Five young entrepreneurs were named as finalists in this year’s Young Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC), an initiative launched by Verizon and Unloc. The challenge, now in its seventh year, aims to discover the business leaders of tomorrow by tasking young European entrepreneurs between the ages of 16 and 25 to devise a tech-led business idea that addresses a key industry or societal issue.

This year’s challenge highlighted a number of business models that tackle current sustainability and healthcare challenges including water restoration robots, biodegradable textiles from kombucha by-products, reforestation hexapod robots, a floating solar solution and a robotic glove for stroke rehabilitation.

We received over 100 competitive and innovative business ideas from a wide range of countries across Europe including the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Slovakia, Turkey, Portugal, Austria, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia and Poland.

“Throughout the past seven years,  the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge has been a brilliant opportunity to discover young and promising talent across Europe. There is nothing like the imagination and innovation of a young mind. The YEC serves as a platform to help bring their ideas to life,” said Sanjiv Gossain, General Manager and Head of EMEA for Verizon Business.

Ultimately, the impressive Marta Bernardino won the Grand Prize, taking home a cheque for £10,000 to invest in her business Trovador, as well as a mentorship package, entry to the One Young World Global Summit, and a host of new friends to empower her on her journey.  It’s a reminder that young people have such untapped talent and vision, with imagination, creativity and determination to make a change in society and improve the world around them.