Unloc & Verizon Business scoop impressive awards at the Better Society Awards 2024
13 June 2024
We’re thrilled to reveal that we and Verizon Business won two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024!
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The Unloc Changemaker Alliance, an ambitious initiative dedicated to levelling the playing field for young people from deprived communities by providing them with skills, training and opportunities, has announced that Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, has joined the Alliance.
Juniper will be joining a growing collection of existing Alliance members, who are business leaders with a commitment to driving social value in a wide range of industry sectors including education, fashion, communications and manufacturing.
By joining organisations including Burberry, Verizon Business and Palo Alto Networks, Juniper is supporting Unloc’s work in schools, colleges and communities across the UK.
A key component of this activity is leveraging the talents, expertise and experiences of Juniper employees who will volunteer as speakers and mentors to help young people from underserved communities to develop life skills and explore the wide range of career pathways available to them.
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Gos Hein van de Wouw, Vice President Enterprise, EMEA, Juniper Networks said:
“Juniper has a long-established track record of using our technology and business know-how to support the development and advancement of those most in need in communities worldwide, especially the young and with an eye on the workforce of the future. Therefore, it is a great pleasure for Juniper to become part of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, enabling our UK workforce to engage with and help young people to acquire business skills, self-esteem and a sense of their own worth. It is also a great opportunity to build strong synergies with existing partners like Verizon Business.”
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Hayden Taylor, Unloc’s Managing Director said:
“We are so excited to welcome Juniper Networks to the Unloc Changemakers Alliance. The Alliance is a unique forward thinking and proactive collective of businesses investing in the potential of young people and I know the Juniper Networks team will add immense value. Today’s school and college students are tomorrow’s workforce, and our alliance allows us to deliver programmes and support to disadvantaged young people around the country. I’m particularly excited by the prospect of working with Juniper employees as speakers and mentors in our school and college programmes, helping us to improve young people’s skills, driving their ambition and broadening their career potential.”
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Sanjiv Gossain, fellow Alliance member Verizon’s Head of EMEA said:
“We welcome Juniper Networks joining the Changemaker Alliance. It is an important new chapter of the program and a testament to the strength of our partnership. We are looking forward to working alongside the team at Juniper and the wider network to help young people reach their potential, regardless of background.”
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With growing momentum surrounding the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, the future looks bright both for the initiative and its impact – but most importantly for the young people and the lives and economy that will benefit from this vital investment in the futures of young people.
For more information about the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, or to watch our short video about this exciting new union of businesses simply visit: unloc.org.uk/alliance
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Notes for Journalists
About Unloc & the Changemaker Alliance
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.
The Unloc Changemaker Alliance is a growing network of leading businesses who share our vision of supporting every young person to achieve their true potential. By working together, we are widening access to Unloc’s educational programmes for schools and colleges from disadvantaged communities, supporting young people with micro-grants to set up a new business or community project, engaging employees to volunteer in our community programmes and bringing like-minded businesses together to create change.
To find out more about Unloc and all our latest news visit: unloc.org.uk/news
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About the members of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance
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Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is dedicated to dramatically simplifying network operations and driving superior experiences for end users. Our solutions deliver industry-leading insight, automation, security and AI to drive real business results. We believe that powering connections will bring us closer together while empowering us all to solve the world’s greatest challenges of well-being, sustainability and equality.
Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. We innovate to outpace cyberthreats, so organizations can embrace technology with confidence. We provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally, across all sectors. Our best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation.
Whether deploying our products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, we’re committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what
makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.
Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021. 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/.
Burberry
● Burberry is a global luxury brand headquartered in London, UK.
● Founded in 1856, Burberry is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BRBY.L) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
● BURBERRY, the Equestrian Knight Device, the Burberry Check and the Thomas Burberry Monogram and Print are trademarks belonging to Burberry.
● For more news: www.burberryplc.com
GRP Solutions LTD
GRP Solutions Ltd is the UK’s leading provider to the Glass reinforced plastics industry. A highly experienced team of composite experts, dedicated to setting the standard in composite distribution. Working with world class suppliers the company prides itself in offering the very best solutions and service to customers.
Growing from strength to strength, GRP Solutions provides customers across every sector of the UK with the most comprehensive range of composite solutions and services.
Further information can be found at: www.grp-solutions.com
Nick Cotter from Cotter Agritech has won £10,000 funding and a business mentor package
Nick Cotter of Cotter Agritech has been crowned the winner of the 2021 Verizon/Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge. The company specialises in a patented hardware/software solution designed to reduce chemical use in agriculture whilst also improving productivity and profitability.
Nick fought off strong competition from across Europe yesterday, Tuesday 1st March, to win £10,000 of funding plus a business mentor package, and entry to the One Young World 2022 Global Summit in Manchester.
The five remaining finalists pitched their business concepts to a panel of expert judges and guests, representing members of both the business and education sectors during the Grand Final which was held virtually online.
“Pitching is always such a nerve wracking experience, you can never escape that, it doesn’t get any easier, but the key is to be confident. No one can tell your story like you can,” said Nick “Getting shortlisted was a huge honour, especially as the competition is across the whole of Europe.”
“The exceptional calibre of the other finalists was a huge challenge, and it’s a huge privilege to be announced the winner. I couldn’t be happier!”
The four Young Entrepreneurs Challenge runners up will also each receive £1,000 of funding to invest in their start up business.
The runners up are as follows:
The Verizon/Unloc Young Enterprise Challenge aims to encourage and attract the young business leaders of tomorrow. The competition challenges young people to consider the worlds of technology, health, the environment and sustainability, and to put forward their tech-led business idea to enrich and benefit the lives of other people.
“This annual challenge continues to go from strength to strength, attracting amazing talent and innovative business concepts from across Europe,” said Scott Lawrence, Group Vice President of Verizon Business in EMEA. “I’d like to congratulate Nick for his amazing business concept and say many thanks to all of this year’s finalists for taking part. I cannot wait to see our young entrepreneurs flourish in their careers.”
“Congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner Nick Cotter for a truly deserved win,” said Hayden Taylor, Managing Director of Unloc.
“Year upon year we’ve seen an increasing level of entrepreneurial talent enter the competition, and I can honestly say that the sheer quality of entries this year has been phenomenal. It’s really set the bar high and introduced us to some incredibly talented young entrepreneurs.”
” Nick delivered an excellent pitch with such an inspired idea, and fought off such high quality competition from our other semi-finalists. It’s been our most intense and exciting challenge yet, and we look forward to providing the mentorship and guidance to support them on their journey.”
We’ll be catching up with Nick shortly to talk more about his spectacular win at the final, so be sure to follow our news stories to find out more.
For more information about the Young Entrepereneurs Challenge click here!
The Verizon/Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, our annual online tech-entrepreneurship competition for young people across Europe, has chosen the five finalists who will compete for the competition’s £10,000/€11,000* Grand Prize!
The package also includes funding, mentorship and a technology package as well as entry to this year’s One Young World 2022 Tokyo Summit in Japan (16-19 May 2022).
The finalists will pitch their ideas live to a panel of expert judges in the Grand Final to be held virtually on March 1, 2022.
We are excited to reveal our five finalists are:
The Verizon/Unloc Young Enterprise Challenge aims to encourage and attract the young business leaders of tomorrow. The competition challenges young people to consider the worlds of technology, health, the environment and sustainability, and to put forward their tech-led business idea to enrich and benefit the lives of other people.
“This challenge continues to attract amazing young talent from across Europe and this year is no exception,” comments Scott Lawrence, Group Vice President of Verizon Business in Europe. “The innovative business concepts submitted cover a diverse range of industries and topics. It is crucial that we continue to support and nurture these budding entrepreneurs, as they will be the successful business leaders of tomorrow. We’re looking forward to the grand final and can’t wait to witness the ideas in action.”
“Each year we see more applicants from across Europe, and stronger and more focused business ideas from the young people that apply.” said Hayden Taylor, Managing Director of Unloc. “The engagement we’ve had from colleges, universities and organizations this year has been nothing short of spectacular, and it’s allowed us to engage with young people directly, really giving them the support and confidence to apply. The quality of applications this year is so high, it really is going to be tough for the judges to choose a winner from our amazing finalists.”
In addition to the grand prize for the main winner, the remaining four finalists will each receive £1,000 of funding, as well as a one-to-one development plan and a series of flagship masterclasses to give their businesses the best possible start.
Note: The Grand Prize fund will depend on the exchange rate at the time of the final.
For more information on the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge click here!
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’ tag-line. We work towards our mission by delivering inspiring educational programs 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 programs that help us achieve our mission.
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 and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021. 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.
We’re thrilled to reveal that we and Verizon Business won two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024!
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.
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.
. We’re looking for a passionate & creative young person aged 16-25 in the Portsmouth or London areas to become our first official social media
We’re thrilled to reveal that we and Verizon Business won two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024!
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.
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.
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