The World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) has announced an exciting call for posters for its SDG Impact and Entrepreneurship Poster Competition. This global initiative invites researchers from universities and research organizations to showcase their innovative solutions addressing local and global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The competition aims to bridge the gap between research and market implementation, providing a crucial platform for projects with the potential to create significant impact. Researchers often face challenges in bringing their technologies to market due to a lack of business expertise and connections to downstream customers, which are essential for securing project funding. Meanwhile, impact investors are actively seeking projects that meaningfully contribute to the SDGs. The SDG Impact and Entrepreneurship Poster Competition seeks to address these challenges by equipping participants with the skills, connections, and recognition needed to advance their projects.

The competition will kick off with a webinar titled "Why Isn’t My Project Attracting Investors?" Participants will receive guidance on creating "roadmaps to investor readiness," which they will then present through posters. The call for poster submissions is open from August 1 to September 30, 2024. The WAITRO Secretariat will screen the applications, and accepted posters will be displayed in the SDG-Impact Poster Area at the WAITRO Summit 2024.

Registered attendees at the summit will vote for the best posters, selecting finalists who will participate in a rapid pitch session before an audience and a panel of international experts. This pitch session offers a critical opportunity for finalists to showcase their projects and secure support. Winners will receive prizes and, more importantly, be partnered with a WAITRO-affiliated incubator, where they will receive coaching to execute their roadmap.

Beyond recognition, the competition aims to connect researchers with impact investors and other stakeholders. WAITRO has pledged to assist selected project teams in finding financial support or additional guidance if needed. Additionally, winners will be invited to present their progress at the next WAITRO Summit, scheduled for 2026, further increasing the visibility and impact of their work.

Researchers and innovators interested in participating are encouraged to prepare their submissions promptly, leveraging this opportunity to advance their projects and contribute to achieving the SDGs.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

Photo/WAITRO

https://waitro.org/programs-services/waitro-summit-2024-sdg-impact-award/#program-details-FAQ