Applications for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Solve Challenges 2019 are open. Solve at MIT their annual flagship event bringing together more than 500 prominent cross-sector leaders. Along with, MIT community around Solve’s mission to address the world’s most pressing problems. Also, This event will highlight the 33 Solver teams , with the objective of forming partnerships to fund, pilot, and scale their solutions. Further, This year,  Solve seeks solutions from tech innovators around the world for its Global Challenges. Anyone can submit a solution by July 1, 2019.

Moreover, Finalists are invited to pitch their solutions at Solve Challenge Finals during UN General Assembly Week in New York City in September. Selected Solver teams will join a supportive community of peers, Donors, and experts to help advance their work; receive mentor ship and strategic advice from Solve and MIT networks; attend Solve at Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT, our annual flagship event in May; and receive access to more than $725,000 in prize funding for the 2019 Challenges. In the last two years, Solve’s community has committed more than $7.5 million in funding to Solver teams, in addition to in-kind support such as mentor ship, technical expertise, media and conference exposure, and business and entrepreneurship training.

Benefit:

There’s more than $725,000 of prize funding available for the 2019 Solver Class.

• Complete a needs assessment to receive a customized partnerships action plan tailored to your financial and non financial needs.
• Guided by a mentor
• Meet and connect with investors and cross-sector leaders to create partnerships during Solve’s flagship events, additional workshops throughout the year, and via facilitated introductions. Solve’s community of members includes leading organizations such as BNP Paribas, Google, Novartis Foundation, Save the Children, and many more.
• Grow your exposure and speak at Solve Challenge Finals and Solve at MIT. These events bring together an exclusive group of 400 cross-sector leaders and prominently feature Solver teams on stage and in workshops.
• Receive strategic advice from accomplished leaders through Brain Trusts, curated working groups bringing together a mini Board of Advisors.
• Join a class of peers to share best practices and find collaboration opportunities.
• Speak and network at other Solve-facilitated public relations opportunities, including international social impact conferences.
• Hone your pitch and media presentation through customized training in advance of Solve flagship events and other engagements—support that is valued at $15,000.
• Get the word out with global media and social media exposure.

Eligibility:

Solve seeks innovative, human-centered, tech-based solutions to our Global Challenges. We will consider solutions at all stages of development:

• Idea: MIT welcomes you to submit your solution idea, but please note that concept-stage solutions are unlikely to be selected. You have until the submission deadline to prototype and experiment with your idea!
• Prototype: A venture building and testing its product, service, or business model. Typically described as “pre-seed” if for profit.
• Pilot: An enterprise deploying a tested product, service, or business model in at least one community. Hybrids and for-profits would typically be in a “seed” round and generating revenue (whether or not they are cash flow positive).
• Growth: An enterprise with an established product, service, or business model rolled out, which is poised for further growth in multiple communities or countries. Organizations at this stage should have a clear path to sustainability. For-profits at this stage would be “seed” or “Series A.”
• Scale: A sustainable enterprise working in several communities or countries that is looking to scale significantly, focusing on increased efficiency. For-profits in this stage would be “Series A” or “Series B.”

Evaluation Criteria:

• Alignment: The solution uses technology to address one of Solve’s Global Challenges.
• Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact lives.
• Feasibility: Solution implementation is feasible, and the team has a plan for financial sustainability.
• Innovative Approach: The solution includes a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the Challenge.
• Selected finalists will pitch before the Challenge judges and a live audience at Solve Challenge Finals. The most promising solutions will form the new Solver class and build partnerships with the Solve community.*