During the 4th cycle of Future Makers, 35 teams participated in a 5-month incubation program, which included international mentoring, specially designed workshops on business, forecasting and technology issues, VC presentations and financial support of 20,000 euros.
Specifically, this year 22 teams from 5 countries (Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia) took part, which had the opportunity to present their proposals before the jury of Future Makers.
The 4 winning teams received awards worth 20,000 euros and access to a global network of entrepreneurs, innovators and events that will offer them continuous opportunities to expand, grow and become part of an innovative and interconnected business environment.
The pitches took place at the Future Summit, a major online global event organized by Social Innovation Solutions dedicated to future trends, sustainability and the impact of technology on society.
The distinction with a cash prize of 10,000 euros and the title “Future Makers Grand Winner” won TOBORO – a Romanian peer-to-peer rental platform that allows users to borrow everyday items, bringing together borrowers and lenders on a platform that aims to encourage exchange, change consumer behaviour and facilitate the transition to a circular economy.
The 2nd place and a prize of 5,000 euros won the greek swim.me – a smart portable device designed by a team of engineers in Greece, for the orientation of blind swimmers in the pool. The system consists of a swimming cap and glasses and is intended for use in training conditions, in the pool.
The 3rd prize, worth 3,000 euros, went to another greek startup – Dataphoria, the first impact-driven data-for-good startup in the region. It is a platform with data analytics and artificial intelligence tools specifically tailored for businesses, government agencies and nonprofits with sustainability in mind
The platform collects and consolidates internal and external data, optimizes its operations and automates the measurement of their influence, aiming for a more sustainable world.
The 4th place, with an honorary fee of 2000 euros, went to DOIT, a Romanian application for young people where they can develop their skills by participating in practical challenges.
It is noted that Future Makers is organized by Social Innovation Solutions, in collaboration with the Global Shapers Bucharest Hub, and is supported by Raiffeisen Bank Romania and Enel România.
Social Innovation Solutions is an organization that offers advice and support to NGOs and businesses on their social footprint, future trends and innovation, while managing a variety of educational programs and business competitions such as the Social Impact Awards, Future Makers, Impact Accelerator and Future Youth Summit, discussion platforms such as Future Summit, Future Talks and Future Magazine, as well as the training of executives in the project as well as staff training in predictability through the Future Lab.