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MIT Chooses 2019 Group of Tech Innovators as Part of Its Cohort

Multinational entrepreneurs, numbering 61, journeyed to New York on September 22 to participate in the Solve Challenge Finals, hosted by MIT Solve. These entrepreneurs presented the solutions they've devised to address four significant global issues of the year 2019: Circular Economy,...

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Tech visionaries chosen for MIT Solve's 2019 start-up program
Tech visionaries chosen for MIT Solve's 2019 start-up program

MIT Chooses 2019 Group of Tech Innovators as Part of Its Cohort

Innovation and Sustainability Take Centre Stage at the 2019 Solve Challenge Finals

The Solve Challenge Finals, held in New York on September 22, brought together 61 entrepreneurs from 22 countries to present solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues. The event, organised by MIT Solve, focused on achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) through innovation.

Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE, and M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, opened the plenary session, emphasising the need for context-focused tech breakthroughs and behavioural and policy changes to achieve the SDGs by 2030. A total of $1.5 million in prize funding was announced for the Solver teams.

Eight teams were selected from each challenge to form the 2019 Solver Class. The entrepreneurs pitched solutions to Solve's 2019 Global Challenges: Circular Economy, Community-Driven Innovation, Early Childhood Development, and Healthy Cities. However, due to limited information available, the exact focus areas and prize funding for the 2019 Solver Class remain undisclosed.

Artist Zaria Forman gave a presentation with stunning photographs of her pastel drawings, focusing on capturing glaciers and other natural wonders in the wake of climate change. The event also featured a discussion between Vijay Vaitheeswaran '90 of The Economist and Jesper Brodin, president and CEO of Ingka Group (Ikea), on Ikea's mission to "create a better daily life for the people."

Emphasising the importance of technology access, Emi Mahmoud, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees goodwill ambassador, stated that access to technology is a right, not a privilege. Sanjayan agreed, adding that there is still a strong bias toward a single solution.

Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership Group, believes that giving a chance to young, brilliant African students is the key to fostering innovation in Africa. Swaniker's African Leadership Academy offers a hands-on learning model and connects talent to opportunity.

Monique Idlett, founder and managing partner of Reign Ventures, aims to build a diverse portfolio of startups and values collaboration in scaling these startups. The final discussion of the closing plenary focused on building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.

The 2019 Solver Class will spend the next nine months working closely with Solve to scale their solutions through partnerships built with the Solve community. For more detailed information about the 2019 Solver Class, including focus areas and prize funding, we recommend consulting the official MIT Solve archives or their 2019 Challenge announcements.

  1. The Solve Challenge Finals highlighted the need for tech breakthroughs and policy changes to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.
  2. A total of $1.5 million in prize funding was announced for the Solver teams at the Solve Challenge Finals.
  3. Eight teams were selected from each challenge to form the 2019 Solver Class, focusing on solutions for Solve's 2019 Global Challenges.
  4. Articulate Zaria Forman presented stunning photographs of her pastel drawings capturing the impact of climate change on natural wonders.
  5. Vijay Vaitheeswaran '90 of The Economist and Jesper Brodin, president and CEO of Ingka Group (Ikea), discussed Ikea's mission to improve everyday life for people.
  6. Emi Mahmoud, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees goodwill ambassador, emphasized access to technology as a right, not a privilege.
  7. Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership Group, advocates for the importance of giving African students the opportunity to foster innovation in Africa.
  8. Monique Idlett, founder and managing partner of Reign Ventures, values collaboration in scaling diverse startup portfolios and building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.
  9. The 2019 Solver Class will work closely with Solve for the next nine months to scale their solutions through partnerships within the Solve community.
  10. Detailed information about the 2019 Solver Class, including focus areas and prize funding, can be found in the official MIT Solve archives or their 2019 Challenge announcements.
  11. Access to technology and fostering innovation through entrepreneurship and collaboration are crucial components for achieving mental and financial health, business success, and environmental sustainability.

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