Deadline: 15-Jan-23
For the 5th Edition, Youth Co: Lab 2022-23 is looking to support passionate youth entrepreneurs with solutions that solve real problems and/or create meaningful innovation opportunities.
Youth Co:Lab, co-created in 2017 by UNDP Asia and the Pacific and Citi Foundation is a multi-dimensional and multi-level response to tackle the challenges young people face by positioning youth front and center to find solutions to today’s most pressing problems.
In India, Youth Co: Lab was launched in 2019 by UNDP India in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. Through this collaboration Youth Co: Lab India has conducted four national theme-specific youth social innovation and entrepreneurship challenges, including several forms of engagement such as panels, workshops, dialogues, and webinars. Youth Co: Lab in India and regionally also supports social entrepreneurs through a long-term incubation programme, with selected entrepreneurs representing India at the regional summit.
Themes
- Digital and Financial Literacy for Youth
- Gender Equality and Women Economic Empowerment
- Developing FinTech Solutions focused on Biodiversity Conservation
- Promoting Biodiversity-friendly Lifestyles through Technological Solutions in Finance
- Accelerating Circular Economy through Upcycling Innovations
- Behavioral Nudges for LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)
Programme Learnings and Outcomes
- Shortlisted teams undergo an intensive, time-bound National Springboard Program implemented by UNDP and AIM which will equip them with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, have knowledge sessions to robustify their business, and provide opportunities to connect with mentors, incubators, investors, and government
- A chance to get selected for the Youth Co: Lab Regional Springboard program and represent India at the Youth Co: Lab Regional Summit
- Opportunity to incubate and strengthen their ideas/solution/product with team support
- Selected best-performing teams will be provided with a seed grant
Eligibility criteria to participate in Youth Co:Lab 2022-23
- Early stage startups led by Indian youth aged between 18 to 29 years
- Have a prototype/product/service concept centered on the themes of Youth Co:Lab 2022-23
- The startup/team, if incorporated, should be less than 5 years old, i.e. the incorporation of the founding team/startup should be during or after December 2017.
- They encourage:
- Ideas / solutions that are viable and scalable
- Startup teams led by Women, LGBTIQA, PWDs and Tribal youth. Therefore, for them, the age limit of the founders is extended up to 32 years
For more information, visit Atal Innovation Mission.