We are thrilled to announce that in partnership with Rockborn, we are launching a search nationwide for the UK’s Student Governor of the Year 2025! This new award aims to recognise and appreciate the important contribution that student voice and leadership has to a college environment, celebrating those Student Governors who work as the voice of students to improve their college, it’s services and support, and ensure that student needs are met.
It’s estimated that around 900 Student Governors work within their colleges around the country each year. As the voice of student leadership, their platform provides young people with the opportunity to inform and have a say in their education, helping to shape their college environment and the services they offer.
Together Unloc and Rockborn have long recognised the importance of student leadership and student voice in the education environment, rolling out our comprehensive Student Governor Changemaker Programme across the UK this year to provide the highest level of support and training to Student Governors as they get to grips with their role and learn how to have a positive impact, working with both education professionals, school boards, key figures and students themselves to achieve tangible outcomes that enhance and improve their education experience.
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At Unloc we 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.
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.
Both our organisations cultivate exceptional learning environments, working with staff, boards and young leaders to develop rich and vibrant educational spaces that allow young people to flourish. Now we are asking colleges across the country to nominate their Student Governors, recognising them for the excellent work they do, and the important contribution they make to their college.
To nominate a Student Governor is very easy, colleges are invited to complete a very simple online application form by clicking the button below. It only takes a few minutes, and asks for a few details about the young person being nominated, and why they should win the award.
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Click here to nominate your Student Governor!
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The deadline for nominations is 30th April 2025.
The 2025 Student Governor of the Year will be announced this Summer at Unloc’s Student Governor Destination Conference to be held in London. Further details to be announced.
All nominees will also receive a certificate of commendation to recognise their contribution to their college and the wider education sector.
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Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:
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“We are incredibly excited to be launching the 2025 Student Governor of the Year Award, a chance to recognise and celebrate the contributions, impact and dedication of Student Governors across the country, acknowledging the positive change they make within their colleges, and to the community around them. Recognising the important contribution young governors make in their learning environment is so important, so we’re asking colleges to take five minutes out to nominate the Student Governors who make a difference in their college, one of which will be picked as our 2025 Student Governor of the Year!”
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Rockborn’s Company Director Peter Ryder said:
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“Rockborn is really proud to be sponsoring the Unloc Student Governor Changemaker Programme and to be getting behind this new award. We’d like to encourage colleges that want to nominate a Student Governor to fill in a very short application form, it will only take five minutes, and recognise your Student Governor’s contribution!”
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For more information about the Unloc Student Governor Changemaker Programme click here
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For more information on Unloc’s school and college programmes click here
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For more information about Rockborn and their services click here
Nominate your Student Governor now by clicking here!
Finalists will compete in this year’s Young Entrepreneurs Challenge showcase in March in a bid to win £10,000 (€11,750*)
Five young entrepreneurs have been named as finalists in the latest Young Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC), an initiative launched by Verizon and Unloc. The challenge, now in its seventh year, aims to discover the business leaders of tomorrow by tasking young European entrepreneurs between the ages of 16 and 25 to devise a tech-led business idea that addresses a key industry or societal issue.
This year’s challenge has brought to light a number of business models that tackle current sustainability and healthcare challenges including water restoration robots, biodegradable textiles from kombucha by-products, reforestation hexapod robots, a floating solar solution and a robotic glove for stroke rehabilitation. The team received over 100 competitive and innovative business ideas from a wide range of countries across Europe including the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Slovakia, Turkey, Portugal, Austria, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia and Poland.
“Throughout the past seven years, the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge has been a brilliant opportunity to discover young and promising talent across Europe. There is nothing like the imagination and innovation of a young mind. The YEC serves as a platform to help bring their ideas to life,” said Sanjiv Gossain, General Manager and Head of EMEA for Verizon Business.
“Young entrepreneurs in Europe often face hurdles and scepticism in accessing funding and mentorship. Verizon Business is proud to play a small role in helping this next generation of tech leaders stay a step ahead in the industry, as they work to make a positive impact around the world.”
“We are in an era where technological innovation is crucial for tackling complex challenges in sustainability, climate change, and health. Investing in the next generation of leaders and their ideas is essential to addressing these issues,” said Hayden Taylor, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Unloc. “Each year, we are amazed by the ingenuity of young entrepreneurs and are impressed to see the innovative ideas submitted for the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge.”
The five finalists will now 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. The winner receives £10,000 (€11,750*), mentorship and a technology support package to help kickstart their business. In addition, the winner will also receive a ticket to attend the Global One Young World 2025 Munich Summit.
Each runner-up will receive £977 (€1175) to fund their start-up business, a personalised development plan that focuses on key priorities, and access to a series of masterclasses over the next year that will pair the finalists with various industry experts.
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Here are the 2025 finalists:
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Aleksandra Daniljuk – AquaRenew
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Aleksandra aims to address the global environmental crisis of water pollution caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies. Her solution involves small, solar-powered robots that use wire meshes to collect harmful algae blooms, release oxygen through air stones to combat oxygen depletion, and utilise zeolite biofilters to absorb excess nutrients, thereby preventing further eutrophication.
The key selling point is its self-sustaining business model. The collected algae will be sold to businesses that convert them into biofuels and other sustainable products, creating a revenue stream to fund more robots. This approach not only restores aquatic ecosystems but also fosters sustainability and generates economic value.
Aleksandra’s solution also aligns with the UN SDG 14: Life Below Water, promoting ecological restoration and sustainability.
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Luisanny Martinez – Skomb-By-Tex
Skomb-by-Tex is a solution to modern challenges in fashion and sustainability that offers a sustainable, biodegradable material made from kombucha fermentation by-products. The eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather and textiles is crafted from bacterial cellulose, offering a lightweight, durable, and unique texture.
The material is 100% biodegradable and compostable, and can even be reused as planting capsules. To further enhance the sustainable model of the business, the team uses natural dyes like turmeric, spirulina, and saffron, ensuring no toxic chemicals are involved.
Skomb-By-Tex collaborates with local kombucha producers in order to reduce waste and emissions. Luisanny’s long-term vision is to scale production while maintaining low-impact manufacturing practices, such as sun drying and ambient-temperature fermentation.
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Marta Bernardino – Trovador
The precision reforestation market is projected to reach $9.77 billion by 2033, growing at a 5.74% CAGR, with high demand from the private sector. Recognising a billion-dollar opportunity, Marta developed Trovador, a reforestation robotics company that combats climate change by planting trees in hard-to-reach areas. Unlike drones, which have a low survival rate for seeds, Trovador’s hexapod robots plant saplings with a 90% survival rate. These AI-driven robots navigate challenging terrains like cliffs and slopes, ensuring effective reforestation.
Trovador’s unique hexapod design preserves essential soil conditions for sapling survival and operates autonomously, overcoming obstacles in real-time. This innovative approach supports sustainability by providing rural communities with a safe, efficient reforestation solution, aligning with several UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The service is quite simple and self-explanatory: clients select the planting site, the robot is deployed, and reforestation is monitored remotely. With just £2.5 (€3) per tree, Trovador is 30% more affordable than traditional methods, while excelling in speed, safety, and sustainability.
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Sebastiaan Schalkwijk – Solar Sub
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Solar Sub’s floating solar solution revolutionises renewable energy by placing solar panels on water bodies, maximising land use and harnessing natural cooling. This approach enhances system efficiency, increasing energy yield by up to 27% compared to traditional solar systems.
Solar Sub’s advanced cooling technology and optimal panel positioning improve efficiency and durability, reducing operational costs and extending the lifespan of solar installations. This innovation sets Solar Sub apart from competitors facing issues with panel overheating and degradation.
Sebastiaan adopts a licensing business model which allows rapid scaling without significant capital investment. This reduces upfront costs and risks, enabling us to focus on strategic partnerships. His model has gained traction with support from key industry players, confirming market interest and feasibility.
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Zain Sumdani – Exoheal
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Exoheal addresses the global shortage of physiotherapists and the inaccessibility of effective therapy with a robotic glove and a machine-learning-powered app. This solution delivers personalised, real-time therapy, enabling stroke recovery from home. Early trials show a 50% improvement in recovery time compared to traditional methods.
Exoheal app connects patients with hospitals and clinics, allowing remote monitoring and real-time feedback. Its modular design and scalable production ensure affordability and the ability to meet global demand. By 2028, Zain and his team aim to transform 100,000 lives, saving governments $178 million in healthcare costs and enabling $16 million in inpatient earnings.
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For more information on the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge click here!
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About Unloc
Unloc was founded in 2013 by award-winning young leaders and advocates Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling. Our mission is to empower young people to be innovative changemakers who seek to build stronger communities and sustainable businesses. We develop young people’s skills, enhance their potential and boost their determination to succeed.
This is encapsulated in our ‘Developing Young Potential’ tagline. We work towards our mission by delivering inspiring educational programmes in our growing network of schools and colleges, our physical Changemaker Studios spaces in Portsmouth and London, and work with business leaders to deliver a range of programmes that help us achieve our mission. For more information about Unloc visit www.unloc.org.uk
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About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Unloc’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:
“We are so thrilled to be celebrating 21 powerful years of the Council of Portsmouth Students. Youth voice is so important, and thanks to the support of Portsmouth City Council and local schools – we’ve been able to empower so many young changemakers on their journey into society, making their schools, their lives and their communities better as a result. It’s because of this very forum that our organisation Unloc exists today, as a former chair of CoPS myself.
Through this forum, I came together with my co-founder Ben when funding cuts placed it at risk – and together found a way to save CoPS and make it sustainable for future young people. We used the skills we’d learnt to found our own organisation – motivated to empower young people and bring them into positions of leadership. To be here celebrating 21 years of this fantastic movement is such an achievement, we are so immensely proud.”
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Cllr Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education said:
“It’s important that Portsmouth students can have their voices heard, share experiences, and make improvements in their schools, which is exactly what they’ve been doing as part of CoPS over the past 21 years. We’re proud that many of the ideas developed are embedded in schools both locally and nationally and hope the young people enjoy the 21st anniversary celebration.”
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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
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About Unloc
Unloc was founded in 2013 by award-winning young leaders Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling. The organisation’s mission is to empower young people to be innovative changemakers who seek to build stronger communities and sustainable businesses. The organisation is focused on developing young people’s skills, enhancing their potential and boosting their determination to succeed.
Unloc works towards achieving its mission by delivering inspiring educational programmes to over 20,000 young people each year, including on entrepreneurship and self-employment, in our network of 250+ schools and colleges in the UK and beyond.
To find out more about Unloc and all our latest news visit: unloc.org.uk/news
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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).
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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.
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During the course students will learn a wide range of skills including:
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.
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Our Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:
“Working with young people every day, we know better than many just how engaged and passionate this generation is about social issues, and the problems that many in society face. I don’t think we’ve ever seen that before – young people so engaged with politics and social issues, but if they’ve never had the opportunity to tackle those topics, to learn how to be a leader, or be confident in their own decisons – many don’t understand what they can do personally do to make a tangible difference.”
“Our Leadership Academy is just that opportunity, allowing young people to feel comfortable, confident and empowered to talk about the things that matter the most to them, then working together, utilising the decision making, speaking and communicating skills, and using their new leadership abilities to create something which demonstrate their planning, communicating and creativity to tackle their chosen problem.
“The reaction we get from young people during the academy is always so fantastic to experience, you can see them come alive with ideas and strategies, their minds ticking over in the moment, and the excitement bursting out of them – it’s such a dynamic introduction to Leadership and benefits them enormously in their future.”
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By the end of our Leadership Academy participants will have:
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By the end of the programme, participants will have constructed…
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.
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“We were looking for a dynamic and contemporary leadership programme for our Year 13 Prefects and Unloc more than delivered. They were an absolute pleasure to work with. Their excellent organisation, strong communication and willingness to adapt the course to the needs of our pupils was very impressive indeed. We will certainly be working with Unloc again.”
Luke Rees, Deputy Head, Portsmouth Grammar School
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Interested in a Leadership Academy for your students or young people?
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]
Or click here to fill out our easy to use contact form!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Click here for more information or to apply!
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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:
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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!
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View below to read the report or download at the link underneath
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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.”
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“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.”
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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
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To read about last year’s Grand Final and Ethan’s win click here
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Notes for Journalists
About – Unloc
Unloc was founded in 2013 by award-winning young leaders Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling. The organisation’s mission is to empower young people to be innovative changemakers who seek to build stronger communities and sustainable businesses. The organisation is focused on developing young people’s skills, enhancing their potential and boosting their determination to succeed. Unloc works towards achieving its mission by delivering inspiring educational programmes, including on entrepreneurship and self-employment, in our network of 100+ schools and colleges in the UK and beyond.
To find out more about Unloc and all our latest news visit: unloc.org.uk/news
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
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We’re thrilled to reveal that we and our partners Verizon Business won not just one, but two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024! The event, held a few days ago, saw leading businesses from across the UK come together at the London Marriot Hotel in Grosvenor Square for a stunning night of celebration, where leaders from across all sectors were recognised for their contributions and positive impact on society and improving the lives of others.
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Through our combined work via the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, we were thrilled to pick up two awards, joining winners from major industry leaders including British Airways, Deloitte, Santander, MacMillan, The National Youth Advocacy Service, Octopus Energy, Vodafone, the NSPCC and Omaze (to name but a few).
The first award is for the National Commitment to Skills & Training Award, something we at Unloc are hugely proud of as we roll out our skills focused programmes, workshops and bootcamps across the UK.
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The second award is the Philanthropy Award category, given to celebrate individuals and organisations who advance innovation, new solutions, and demonstrate meaningful progress in a community, association, or other nonprofit organisation.
Talent and opportunity in the UK is often mis-aligned, with young people growing up in the most challenging socio-economic communities facing life expectancies up-to 6 years below the national average and lifetime income earning potential up-to 40% below the national benchmark (such as Portsmouth). Our joint skills and training programmes are helping to redress this imbalance.
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This uniquely collaborative approach between a global corporate, and our own non-for-profit skills and training organisation has:
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Unloc’s Managing Director Hayden Taylor said:
“We are over the moon that alongside our partners Verizon we’ve been recognised with two National Awards for our work supporting young people from disadvantaged communities to become changemakers and achieve their potential. Our teams, alongside countless volunteers, put huge amounts of hard work and energy to bring to life our unique and innovative programmes in schools, colleges and communities across the country – this award recognises all they do.”
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Xavier White, Verizon Businesses Head of EMEA Social Purpose & Senior ABM Lead said:
“These wins are a recognition of the amazing partnership between Verizon Business and Unloc. Together we’ve worked to create opportunities for young people, championing sustainability, inclusion and diversity, STEM access, and skills training, all of these leading to wider career options for the next generation. I’m grateful that this award has been able to shine a spotlight on the impact that businesses can have upon the community, especially when they work with organisations who have an intimate understanding of said community. Unloc are experts in empowering young people from all backgrounds – when big business and non-for-profit join forces, the impact can be vast!”
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The outcomes described above are the combined results of the six bespoke and innovative programmes in entrepreneurship, leadership, career pathways and amplifying student voices, which are curated and delivered by Unloc’s expert youth-focused facilitation team, working in close collaboration with Verizon employee mentors, guest speakers and industry experts. These are:
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Changemaker Challenge Enterprise Days
These day-long events take place in schools across the country with a particular focus on the most deprived communities, reaching more than 10,000 young people every year. They inspire young people to explore what it means to be a changemaker, including widening their career horizons and putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test through a series of social business challenges.
Each event brings together between 30 and 100 primary or secondary school students to learn about the life and career journeys of local entrepreneurs, Verizon employees and participate in entrepreneurial skill building workshops. Each day culminates in a ‘changemaker challenge’, whereby a team of young people work together to identify and develop an entrepreneurial solution to a real-life social, environmental or economic issue.
Unloc Academies
Our 3-month long Leadership and Enterprise academies develop the skills of more than 1000 passionate young people annually, supporting them to successfully tackle a solution to an issue they or their peers have faced in their schools, colleges or communities. For those participating in the Leadership Academy, Unloc provides practical instruction in project planning, facilitation and effective communication, as well as building personal confidence and leadership. Enterprise Academy students gain skills in business planning, market testing, setting up a business, financial management and more from entrepreneurs and Verizon employees and volunteers.
I AM:
I AM is a new kind of social change incubator putting 100 young people annually at the heart of tackling issues around equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), whilst developing their life-long employability. For 6 months, young people from across Portsmouth and London come together over 4 immersive weekends of training and collaboration to learn about EDI and apply what they have learn to create and implement social change projects, with the support of community leaders, local professionals, specialist consultants, and democratically-elected representatives Following participation, 100% of young people say they feel more inspired to do something different or take action in the future, and 92% say they want to take part in similar programmes.
EDI Changemaker Days
Running alongside I AM, EDI Changemaker Days take place in 5 schools in disadvantaged communities and deliver an immersive day-long experience on EDI and racial justice for 1000 young people each year. With the help of the Unloc team and Verizon mentors, students build their own in-school campaigns to tackle a problem or address a challenge that impacts their lives.
The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge
The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge is an annual event that identifies and encourages young entrepreneurial talent. Now in its 5th year, the challenge provides the opportunity for any young person aged 16-25 with an innovative technology-led, business idea to apply for a grant of £10,000, plus mentorship, training and specialist pro-bono expertise, to help them translate their idea into a successful social enterprise or business. To date, 35 young people have been supported, with their ventures in turn employing more than 250 people.
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Last Thursday industry professionals from across the country gathered at Verizon’s slick London Hub in at MidCity Place, Holborn, for a Changemaker Moments event on Manufacturing. Hosted by Unloc, our Unloc Changemaker Alliance Members Verizon Business and Juniper Networks, and The Manufacturer – the event welcomed delegates from 25 manufacturing leaders, 25 young people, and members from all three organisations. Together they engaged with panels, explored emerging AI, IoT and robotics, networked, and even enjoyed a speed-mentoring session.
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The Manufacturer’s 2024 research revealed that the biggest challenge facing the industry today is Leadership, People, and Skills, with 24% of manufacturing leaders saying this is the most pressing issue. What the research discovered is that that culture and skills are at the root of this.
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Young, tech-native demographics entering the workforce are bringing to light the need for a cultural shift in the industry. And, as an aging industry during, tech is desperately in need of attracting young people with these digital skills and innovative ideas.
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The question posed to delegates was ‘How do we do this? How do we rebrand the industry while attracting the talent that will help us do just that?’
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This opened the way for much debate and sharing of experiences and thoughts on the current state of the industry, as well as where it’s headed in the coming future. Where are organisations seeing themselves headed – and how do they intend to get there?
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During the event the delegates experienced:
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The event was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm as business leaders got to hear directly from young people themselves, hear their ideas, their experiences, and where they see themselves posited within the industry.
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It was also a great opportunity for business leaders to get to know one another, network and see where their organisations and ambitions align in the industry.
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Unloc’s Managing Director Hayden Taylor said:
“Events like our Changemaker Moments Days are exactly why we formed the Unloc Changemaker Alliance in the first place, bringing together business leaders from across industry to meet and connect directly with young people. To have this direct line of access to hear from industry leaders, to gain insight and hear their lived experience is so valuable and inspiring.”
“In return professionals get to engage with young changemakers just starting out on their own career journey, to share in their enthusiasm and vision for the world and the industry as they imagine it – a whole new generation of professionals just waiting to emerge and share their talents. It was a fantastic event and I know everyone I spoke to enjoyed it immensely. A huge thank you to young people that came along to speak today, to The Manufacturer, and to our amazing partners Verizon Business and Juniper Networks for working with us to deliver such an engaging event.”
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More Changemaker Moment events soon, click here and follow us on LinkedIn for all the latest updates!
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Is your organisation interested in joining the Unloc Changemaker Alliance? Click here for more info
During the February half-term and Easter holidays this year, 53 young people, in Year 11 and 12, from across Portsmouth participated in our ‘Portsmouth Inspires’ Programme, funded by NCS. This was an intensive 3-day programme which enabled the young people to connect with their community, develop skills for life and unlock career pathways they might have never imagined.
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Throughout the 3-days the group had the amazing opportunity to experience ‘behind the scenes’ visits to a range of businesses unique to Portsmouth, such as; Victorious Festival, The Southsea Deli, South Coast Cookery, Nike Unite Portsmouth and BH Live Active.
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Alongside the visits the young people also got stuck into various masterclasses to further develop their skills for the future world of work. These included cookery masterclasses, high energy activities, behind the scenes at retail and the festival scene, and using the wide range of facilities at BH Live.
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We want to say a huge thank you to the organisations and businesses that supported this programme, we really appreciate you providing the access and opportunities to young people that they wouldn’t normally get the chance to experience.
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The feedback from the young people showed how great it was to gain career insights from real-life experiences!The young people on the programme had lots of positive things to say about their experiences!
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“It was amazing! I met new friends as Unloc gave me the opportunity to meet new people. Additionally it improved my confidence and social skills. Unloc also showed me many new job opportunities”
“The programme had a variety of new experiences that I never thought about doing and has taught me a lot to help me benefit in my future. It also gave me a lot more confidence to talk to strangers.”
“It’s been great fun! Jess and the other staff members involved have been amazing in providing us the experience of work whilst also maintaining our energy with creative and group activities. I highly recommend this program again!!!”
“It was practical and different and wasn’t just sitting down whilst people talk to you and you have to write down what they are saying. It was actually interesting and engaging.”
“The best thing about the programme was having the chance to hang out with my friends whilst gaining knowledge on different careers and life skills”
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We are thrilled to announce our brand new award for the 2025 Student Governor of the Year! Working with our partners Rockborn we’re scouring the UK to find the nations best Student Governor…
Five young entrepreneurs have been named as finalists in the 2025 Young Entrepreneurs Challenge. Hit the link to find out who!
Find out all about our Public Speaking & Debating Short Course, providing young people with core skills to communicate and deliberate on important topics.
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.
We are thrilled to announce our brand new award for the 2025 Student Governor of the Year! Working with our partners Rockborn we’re scouring the UK to find the nations best Student Governor…
Five young entrepreneurs have been named as finalists in the 2025 Young Entrepreneurs Challenge. Hit the link to find out who!
Find out all about our Public Speaking & Debating Short Course, providing young people with core skills to communicate and deliberate on important topics.
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