedinGo

BreedinGo is revolutionizing the approach to wheat farming, tackling the pressing issues of food security and rising bread prices by equipping greenhouses with ‘speed breeding’ techniques and robotic control systems, redefining the conventional agricultural cycle. BreedinGo’s mission is to make nutritious meals affordable for families with limited income. By utilizing “speed breeding” techniques and robotic control systems within greenhouses, the team can yield up to six wheat crops per year, significantly increasing production compared to traditional methods. Thesolution directly addresses food security, high bread prices, and economic challenges. And the team is committed to employing at least 50% women, particularly those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The team said: “We envision a world where nutritious food is accessible to all, regardless of their financial circumstances. BreedinGo aims to redefine wheat farming, demonstrating that advanced technology and sustainable practices can alleviate poverty, ensure food security, and promote gender equality. Our success would lead to improved health, economic stability, and empowered communities.”

5. Mexico – Ovejas Ecofriendly

Ovejas Ecofriendly focuses on the ecologically responsible production of lamb through strategies to optimize production performance, contributing to the generation of economically viable livestock systems and supporting financially vulnerable sectors without overlooking the five freedoms of animal wellbeing. The venture centres on the belief that optimal animal nutrition brings about advantages such as enhanced productivity, improved animal health and welfare, and diminished environmental impacts in livestock production.

Implemented through a five-phase technological package, the project involves connecting with sheep farmers, assessing each farm’s situation, balancing sheep diets, and evaluating interventions. The primary goals include boosting productivity and profitability for sheep farmers, promoting animal welfare, and curbing the environmental impact of sheep production by addressing enteric methane emissions, a major contributor to greenhouse gases from livestock.

The team said: “Our goal is to increase the productivity of sheep flocks through the application of nutritional optimization strategies, contributing to the creation of socio-economically viable and ecologically responsible livestock systems. In addition, promoting animal welfare and strengthening the sense of community among the most vulnerable livestock producers.”

6. Ghana – CTN Technologies

CTN Technologies is an EdTech company shaping Africa’s future workforce through cutting-edge training in robotics, 3D printing and modeling, and drone technology. Focused on youth, especially girls and underserved communities, the venture’s programmes impart cutting-edge skills in areas like robotics, coding, and 3D modeling, making young people more employable and future-ready. With over 450 successfully trained individuals securing jobs and internships, CTN is reshaping Africa’s workforce, fostering inclusivity, and empowering the next generation for a brighter future. This not only uplifts individuals and communities but also contributes to economic growth and innovation across Africa, gradually contributing to more inclusive and technologically proficient environments all across Africa.

The team said: The challenge we’ve identified in Africa, specifically in Ghana, is the stark inequality in access to training and opportunities in emerging technologies. In Ghana, this problem is even more pronounced and exacerbated by persistent economic disparities, especially in underprivileged areas. At CTN Technologies, we are motivated to confront this challenge head-on because we firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves an opportunity to thrive in the digital age. We’re driven by a passion for ensuring equitable access to these transformative technologies.”

7. Bangladesh – BD Highway Turbine

BD Highway Turbine is developing an intelligent vertical axis wind turbine to transform coastal areas and highways into renewable energy resources with zero environmental effect. The BD Highway Turbine uses a vertical axis technology to tap into the immense power generated by fast-moving vehicles on our roads, such as trucks and buses, ingeniously harnessing the wind pressure to create clean and renewable energy. Unlike conventional horizontal wind turbines, which produce noise and pose environmental threats to flying wildlife, the vertical turbines employed by BD Highway Turbine offer a promising solution to these challenges. What’s more, BD Highway Turbine proves to be an ideal use case for solar energy. Wind and solar exhibit natural opposing patterns during energy generation, making them a perfect combination to ensure a continuous and reliable power supply, especially when solar power may not be as effective during nighttime or winter seasons.

The team said: “Our vision is to develop a new way to use renewable energy. BD Highway Turbine will generate energy using the winds created by the vehicles and the natural winds. We aim to contribute to the global trend towards green energy and reduce the dependency on non-renewable sources.”

8. India – Blind Eye

Blind Eye is an innovative wearable assistive device that empowers the visually impaired towards greater self-dependence. This hands-free device provides guidance, reads in multiple languages, recognizes individuals and their expressions, and informs users about their surroundings. It offers a comprehensive experience, detecting objects and conveying real-time information. With tap control audio and magnetic rechargeability, Blind Eye becomes an indispensable companion for the blind, promoting ease of use and efficient functionality.

The team said: “Our vision is to create a world where visually impaired individuals experience enhanced independence, inclusivity, and access to information. We aspire to empower them with a sense of confidence and freedom in their daily lives. Ultimately, our goal is to foster a society that values diversity and inclusivity, where every individual, regardless of their visual abilities, can lead a fulfilling life.”

9. South Africa – ReCha

Recycling Champions is a socially responsible enterprise & waste sourcing and collection franchise model turning waste into livelihoods. ReCha aims to bridge the gap in the waste management and recycling industry in South Africa, with a goal to increase recycling rates, reduce waste in landfills, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote local economic growth.

The venture recruits participants who are interested in running a micro waste management buy-back centres, providing them with Technical and Business training, and providing start-up and business support to those who meet the qualifying criteria to operate their buy-back centre. Some 60 micro waste management buy-back centres over a period of 18 months will be set up in Mitchell’s Plain, Strandfontein, Khayelitsha and fringes of Philippi where communities can bring their various commodities in exchange for cash. By doing this, the venture not only create the largest network of micro waste management buy-back centres, they also divert 13.4M kg of waste from landfills and create and sustain 1500 livelihoods through economic opportunities. This essentially allows unemployed youth in the area to become entrepreneurs, become self-sustaining, earn an income and contribute to local socio-economic development.

The team said: “We believe that poverty is created by design and that the socio-economic landscape can be changed through systemic change and inclusive innovation and economic development. Our goal is to increase recycling rates, reduce waste in landfills, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote local economic growth in South Africa and globally.”

10. Iraq – Psychyar

Psychyar is a mental health platform and application developed by medical college students in Iraq that connects patients to mental healthcare professionals. Daroondost. The platform connects people to a network of professionals, offering features such as appointment booking, location-based mental health resources, and personalized recommendations for personal growth through podcasts and books.

Targeting people of all ages in Iraq initially, Daroondost plans a gradual expansion across Kurdistan and Iraq, focusing on discreet remote consultations to eliminate stigma. Daroondost’s uniqueness lies in its exclusive emphasis on mental health services and a commitment to regional expansion with a trust-building approach. The platform encourages doctor participation through flexible subscription plans, ensuring the participation of a diverse pool of mental health professionals. The venture provides crucial support to those in need and reshaping perceptions of mental health in Iraq and beyond.

The team said: “Untreated mental health problems can lead to a decline in an individual’s overall well-being, hinder personal growth, and strain relationships. Our project’s vision is to transform mental health support in Iraq. We aspire to break down barriers to access and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.”