Applications call for Verizon/Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2021. The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge brought to you by Unloc and Verizon is an online entrepreneurship competition looking for people aged 16 to 25, with fresh and innovative technology-led business ideas. The challenge is reaching out to a Pan-European audience in our search for a great new start-up business.

To enter the Verizon/Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, all you need to do is submit a 60-second pitch video on the competition website. Five finalists are selected for the Grand Final based on the key competition criteria; viability, technology innovation and sustainability.

Prizes

Applicants will compete to win the overall prize at the grand final:

• £10,000/€11,000 of funding for their start-up business
• A mentorship package to accelerate their idea
• Finalist runners up will receive £1,000 of funding for their start-up business

Eligibility

• Individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 years on the 1st February 2021.
• Residents and/or citizens of a mainland European country.
• Immediate family members of the judging panel are not eligible to apply.
• Previous entrants who attended the Grand Final are not eligible to apply.

Criteria

A business proposal should meet the following criteria

• Be legal in all mainland European countries.
• Be either a pre-start (not yet trading); or not have been trading for more than 3 years and have an annual turnover of less than £100,000 on 1st February 2021.
• Not have the purpose of political lobbying.
• Be the applicant’s own idea and not infringe on the copyright, patent or intellectual property of others.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be judged on three key factors:

• Viability
• Sustainability
• Technology innovation

Application Timeline

• 1st October: Online competition launch
• 22nd January: Online competition deadline
• 1st February: Finalists announced
• February: Grand Final

Apply Now