New York City, NY – September 14, 2022 – The digital movement Moonshot Platform is in its final two weeks of the nomination phase of the Moonshot Awards. Founded by Yemi A.D., a multidisciplinary artist of African descent, Moonshot Platform is an international non-profit that connects young innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers with the resources they need to accelerate their work, creating a brighter, more equitable future.
The Moonshot Awards, powered by Avast Foundation, are open to applicants from all over the world. Prospective Moonshotters can submit their projects via a simple form on the website Moonshot Platform, where they will answer a few questions and introduce their project. Projects will be evaluated by an international jury composed of experts from the world of business, startups, and the non-profit sector. The finalists will meet in mid-November in New York, where they will be presented with prizes totalling $100,000 across several Moonshot Awards categories.
Yemi A.D. noted that the challenge is not just about specifically small or large projects but that the opportunity to get involved is open to anyone between the ages of 15 and 30 years who has the courage to present their ideas in an international setting and share them with others from around the world.
“We launched the Moonshot Awards, powered by Avast Foundation, to put a spotlight on young leaders who are making a difference in the world,” said Yemi A.D. “This is a unique opportunity for social innovators to gain significant support and recognition and make meaningful connections with others around the world who hold hope for a more sustainable and just future. We are eager to see the innovative approaches that reflect true moonshot thinking the submitted projects will bring.”
The Moonshot Platform is supported by the Avast Foundation, whose work builds on a decade-long program of extensive philanthropic activities conducted in countries with Avast offices and employees. Since it was founded in 2021, Avast Foundation has been working in partnership with people and communities to tackle issues of digital exclusion, remove barriers to digital access, and champion digital citizenship.
“As an international philanthropy committed to an open and connected world, we are inspired by Moonshot’s vision to create connective experiences and build partnerships globally between the future leaders of our world,” said Shane Ryan, Global Executive Director, Avast Foundation. “Our job is to make sure the next generation can exchange knowledge and share information, ideas and experiences in a safe and inclusive way.”
The Moonshot Awards jury will include Estonian entrepreneur and investor Taavet Hinrikus, whose fund currently invests in more than 160 companies worldwide and who is the founder of TransferWise, a company valued at $5 billion, American philanthropist Pete Kadens, chairman of The Kadens Family Foundation, a charity dedicated to reducing social disparities through educational scholarship programs in the U.S., and Shegun Otulana, a well-known Birmingham entrepreneur originally from Nigeria who sold his company Therapy Brands for $1.2 billion and today helps more than just African-American families to own their own homes and start building long-term wealth. Another of the judges will be Dunola Oladapo, winner of the UK Women of The Future Award for her consistent work to empower the marginalised and Chair of the Avast Foundation's Youth Leadership Board.
The best projects will be awarded at the Moonshot Awards ceremony in New York across a total of six categories:
The Moonshot IDEA Award is a category for the youngest moonshotters aged 15 to 25 years that recognizes an original idea, or solution using technology that wins the trust of the jury in the field of the sustainable development goals.
The Moonshot STARTUP Award recognizes a founder between the ages of 18 to 30 years and his or her organization for exceptional potential in technology that has the capability to advance one or more of the sustainable development goals.
The Moonshot LEARNING Award recognizes a founder between the ages of 18 to 30 years and his or her organization for exceptional potential in inclusive and accessible high-quality education and advancement of student mental health.
The Moonshot BORDERLESS Award recognizes a founder between the ages of 18 to 30 years from the community of refugees, or indiginous communities and his or her organization for supporting, or inspiring those communities.
The Moonshot EMERGENCY RESPONSE Award recognizes a founder between the ages of 18 to 30 years and his or her organization for exceptional potential in the field of assistance during natural disasters, wars and epidemics.
The Moonshot GRAND PRIX Award is the main prize of the competition, which will be awarded to one of the winners from the above categories, taking home a prize of $50,000.
Additionally, 20 young leaders from this round of competition and the growing community of Moonshotters will be granted free admission into the Moonshot Young Leaders Camp, where they will connect with global business and non-profit leaders and mentors to support their personal growth and accelerate their organisations.
Detailed information on the project can be found on the website https://moonshotplatform.org. Here you can also register to become one of the first Moonshot Innovators.