$1,000 prize up for grabs at Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon for young changemakers

Are you an African innovator with a bold idea that could change the world? The Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon 2025, powered by  Innovate Africa Fund, is calling on you to apply. From skyrocketing unemployment and poor access to quality healthcare, to the digital divide and rising climate vulnerabilities, the ideathon is on a mission to unearth smart, locally grounded solutions that can scale.  If you’re passionate about technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation, this is your chance to bring your boldest ideas to life.

What is the Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon?

The name alone should give it away, as this isn’t your typical hackathon. At its core, the Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon is about solving “wicked problems”. It is a challenge-driven innovation sprint designed to inspire, coach, and empower young African innovators to identify highly pressing problems across the African continent and turn their creative ideas into real solutions. The goal is to encourage creative,  fresh, innovative thinking to tackle critical challenges in different sectors, such as education, health, finance, and sustainability.

This ideathon isn`t solely about winning money. It is about reimagining what`s possible in Africa when young innovators are given the tools, mentorship, access, resources and belief they need to act.

Whether you’re a self-taught coder in Kigali, a social impact enthusiast in Kampala, or a sustainability geek in Lagos,  if you’ve got a wild idea that could improve lives, this is your moment.

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Also Read: Innovation in Traditional Industries: Disrupting the Status Quo

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What’s in it for you?

Winning the Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon comes with plenty of perks, but the experience is valuable for every participant, win or not. Here`s what to expect:

• $1,000 cash prize to kickstart your idea
• Mentorship from experienced industry professionals to help your innovation
• Networking with potential investors, business leaders, industry partners and fellow innovators
• Workshops on business model design, innovation strategy, storytelling, business strategy, and funding
• Access to resources that can help you build and scale your idea post-competition
• A chance for long-term support through potential funding and partnerships
• A lifelong membership in a global community
• A support community of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs across Africa

By the end of the ideathon, you’ll have not only validated your idea but also have the tools and community to bring it to life.

Who can apply?

The Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon is open to African innovators aged 18 to 30, regardless of whether or not they have startup experience. What matters is your creativity, clarity of purpose, and commitment to problem-solving.

You can apply as an individual or as part of a team, and your idea should fall within one of the following focus areas:

• Technology & Digital Solutions: an idea on AI, blockchain, mobile-first solutions or other digital tools to solve major problems
• Education & Skills Development: think of different ways to make learning  engaging, accessible, and effective
• Sustainability & Climate Action: create solutions that promote environmental waste reduction and green energy. Clean energy innovations, waste-to-wealth models, or regenerative agriculture concepts
• Health & Well-being: design new ways to improve healthcare access, patient support, and wellness. From mental health to telemedicine, ideas that expand access and impact
• Financial Inclusion & SME  Growth: build payment innovations, savings tools, or systems that empower micro and small businesses improve financial literacy, or expand economic opportunities

• If your idea falls into one of these categories, you’re encouraged to apply.

Don`t have a fully baked business model yet? That’s okay. The ideathon is about ideation, not perfection. What matters is your insight into the problem and the boldness of your approach. And even if you don’t win, participating in the ideathon gives you the skills, knowledge, and connections to keep developing your ideas and take them to the next level.

Eligibility checklist

To apply, applicants must meet these requirements:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old
• Reside in any African country
• must have a unique, innovative idea that solves a real-world problem
• Applicants must be able to explain their idea in writing or a short video clearly
• Applicants must be available for virtual training, mentoring, and pitch sessions

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch to a panel of expert judges. The top ideas will be chosen and rewarded. However, all participants will gain exposure, mentorship, and learning that goes far beyond the prize money.

How to apply for the Wicked Innovation Labs Ideathon

All applications must be submitted through the official platform. Applicants are encouraged to fill in the application form and provide the necessary information. Be prepared to share:

• Your personal or team details
• A summary of your idea
• What problem you are solving and how
• Why your solution stands out

Eligible innovators must submit their application on or before Monday, March 31, 2025  

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Do you have an innovative business (small, mid-scale business or startup) that adds value, creates opportunities or solves bold problems? Then you`ve got a story worth telling? Shoot us an email with SUBJECT “Story Worth Telling (+Name of Business)” to editorial@smepeaks.com