Overview
The Bridge
Lab Challenge is an annual innovation and community-impact competition
initiated by Future Bridge Tech Foundation (FBTF) to inspire young innovators,
entrepreneurs and changemakers to develop sustainable solutions addressing
social, technological, and environmental challenges within their communities.
The
Challenge provides a platform for individuals and teams to research, prototype and present innovative ideas that align with FBTF’s mission of bridging gaps
and building bridges through technology, education and empowerment. It
promotes hands-on problem-solving, collaboration and creativity among youth
while nurturing a new generation of innovators committed to social good and
sustainability.
Each edition
of the Bridge Lab Challenge focuses on a specific theme such as digital
inclusion, green innovation, women’s empowerment, or community resilience, encouraging participants to apply design thinking and technology to real-world
issues.
Objectives
1. Promote
innovation and creativity among youth and community members to solve pressing
social challenges.
2. Encourage
community-driven solutions that are sustainable and scalable.
3. Provide
mentorship and technical support to participants to refine their ideas into
actionable projects.
4. Foster
collaboration among innovators, researchers, educators and organizations.
5. Create
opportunities for youth and women to access funding, incubation and capacity
development.
6.
Contribute to community development and sustainability through technology and
innovation.
Structure
& Components
The Bridge
Lab Challenge is structured in three main phases:
1. Call
for Ideas:
Interested
participants submit proposals highlighting innovative ideas that address a
given theme or challenge area.
2.
Selection & Mentorship Phase:
Shortlisted
applicants are invited to join a mentorship and training phase where they
receive guidance in project design, presentation, prototyping, and
sustainability planning.
3. Pitch
& Exhibition:
Finalists
present their projects before a panel of judges drawn from academia, industry,
and the non-profit sector. Winning teams receive seed funding, certificates,
and incubation opportunities to scale their solutions.
Management
by Volunteers
The
Challenge is coordinated by volunteer teams from FBTF’s various departments —
including program management, communications, partnerships, and research.
Program
Volunteers handle registration, participant support, and logistics.
Technical
Mentors (volunteer professionals) provide coaching on innovation, design and
sustainability.
Judging
Panel Support Volunteers manage presentation schedules and evaluation
logistics.
Communications
Volunteers oversee media coverage, social media updates and publicity.
This
volunteer-driven model not only promotes ownership and leadership development
but also ensures cost-effectiveness and inclusivity.
Eligibility
Criteria
The Bridge
Lab Challenge is open to:
·
Youth between 18 and 35 years (individuals or teams of
up to 5 members).
·
Innovators, students, entrepreneurs and professionals
passionate about community impact.
·
Applicants who are residents of Ghana or other African
countries (depending on the edition).
·
Individuals or groups who demonstrate originality,
feasibility and commitment to social impact.
Selection
Process
1. Online
Application: Applicants complete an online form describing their idea,
objectives, and expected community benefits.
2. Initial
Screening: Submissions are reviewed by a volunteer selection committee to
ensure alignment with the theme.
3.
Mentorship Selection: The best entries (usually top 20–30) advance to the
mentorship phase.
4. Final
Pitch: The top 10–15 participants or teams present their ideas to the judges.
5. Award
& Incubation: Winners receive financial support, mentorship, and exposure
through the Foundation’s network and partner platforms.
Benefits
to Participants
ü Access to
training and mentorship from industry experts.
ü Opportunity to
pitch before investors, donors and potential partners.
ü Seed funding or
resource grants for top-performing teams.
ü Certificates of
participation and recognition.
ü Media exposure
and promotion of their projects on FBTF platforms.
ü Opportunity to
join the FBTF Innovators Network for continuous support and collaboration.
Partnerships
& Collaborations
The Bridge
Lab Challenge thrives through partnerships with:
·
Universities and innovation hubs for research and
mentorship.
·
Private sector organizations providing funding or
technical resources.
·
Government agencies and NGOs supporting innovation and
youth development.
·
Media partners amplifying visibility and outreach.
Expected
Impact
ü Empower youth
innovators to design and implement community solutions.
ü Strengthen
community resilience through technology-driven projects.
ü Foster
collaboration and innovation culture across sectors.
ü Support SDG
goals, especially those relating to innovation, education, gender equality and
sustainability.
ü Create a
pipeline of future social entrepreneurs contributing to inclusive and
sustainable development.