In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to communicate effectively is more important than ever. In an ever mutating and developing digital world, young people more than ever benefit from understanding how to engage with others and with new topics, and how to effectively discuss and communicate with one another. Whether delivering a presentation, leading a discussion, or debating a controversial issue, the skills they can develop now help shape their future.

That’s where our Unloc Public Speaking & Debating Short Course comes in—a comprehensive 12-week program designed to empower students to master the art of communication.

Our offers a perfect balance of skills development and hands-on practice. Over the course of 12 weeks, students gain confidence, refine their communication abilities, and immerse themselves in structured debates on current and relevant topics. The program blends interactive, workshop-style learning with the opportunity to engage in debates on hot, current and sometimes controversial issues – preparing students not just for exams, but for life after school.

This course is more than just an academic exercise. It’s a powerful tool for personal development that helps students build essential employability skills like public speaking, listening, and effective argumentation. Through the act of debating, students also enhance their critical thinking abilities and gain a deeper understanding of societal issues. These are the very skills that employers and universities look for in candidates, and they’ll set students apart in an increasingly competitive world.

For schools and colleges interested in fostering competitive debating teams or simply giving students the opportunity to learn these invaluable skills, Unloc’s Public Speaking & Debating Short Course offers the ideal foundation. It introduces students to the art of debating, preparing them for potential future debate meets, where they’ll represent their institution with confidence and poise.

The programme is designed to cater to both beginners and those with prior experience. Whether just starting, or looking to refine their existing speaking and debating skills, our expert Facilitators will guide your students or young people every step of the way.

One of the standout aspects of this course is its focus on student voice. Debating isn’t just about winning arguments – it’s about providing young people with a platform to discuss issues they care about and think critically about different perspectives. Throughout the course, students will debate topics ranging from current affairs to ethical dilemmas, allowing them to explore the complexities of the world around them while learning to communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively.

This creative outlet helps students grow not only as speakers but as thinkers. It’s a space where they can develop their own personal voice, strengthen their convictions, and refine their ability to listen, understand, and react appropriately to opposing viewpoints.

The programme covers a wide range of essential skills that are critical for effective public speaking and debating. Some of the key areas they’ll explore include:

At its core, public speaking and debating are about more than just talking in front of a crowd—they’re about developing the critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills that are vital in almost every aspect of life. Whether in the classroom, at a job interview, or in a professional setting, the ability to articulate your thoughts and engage in meaningful dialogue is a skill that will serve you for years to come.

Unloc’s Public Speaking & Debating Short Course isn’t just about learning how to win arguments—it’s about preparing students for a future where they can engage with the world around them thoughtfully and effectively. With expert guidance and a hands-on approach, students will leave the program with a stronger voice, a sharper mind, and the confidence to tackle any challenge that comes their way.

So, if you’re looking for a programme to develop your students’ communication skills, engage with the world’s most pressing issues, and set them up for success in school, work, and beyond, Unloc’s Public Speaking & Debating Short Course is the perfect course to learn new skills and strengthen existing abilities.

Two of the UK’s leading education specialists are joining forces to ensure young people across the country receive the very highest standard of Student Governance training available. Unloc are working together with the highly respected Further Education specialists Rockborn in order to roll out an in-depth programme of events, training and bootcamps for the UK’s Student Governors.

The recently developed Student Governor Changemaker Programme takes young Governors on a personal development changemaker journey. Not talking at them, lobbying them with historical practice or overwhelming them with knowledge, but working with them at ground level upwards, supporting student governors on their next steps, whilst empowering them to be the best they can be in their roles using tangible training and skills  – empowering them both as governors and future leaders.

Award winning organisation Unloc have long championed, supported and invested in Student Governors across the FE sector, most notably through their dedicated training and support programmes, student voice workshops, and in-depth governance training for young people.  Their mission to create, empower and grow young changemakers has seen them go from strength to strength over the past few years, building a strong reputation for excellence in the education sector, and launching their own Unloc Changemaker Alliance bringing leading businesses together to create opportunities and level the playing field for young people.

Rockborn boast an impressive track record of success as management and governance consultants in the Further Education sector, long supporting Further Education boards through governance reviews, training, consultancy and project managing mergers in the sector. Rockborn are sector experts with directors and associates having held positions as College Principals, Chief Executives, HR Directors, Marketing Consultants, organisational change leaders, and governance professionals. Their strong belief in the transformational power of Further Education aligns perfectly with Unloc’s mission to empower young people and the next generation, with both organisations understanding the responsibility that goes with such a goal.

Both organisations are experts at cultivating exceptional learning environments, working with staff, boards and young leaders to develop rich and vibrant educational spaces that allow young people to flourish. This partnership initiative builds upon Unloc’s experience with governance training, then elevates and expands it to new heights that allows for a multi-regional offer, reaching more students around the country than ever before.

Our Student Governor training provides young changemakers with a wealth of skills and the very best in training for young leaders entering into their new role.

The programme will provide the most comprehensive and expansive personal development programme possible, giving college students in a governance position access to dynamic opportunities which include Changemaker Summits run in different locations across the country, building the tangible key skills required to have impact and drive change in their college.

Student Governors will also have access to a series of 3 online digital masterclasses focused on developing students’ wider skill-sets as student leaders and changemakers. Each session will last 90 minutes with a guest speaker and accompanying workshop topics, including Finding Your Leadership Style, Communication, Motivation and Influencing Others and Running Effective Campaigns.

Young Student Governors at one of Unloc’s events to develop their skills as Governors.

Delegates will also be invited to The Student Governor Destinations Conference, a one-day event in London held towards the end of the academic year. They’ll explore ‘what next?’ in their Changemaker journey, whether that’s taking their learnings into a second term, or utilising all they’ve learnt as a Student Governor post-College. 

They’ll also hear from ex-Student Governors turned changemakers at a national and global level; exploring how to maximise their impact in the next phase of their lives, an ongoing changemaker journey.

Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:

“We simply couldn’t ask for a better partner than Rockborn for our Student Governor Changemaker Programme. Rockborn, as an organisation, has such a strong commitment to creating the highest level of outcomes for young people, and a deep understanding of the education space that we work within.”

“The events being held throughout the year will provide young Student Governors with a wealth of high quality training that sets them on their first steps into leadership, and empowers them with the skills and knowledge they need to impact positive change. Working with Rockborn we’re able to deliver such a high standard of support to these young changemakers in the making, we’re so excited to roll these events out and see them in action.”

Rockborn’s Company Director Peter Ryder said:

“We are really pleased to have created this partnership with Unloc. We share a deep commitment to FE, to the importance of Governance, the Student Voice and the development of young people. We have always seen our role as supporting FE and this is an opportunity to reinforce and develop that commitment. We are excited about the opportunities ahead.”

Student Governors embracing their new role at one of Unloc’s historic training events

The voice of young people in Portsmouth is a top priority for 16 year old Maheep Kaur, a member of Portsmouth’s Youth Cabinet and the city’s elected Member of UK Youth Parliament. Maheep recently met with two local Members of Parliament, Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, and Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, to discuss the important issues impacting young people in the city.

In October, Maheep met with Stephen Morgan MP to discuss the Youth Cabinet’s priorities, as well as the concerns raised by local young people through their recent surveys and consultations. As Portsmouth MYP Maheep makes it a top priority to understand in-depth the issues and challenges that young people in the city face, as well as hearing their thoughts on how those obstacles and situations can be overcome. 

Maheep commented: 

The meeting was extremely pleasing, I really enjoyed it! I appreciated how Stephen adjusted his busy schedule to meet with me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to discuss ideas and actions that can make a real difference for young people. I was really excited when Stephen offered me the chance to spend a day with him. I’m looking forward to experiencing this and to experience what his day looks like as a MP.”

The in-depth discussion covered many topics that young people care about, and also allowed Stephen to discuss his priorities as both an MP and Minister, particularly his work on establishing Youth Hubs across the city. The meeting provided an opportunity for Maheep to engage in a productive dialogue around the initiatives that are most important to the young people that she engages with on a daily basis.

Maheep meets with MP Stephen Morgan at Unloc’s Changemaker Studios: Portsmouth space

MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan said:

“It’s been really helpful to hear from Maheep about the issues that young people in Portsmouth are facing as well as those which the Youth Cabinet are prioritising. Young people are the future of our city, our jobs market, and our economy, but I believe have not been provided with enough opportunities for a long time.”

“One of my priorities since being elected is to ensure Portsmouth young people are given the support, training and opportunities that they need to succeed and grow. I am pleased to see the work My Future in Portsmouth Youth Hub is doing to support more young people in my community, and help them into the world of work.”

Maheep later sat down with MP Amanda Martin at the end of November to share the results of the recent Make Your Mark Survey, a key tool used to understand the concerns of young people across the UK. 

During the meeting, Maheep talked at length with Amanda about the results of the survey, and of the differing thoughts and opinions of the young people that took part. Maheep also highlighted the formation of the Youth Cabinet’s subgroups, with a particular focus on the Crime and Safety subgroup. 

The important topics discussed included ensuring safety for women and girls in Portsmouth, the potential of police presence in schools to enhance safety and reassurance, and the importance of restorative justice practices. 

Maheep with MP Amanda Martin

Maheep also introduced Amanda to the work of Unloc, our non-for-profit which originated in Portsmouth, and works around the country with young people to encourage youth voice, social action and entrepreneurship. 

Unloc, working with Portsmouth City Council also facilitate the Primary Council of Portsmouth Students (PCoPS) and the Council of Portsmouth Students (CoPS), powerful youth forums which help young people to positively impact and shape the city’s education. Maheep explored opportunities for collaboration between the Youth Cabinet and these student forums to engage younger children across the city. 

Reflecting on the meeting, Maheep said, 

It was lovely to meet Amanda for the first time and talk about our focuses. I really appreciate Amanda’s time and her willingness to support young people. I’m happy I was able to go over crime and safety topic, which is one of the subgroups from the three that Portsmouth Youth Cabinet is working on. It was lovely to hear an invitation for the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet to visit Amanda’s office once it’s been settled completely!

Both meetings mark a continued commitment to fostering strong connections between Portsmouth’s young people and local policymakers, with a focus on addressing their most pressing concerns and creating positive change in the community. 

Having this direct communication with political leaders and young people can only serve to strengthen the voice of young people, ensuring that their concerns are heard and that the right opportunities in society are available to them,

For more information about the Youth Cabinet and their initiatives, please contact: [email protected] 

Opportunity for 14-25-year-olds to secure seed funding of up to £1,000 to launch community-driven ideas and businesses

Are you aged between 14 and 25, with an idea that could transform your community? Do you have a passion to tackle social issues or a business concept that needs funding to get off the ground? Now’s your chance to make a real difference, thanks to Unloc’s Changemaker Grants for young people.

Unloc, in partnership with the Unloc Changemaker Alliance and powered by Verizon, is offering 14-25 year olds  across the UK the opportunity to apply for small seed grants of up to £1,000. These grants are designed to support emerging leaders who have innovative ideas for social impact, whether through a community project, social enterprise, or start-up business.

The Changemaker Grants recognise the vital need to support young people with big ideas but limited access to funding or resources. With a focus on helping young changemakers bridge the gap and get their projects off the ground, the initiative aims to create a future where young leaders can drive positive change in their communities.

Khamani is one of the young people who was successful in receiving a Changemaker Grant

A Success Story: Khamani’s Craft Business

Khamani, aged 16, is a young entrepreneur who received a Changemaker Grant last year, and is a perfect example of how these grants can help turn passion into progress. Khamani used the £1,000 funding he received to develop his business, KJ’s Craft Time, which offers creative craft kits and activities for children. With the Grant, Khamani created a new inclusivity range to offer activities to a more diverse range of young people and their families.

Reflecting on his experience, Khamani said:

“Grants like this are so important for young people because they provide both financial support and guidance. It’s not just about the money – it’s about the belief in young entrepreneurs and the encouragement to pursue our passions. Without the grant and the mentorship, I wouldn’t have been able to rebrand, expand, or reach the new audiences I’m connecting with today. The grant and mentorship allowed me to pursue an initiative that I’m incredibly proud of – the launch of my Special Educational Needs (SEN) range, which makes arts and crafts more accessible to children with extra needs by providing adaptive tools like easy-grip scissors and non-spill paint pots. “

“It’s something I’d dreamed of doing for a long time, and the Unloc Changemaker Grant helped me turn that vision into reality.   I’m so grateful for the opportunities the Changemaker Grant has provided me, and I’m excited to continue growing my business and making a positive impact on children’s creativity.”

If you’re thinking about applying for the Unloc Changemaker Grant, go for it! Not only does it provide the financial support to bring your ideas to life, but the mentorship and guidance you receive are invaluable. It’s a chance to take your passion seriously, gain confidence, and make real progress toward your goals.”

Khamani’s story highlights the transformative impact of the Unloc Changemaker Grant, offering young entrepreneurs not just funding, but also crucial mentorship and advice to help them succeed. Since receiving the Changemaker Grant Khamani has recently been shortlisted for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024. We are all so incredibly proud of all he is achieving.

Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor

Unloc’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:

“Our Unloc Changemaker Grants, powered by Verizon Business, are such a fantastic opportunity for young people with a business idea, or who want to do some good in their community. Unlike many other funding grants available we don’t just provide a grant and vanish, we’re committed to providing further mentorship and support to successful applicants, giving them access to a mentor to help guide their journey and help them be successful.”

“Previous applicants have created  some wonderful community projects, and have helped small businesses start or evolve, and it’s such a thrill to see that in action as it unfolds. If you’re a young person and you’ve got a great idea for a business,, or something you think you could do to improve society – apply, we’re here to help you make it a success.”

Xavier White, Head of EMEA Social Purpose for Verizon Business

Xavier White, Head of EMEA Social Purpose for Verizon Business said:

“We want to help remove the barriers to entry for enterprising young people who have the ideas and tenacity to create a business but lack the means. Early investments of £100 and more are critical in enabling young people to take their first steps in business; whether it’s to create a website, potentially develop a prototype, customise their product, or add new product lines for sustainability or accessibility. It’s about levelling the playing field and removing the barriers to business and innovation.” 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Applications will be assessed based on three key factors:

  1. The credibility of the idea and project plan.
  2. The potential positive impact of the project or business on others.
  3. The realism of the proposed budget and the sustainability of the project or business over time.

Unloc wants to hear from young people who have the passion and drive to make a difference. Whether you’re looking to launch a social enterprise or run a community-focused initiative, this grant provides the support you need to test your idea and start making an impact.

The application process is simple and flexible, with options to submit your application in a format that works best for you—whether that’s a written application, video, slide deck, or voice notes. To apply, or for more information, visit unloc.online/the-young-changemakers-grant.

Applications are open now, and the team at Unloc is ready to help guide young changemakers on their journey. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to turn your idea into action!

Notes for Journalists

Recently we unleashed our 2023-24 Impact Report upon the world, highlighting and celebrating just a small section of the impactful work we do around the country (and sometimes beyond!) to improve the lives of young people and level the playing field from those from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with opportunities and skills to help them build brighter futures.

We work with many organisations around the world to provide the many experiences, courses and opportunities we offer each year. One of those organisations, The Marketors’, have supported and worked with Unloc through several projects with a combined aim to make the world a better place for the next generation.

Through our partnership with The Marketors’, our Inspiring Young Changemakers project develops the confidence, aspirations, life skills and entrepreneurial mindset of young people aged 10-19, from disadvantaged communities across Hampshire and London, through a series of inspiring and interactive events and programmes.

These focus on core skills and confidence building in a safe space, allowing them to try new things, think independently, and learn and develop new skills in areas such as creativity, team work, decision making and public speaking. In the past academic year the Inspiring Young Changemakers project scaled to 10 x Changemaker Challenge Days, inspiring 412 targeted young people from disadvantaged communities in Hampshire and London throughout the year

The project was a resounding success, receiving a 93% net positivity score from young people, with high rating feedback from those involved. As a result we’ve created a separate report to show the impact that the support of The Marketors’ has had on the young people that we work with every day up and down the country.

The Marketors’ have the founding principle that ‘marketing benefits everyone’ believing in the power of marketing to deliver economic and social good. They have delivered on this principle for almost 50 years by operating as a not-for-profit membership body, open to marketing leaders who are looking to use their marketing skills, contacts, and resources to support charitable causes and the development of marketing for the good of society.

Over the last three years, The Marketors’ have donated over £269k to worthy causes in line with their broad aims of inspiring excellence in marketing, supporting charities and the disadvantaged, and also caring for Marketors in need.

It’s this charitable set of ethics, and their commitment to levelling the playing field and providing opportunity for those less fortunate, as well as their strong understanding of industry which have made them such perfect partners for us here at Unloc.

Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor

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Marketors Trust _ Unloc Partnership – Impact Report – 23_24 OnlineDownload

Student voice has been at the heart of celebrations in Portsmouth for us this past week as we and Portsmouth City Council celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Council of Portsmouth Students (known as CoPS) which culminated in an event at out Changemaker Studios: Portsmouth space at Portsmouth last Thursday 21st November 2024. 

The event saw young people, educators and city leaders come together to celebrate, with speeches from current CoPS Chair and Vice Chair, Daria Nitu and Lotti Pabari, CoPS Vice Chair 2017 Ella Reilly, and CoPS Chair 2008 Ben French.

All spoke of the heartfelt impact CoPS has had on their lives, and after the celebrations everyone pledged their support to ensure CoPS can continue with strength into the future so that other young people can reap the benefits.

Council of Portsmouth Students Vice Chair 2017, Ella Reilly, speaking at the event

Facilitated by Unloc throughout the city, CoPS members gather for three in-person Summits each year to discuss the top priorities and issues in their institutions, to problem-solve, speak on lived-experiences, and share best practice with their peers. 

It’s a unique forum that empowers young people in the city to think about the situations, community and environment around them, and to work together to find solutions and proactive approaches to making things better for all.

The Council of Portsmouth Students was first created after the very first Student Voice Day event was held in 2003. Secondary school students came together for the first time in one place to share ideas on how they could improve their schools and make them better.

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The young people agreed it would be valuable to have a cross-city student council where students from different schools could meet regularly to discuss ideas of common interest and concern, and take action together. CoPS was born – and developed into a forum for sharing their experiences of education matters and as a way of offering solutions to any concerns that they identified. 

Maheep Kaur, Portsmouth Member for Youth Parliament (MYP) joined in the celebrations

Ideas and solutions often originate from within the Learning Community schools network; examples include: anti-bullying strategies, the development of student radio, student feedback to teachers on lessons, and student involvement in teacher and head teacher interviews. Many of these improvement ideas have become part of the landscape of schools locally and nationally. 

Co-Founder and Deputy Chief Executive Ben Dowling at the celebration event

At the time CoPS was created, Portsmouth City Council also had the resources to develop a Primary Council of Portsmouth Students (PCoPS) recognising the voices of even younger children, and replicating a significant amount of Student Voice activity in the city’s Primary Schools.

Members of CoPS and the Student Voice Alumni were so well established that they were able to use the funding cuts in 2011 as an opportunity to develop a social enterprise project to ensure the continuation of CoPS and to develop further opportunities for young people to engage and develop their own enterprise initiatives. 

Unloc’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive Hayden Taylor was away on business but sent a special message to the young people and attendees to mark this special occasion.
Cllr Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education in Portsmouth spoke from the heart
Unloc team members Abi, Beth and Jessi celebrate an amazing 21 years of CoPS

Unloc continues this work with all schools in Portsmouth in partnership with school leadership teams to ensure that the foundations of participation that they learned and experienced through school councils, assessment for learning and CoPS remains in place for future generations of students in the area.

For more information about Unloc visit: Unloc.org.uk 

Our new series ‘Courses Up Close’ looks more in-depth at some of the wide variety of programmes, courses and bootcamps that we offer at Unloc. One of our favourite courses to deliver is our Unloc Leadership Academy. Available to Secondary Schools and Further Education, the Unloc Leadership Academy is a fun and dynamic initiative to incubate passionate young leaders, support their personal development, and channel their energy into tackling the kinds of social issues faced by young people in their school, college or community. 

Young people participating will take part in a core leadership and social action training programme at the beginning of their time at the Academy before specialising in a social issue they would like to address. This could be from a wide range of topics which impact their everyday lives such as Climate Change, Equal Rights, Politics, Homelessness or Food Poverty (for example).

It’s a brilliant opportunity to get young changemakers thinking critically about the world around them, the issues which impact them and their communities, and to challenge them to consider how they can pro-actively do something to help or improve that problem. 

Typically this leads to some fantastic and engaging discussions, peer on peer debates and challenging each other’s views and perceptions – which really grow young people’s confidence and encourages them to speak their truth and feel empowered to do something on a topic they feel strongly about.

Academy participants will then deliver social action projects (usually peer-led presentations) of their own design, focusing on one the priorities they’ve chosen. Often this can include multi-media approaches such as film and video, photography, designing a campaign, slideshow, poster or fundraising.

Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor
  1. Functional knowledge around project planning, facilitation and communication.
  2. The personal confidence, skills and qualities for leadership and employability more broadly.
  3. Been provided with a creative outlet for school improvement ideas.
  4. Connected with external role models.
  1. A plan for a school/college improvement idea.
  2. A presentation explaining their idea. 

Whether your students have leadership experience already, or are completely new to the concept of leadership, our Leadership Academy will provide an empowering experience for all.

Get in touch for more information and a no obligation chat on how we can help.

Giveus a call us on: 02394 008 180

Or email us at [email protected]

As the 2025 Young Entrepreneurs Challenge applications begin to flood in, we thought we’d catch up with our 2024 Winner Ethan Waisberg to reflect on the process and how he found the whole experience.

The 2024 Grand Final event was held at Verizon’s Headquarters in Holborn, London, with leaders from across industry sectors gathering to witness our young hopefuls pitch their business ideas to our panel of judges, including ex Dragon’s Den star Piers Linney.

Ethan competed with strong contenders from across Europe to win £10,000, mentorship, a technology support package to help kickstart his business proposal, and a trip to the One Young World 2024 Global Summit. 

With a strong pitch and well defined business plan, Ethan talked about his product AngioGenius.  With eye disease screening programs worldwide not performing well enough and  millions around the world to going  blind, Ethan developed an app where anyone can take a photo of their eye at home to help detect and monitor eye disease progression.  

From his research work with NASA astronauts, Ethan found a way to use Generative AI to allow the eyes of astronauts to be better monitored while in spaceflight, where limited imaging equipment exists. Ethan is bringing this same technology to Earth with AngioGenius at a fraction of the cost to current and widely used eye disease screening programs.

Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2024 Winner Ethan with his winners cheque!

Ethan, it’s so great to catch up with you following your 2024 win! Tell us, how did you find entering the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge?

The application process was really easy and straightforward. I didn’t need any support or advice during the process, as I just had to record a 60 second video explaining my idea. 

Once you found out you were a finalist, how did you find the experience attending the Grand Final?

During my train ride to London, I reflected on the exciting opportunity to be in the finals and pitch my company to a large audience. I arrived in London the day before the competition, so I was able to relax and explore the city. I was not nervous as I felt prepared.

The Unloc and Verizon teams were welcoming, supportive and they greeted me with warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm. They were dedicated to bringing out the best in the finalists, and created a friendly, less competitive atmosphere.

Was there anything that you were afraid of?

As a clinician and scientist, my biggest fear was that I might not be able to convey all the important aspects of my business idea within the allotted time for the pitch. 

As someone who has conducted research in this area for the past 5+ years, I had a wealth of detailed information to share with the audience and judges. Nevertheless, I was able to be concise during my pitch and prioritize key messages.

Ethan with his fellow Finalists, Unloc’s Hayden Taylor (left) previous winner Jamie Bankhead & Verizon’s Sanjiv Gossain (right)

What did you think of the other finalists and their business ideas? 

It was really exciting to meet the other finalists, and to learn about their interesting business ideas. It’s tough to pick only one idea that stood out from the other finalists, since they each had a lot of potential and were all very impressive. 

As I interacted with the finalists, I couldn’t help but admire the passion and creativity behind their business ideas.

How did it go when it was time to deliver your pitch to the Judges?

Overall, I was happy with how my pitch went. I felt that I was able to effectively communicate the value proposition and core ideas of my business idea and that I had captured the attention of the judges and audience. 

Moreover, the Judges asked insightful and thought-provoking questions, which challenged me to delve deeper into various aspects of my company and provide detailed explanations. I appreciated this opportunity to further elaborate on key points.

Ethan speaking on stage at the 2024 One Young World Summit, part of his prize package as Grand Prize Winner

How did you feel when you were named the winner? 

I was surprised and elated to be chosen as the grand prize winner! I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and validation for the sacrifices that I made along the way to reach this point.

What do you intend to do with the grand prize money?

I plan on using this prize money to conduct further clinical testing of my idea. Clinical testing is a crucial step to not only validate the safety and efficacy of my solution, but to also provide insights to further refine and optimize my business idea. 

What advice would you give to other young people out there considering entering the 2025  competition? 

My advice would be to not think twice about applying! Never doubt your abilities and ideas. I had entered the competition hoping to make an impact, and never imagined I would win.

Ethan thank you so much for catching up with us today, you were an absolutely outstanding entrant and a well deserved winner. We’ll be watching your progress closely and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do next!

The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025 is now open for entries! If you’re 16–25 and have a fresh & innovative tech-led idea – The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025 could help you get your business off the ground, or if you’ve already launched a business, boost it to the next level. 

There’s a staggering £10,000 up for grabs, as well as a mentorship package and entry to the One Young World Global Summit, so what are you waiting for? Apply now!

Our latest impact report for the 2023-24 academic year is now available! Inside you’ll find a whole wealth of information of the work we’ve been carrying out in schools and colleges across the UK over the past 12 months, as well as case studies, interviews and insights into the work and projects we’ve formed with young people and partners such as Verizon Business, Burberry, Juniper Networks, GRP Solutions and Palo Alto Networks.

Gain insight into the past year with stats such as:

There’s also coverage of the 2024 Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, our Young Women in Tech programme, Inpsring Change, Portsmouth Inspires, One Young World, Seed 2030, school and college forums, Changemaker Moments, the release of the fantastic rap track to stand up against Knife Crime and Youth Violence, our General Election Special Events and a whole lot more!

Unloc 2024 Impact ReportDownload

Unloc and Verizon Business have launched The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge for 2025, an annual event that seeks to identify the best young talent across Europe with innovative business ideas.

The winner will receive £10,000 (€11,750*), mentorship and a technology package to launch their business. In addition, they will also receive a ticket to attend the Global One Young World 2025 Munich Summit.

This entrepreneurship competition for young people aims to encourage and attract the dynamic new business leaders of tomorrow. Now in its seventh year, the challenge is open to European entrepreneurs aged between 16-25 years old who can submit their technology-led start-up business concepts online.

“Each year, The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge identifies and brings to light amazing young talent from across the UK and Europe and it is a privilege to be able to help encourage and support tomorrow’s entrepreneurs,” said Sanjiv Gossain, General Manager and Head of EMEA for Verizon Business. “Young entrepreneurs in Europe often face challenges related to accessing funding and mentorship, so to play a role in enabling their ideas to come to fruition and be presented on the global stage, is very important to Verizon Business.”

“We are in a landscape where technological ideas are becoming the clear catalyst for addressing and resolving some of the most complex challenges in sustainability, climate change and health, so investing in the next generation of leaders and their ideas plays a fundamental part in addressing these challenges,” said Hayden Taylor, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Unloc.

“Every year we’re overwhelmed with the business minds of young entrepreneurs and in a year that has been dominated by the advancement of emerging tech, we’re very excited to see the ideas that entrants submit for the next Young Entrepreneurs Challenge.

“2024’s winner, Ethan Waisberg, impressed the expert judges with his app, AngioGenius, which allows anyone to take a photo of their eye at home to help detect and monitor eye disease progression. His research work with NASA astronauts and the integration of generative AI into the app was extremely impressive, and the funding from Unloc and Verizon will now enable him to carry out clinical trials and help reduce eye disease progression worldwide. We cannot wait to see what innovation young changemakers envision this year.”

Last year’s Grand Prize Winner Ethan Waisberg with his cheque for £10,000

To enter, entrants are asked to record a 60-90-second video, as well as complete an online application form outlining their business idea. Applications will be judged based on their viability, technology innovation and sustainability.

Finalists will then compete head-to-head in a grand finale held in March 2025, pitching their business concept live to a panel of expert judges and invited guests representing both the worlds of business and education.

Apply by January 17, 2025 at YEC25.COM

Notes for Journalists

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