Applications open for Innovation Fest: Tackle global challenges through social enterprise solutions

Young people today are navigating a world shaped by rising inequalities, the climate crisis, and the rapid growth of big tech. These interconnected challenges are reshaping how societies function, and they need bold, creative solutions.

Innovation Fest, run by UCL Grand Challenges, brings students together to tackle these issues head-on. Using an interdisciplinary, systems-change approach, you’ll explore complex problems from multiple perspectives and design solutions that create real impact.

You’ll choose one of four challenge tracks:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Climate Crisis

• Inequalities

• Data-Empowered Societies

Across four fast-paced days, you’ll respond to a live brief set by an enterprise partner, working in teams to ideate, test and prototype your ideas. The week culminates in a pitching competition, where you’ll present your solution and take your enterprise to the next level.

This four-day challenge is your opportunity to think big, experiment boldly, and define how you want to change the world, and what practical steps you can take to get there.

Innovation Fest will take place 1-4 June 2026 as part of UCL 200 and ExtendED Learning.

Applications open on 23 February and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply is 18 May, but applications may close early if spaces fill up so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Find out more and apply via the Student Union website.

Discover more about our Grand Challenges education offer in this short blog by former Students’ Union Education Officer, who reflects on the impact and opportunities it creates for students.