Simon’s journey into space exploration began in his Czech hometown, inspired by Star Wars marathons and building rockets at age 12. At 16, he led his high school team to win NASA awards at the Conrad Challenge for a satellite-restarting laser system, gaining recognition from the Czech Prime Minister. This year, his team’s LASARsat satellite will launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to test their innovation in orbit. A recipient of numerous accolades, including the European Space Agency’s Hack an Exoplanet prize, Simon dreams of making space exploration accessible to all students, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Adekoyejo Kuye is an innovative energy entrepreneur and CEO of KAMIM Technologies Limited, a leading Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firm in Nigeria. With nearly a decade of experience, he focuses on clean energy solutions for the power and agricultural sectors, including pioneering solar-powered cold rooms by repurposing end-of-life generators. Adekoyejo, who holds an engineering background and is pursuing an MBA in Energy and Sustainability, has spearheaded projects that connect thousands of farmers to sustainable energy. His leadership and commitment to sustainability have earned him awards from SEforALL, Carbon Trust, and others, and he is a prominent contributor to global energy dialogues, including at the United Nations.
Adolfo is a 23-year-old scientist, biotechnologist, and CEO of Celal-Mex, a startup turning pineapple waste into eco-friendly raw materials for products like diapers and bioplastics. Named Mexico's top student entrepreneur and recognized globally, Adolfo shares insights on scientific entrepreneurship with over 15,000 followers on TikTok and gives talks across Mexico to support scientists and entrepreneurs. His journey began after creating an electric wheelchair adapter inspired by his father's battle with brain cancer. Today, Celal-Mex has received acclaim from institutions like MIT and Babson College, aiming to inspire Mexican youth in science and innovation.
Jovia Kisakye, a social entrepreneur with a background in environmental science and business statistics from Makerere University, leads sustainable initiatives through Ecobed Biotech Brand. As CEO, she innovates in waste management and agriculture, creating mosquito-repellent skincare from spoiled milk and plant extracts and using fly larvae to transform food waste into organic fertilizers and animal feed for farmers. Recognized internationally by organizations like UNCTAD and Dovetail Impact Foundation, Jovia also serves on the African Union Youth Reference Committee, where she advocates for women’s empowerment and climate action across Africa.
Tamara is an expert in penal reform, who uses an evidence-based approach to support prisoner rehabilitation. Tamara previously worked as a prison officer in England & Wales as a participant of the Unlocked Graduates Programme, a leadership scheme for outstanding graduates. After her frontline role, Tamara informed national and international prison research and strategy for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and His Majesty's Prison Service in England & Wales. Since then, Tamara has founded her own NPO, Richtungswechsel, where she is currently applying her knowledge in penal reform and research to innovative solutions in supporting prisons tackling staffing problems, reducing reoffending, and improving prison conditions affecting outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
Stanley Anigbogu is a Nigerian creative technologist and social entrepreneur committed to tackling energy poverty and environmental challenges. As the Founder and CEO of LightEd, he transforms electronic and plastic waste into solar-powered solutions, providing clean, affordable energy to underserved communities across Africa. Stanley’s innovations, such as the Glow Lamp and Avatar Station, have impacted thousands, promoting sustainability and education while reducing energy poverty.Globally recognized for his work, Stanley has earned prestigious awards, including the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, the Swarovski Foundation Creative for Our Future Program, and the Globethics Youth Leadership Award. He is also a 776 Climate Fellow and an Echoing Green Fellow. His mission focuses on empowering communities and inspiring youth and community-led climate action for a more sustainable future.
Samih Daher is a 27-year-old healthcare professional from Lebanon, passionately dedicated to sexual health advocacy and a prominent voice within the LGBTQ+ community. Holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a Master’s in Clinical Research from Université Paris-Saclay, Samih specializes in the complexities of STDs and STIs, including HIV and Hepatitis. He has conducted numerous impactful workshops, such as “Sexual Health for Young Men” and “Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health,” creating open, safe environments for individuals to learn and discuss sensitive health topics. In 2023, Samih founded the SAPHe Community, an initiative aimed at improving access to sexual health resources and fostering peer support, underscoring his commitment to building a healthier, more informed society.
Kevin Jin Kwan Kim is a Korean-Canadian director and editor based in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Known for his rhythmic editing style and his talent for storytelling, he brings to life intimate, relatable narratives that highlight BIPOC voices. His micro-shorts on heritage, including What Did They Say? and Halmeoni, have collectively garnered over 40 million views and recognition at the YDA in Cannes, the Webby Awards, CBC, and more. His short film Sun, Moon and Four Peaks premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival, winning the Grand Prix RPCE at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema.
Thomas Terhemba James is from Nigeria, he is the founder of TED InnovativeSolutions Limited. With a background in electrical and electronics engineering, headdresses social challenges in rural communities in Nigeria associated with lack ofelectricity; with clean and renewable energy production. Using digital technology andArtificial Intelligence based model to learn and analyse customer data to offerpersonalised, flexible payment based on energy consumption and financialbehaviour, breaking affordability barriers. Thomas has earned local and internationalrecognition, including support from the Nigerian Content Development andMonitoring Board under the science and Technology Innovations Challenge (STIC),International Telecommunications Union, and Huawei under their GCYLP fellowshipand is committed to using innovation to create a sustainable business model andimpact.
Muhammad Zubair Madni is a digital and social innovator with over five years of experience in designing impactful, locally tailored interventions to bridge Pakistan's digital divide. Holding a master’s in Digital Technologies, Communication, and Education from the University of Manchester as a Chevening scholar, his work focuses on ICT solutions to improve connectivity and learning in underserved areas. As co-founder of the Cholistan Centre of Excellence, he leads the DIGITAL ROHI project in collaboration with the ITU, bringing digital access to marginalized communities. His efforts have reached over 10,000 people, earning him Pakistan's National Youth Award in 2021.
Eligible applicants are young change-makers aged 15 to 30 by 1 July 2024, leading early-stage projects or social ventures, or possessing innovative ideas with the potential to make a significant impact on communities and the environment.
Applications can be submitted individually or as a team; however, the prize money for the project acceleration will be awarded to the individual leading the submission process. Admission to the Moonshot Young Leaders Camp will be determined by the Moonshot Jury Panel, which will consider both the needs of the applicants and available spots.
Project involvement varies. Some are founders with majority equity, while others join later but contribute with equal passion and leadership. At Moonshot, we support anyone striving for a positive future. We welcome applications from those who meet our criteria, hold a C-level or leadership role, and drive their projects forward, regardless of their equity or founder status.
The Main Category Awards are structured around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They are divided into three categories: Idea, Startup, and Not-for-Profit, each targeting different stages of project development from concepts needing launch support to registered operations aiming to scale.
These awards recognize projects within specific domains such as Learning, Health, Art for Peace, AI for Good, and Borderless initiatives. Each project can be nominated for multiple thematic awards based on its solution's scope and impact.
Yes, applicants may submit up to three distinct applications. If your project qualifies for multiple thematic categories, you can indicate this in a single application rather than submitting multiple applications for the same project.
Winners receive grants, or funding ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $60,000, either as an equity-free grant or an equity-based investment, totaling $100,000 across all categories. Additionally, up to 100 shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in acceleration programs, which include mentorship and integration into a vibrant community, enhancing both their projects and personal growth.
The Moonshot Awards jury looks at each application holistically through a multitude of lenses and from several angles. We recognize each project is unique and prioritizes slightly different goals and approaches, but generally we evaluate projects on 5 key criteria under our proprietary “V.I.T.I.V.” framework:
· Viability — What are the prospects for long-term survival? When faced with “the real world”, will the initiative be able to sustain itself over time?
· Innovativeness — The idea of “not reinventing the wheel” is useful at times, but to change the status quo, truly novel approaches are needed.
Is the idea completely new, or has it been thought of and tried before?
· Transferability – It’s always perfectly fine – and in fact recommended – to start out with a small initial target audience and geography, but what then..? Can the idea be implemented in other parts of the world, and add to a truly global impact?
· Impact Potential — If fully developed, successfully implemented, and adopted, what is the magnitude of the change that the idea can create? Will it help a few thousand, or can it truly change the lives of billions?
· Value-fit — As a mission-driven organization, we seek to award projects that create a positive change in the world and align with our core tenets of equality, sustainability, diversity, value-centricity, and collaboration.
At the same time, from our experience, we know the founding team is very much a key make-or-break factor that determines the success of a project, and thus, we look at the applicant / leader / initiator too. It isn’t about coming up with ideas—it’s about the work put in to see them through.
As such, we look for entrepreneurs, community workers, and leaders who show to us that they have what it takes to become global drivers of change who can make their project succeed. Some common key traits among the most successful applicants are:
Winners are determined through a four-stage evaluation system that includes both human and AI assessments. Applications that reach the shortlist are thoroughly reviewed by evaluators and judges based on criteria such as innovation, alignment with the SDGs, potential impact, scalability, feasibility, and the credibility of the founding team. Additional materials such as videos, photos, or links may be requested to deepen the evaluation.
Applications should clearly outline the problem being solved, describe the proposed solution, and answer specific questions found in the online form. Applicants will have the opportunity to update their submissions during subsequent review phases.
Submissions are evaluated on rolling basis, and the cmpetition ill close once a sufficiant number of quality applications are received. Important deadlines include:
· Moonshot Camp 2024: To be considered for the July 15-19 young leaders' acceleration program in the Czech Republic, submit by June 7.
· Moonshot Camp 2024: The final deadline is September 6. Late submissions will not be considered, and the application process may close early if capacity is reached.
Only those that apply for the Moonshot Awards will be considered for attending the Moonshot Camp. Top applications will be selected for an interview by the Moonshot team and based on the evaluation invited to the Camp.
Winners will be notified via email and their names will be announced publicly on our platform by October 2024. Ensure that your contact information is accurate in your application.
Yes, the Moonshot Awards welcome applications from around the globe, underscoring our dedication to nurturing global innovation and transformative change.
Moonshot offers limited grants to help with costs for the applicants / attendees / winners, so there aren't any costs associated with both events.
Moonshot offers limited grants to help with costs for the applicants / attendees / winners, so there aren't any costs associated with both events.