Young Sustainable Impact
Founded at 17. Grew to 10,000 applicants from 171 countries building startups toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Problem
After COP21 in Paris, it was clear that young people wanted to create impact but lacked access to resources, mentorship, and community. The structures that existed were either too academic or too exclusive. Someone needed to build the bridge.
The Process
Founded Young Sustainable Impact at 17 in Oslo. Created a fully-funded innovation program that gathers the best young talents from around the world to build startups tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Built partnerships with major organizations: Yara (Norwegian chemical company), City of Oslo, and Vestre (sustainable furniture). Used NovoEd for online education in innovation, creativity, and leadership, and Facebook to connect, match, and mentor youth globally.
Expanded from a Norwegian initiative to a truly global movement with teams in Bangladesh, South-East Asia, and China. The program combined online education with in-person innovation sprints in Oslo.
The Outcome
Grew to 10,000 applicants from 171 countries. Nominated for Best Social Impact Award by Nordic Startup Awards. Proved that a teenager from Norway could mobilize a global movement when the mission is real enough.