Shape the Future Challenge Logo
Shape the Future Challenge Logo

Do you have what it takes to solve the world’s biggest challenges?
We think you do!

Are you between 15 and 20? Then join the Shape the Future Challenge, brought to you in collaboration with Volkswagen Group, and get a chance to work with international mentors while developing innovative solutions for a greener, sustainable, and accessible future of mobility.

We want you to THINK BIG! Whether you’re interested in autonomous vehicles, smart cities, sustainable transportation, or climate-resilient infrastructure, this challenge is for you.

We believe that young people have what it takes to develop innovative solutions that will make a real difference in tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

The team with the best solution wins a trip to Silicon Valley, California!

HOW IT WORKS

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element

01

APPLY

APRIL 3RD – MAY 7TH
Submit Your Application

– Apply as an individual or team, with or without an idea

– Receive your acceptance email to the challenge on May 8

– Get invited to the challenge space on the Moonshot Pirates platform

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element

02

TEAM UP

MAY 8TH – MAY 15TH
Finding a Kick-ass Team

– Join the Kick-off call on May 9 & other networking events

– Learn about the winning criteria and milestones

– Find your teammates and submit your team

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element

03

CHALLENGE

MAY 15TH – JUNE 4TH
Developing Your Ideas

– Attend the Opening Ceremony on May 15th

– Book mentoring sessions, participate in workshops, and reach challenge milestones

– Submit your idea for the future of mobility and a 1-minute pitch video

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element

04

FINALS

JUNE 6TH – JUNE 15TH
Voting & Final Pitching

– Selection of 7 final teams through online and partners’ vote

– Final Pitching of team’s sustainable solutions for the future of mobility

– Award ceremony and jury selection of the winning team

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element

LET’S SHAPE
THE FUTURE
OF MOBILITY
TOGETHER

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element

How do people want to move around megacities and rural areas in the coming decades? What options can we offer that will meet their needs? And how – with what kind of technological solutions – do we implement them into products, services, and new business models in such a way that we achieve our climate targets? We at Volkswagen Group Innovation think these questions need to be tackled in the upcoming years within mobility.

#carbonneutralmobility #urbanmobility #autonomousdriving

With its “NEW AUTO – Mobility for Generations to Come” strategy, Volkswagen strives to become one of the world’s leading software-driven mobility providers by 2030. With a wide range of skills and its international network, Volkswagen Group Innovation is dedicated to focal points such as decarbonization, security, conserving resources, and future mobility models for maximum customer benefits.

One of the most pressing issues within the field of mobility for national roads operator like ASFINAG is the need to improve the carbon footprint and find innovative solutions to reduce traffic congestion. This includes reducing the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads, addressing issues such as speeding and distracted driving, and investing in infrastructure improvements such as better road design and maintenance. Additionally, there is a need to address the impact of transportation on the environment, including reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation options.

#smarthighways #smartmobility #greenhighway

As a reliable, innovative, and sustainable mobility partner, we connect regions and people in the heart of Europe. ASFINAG was founded in 1982 and is a company owned by the state. Our tasks: We plan, fund, build, maintain, operate, and collect tolls along almost 2,249 kilometers of motorways and expressways.

MEET THE MENTORS

From mobility experts to innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, coders, and brand gurus, our experienced mentors and advisors can help turn your ideas into reality.

CHALLENGE KEY DATES

APRIL 3 – MAY 7
APPLICATION

MAY 9
KICK OFF CALL
& NETWORKING

MAY 9 – MAY 15
NETWORKING

MAY 15
MILESTONE 1:
TEAM SIGN UP

MAY 15
START & OPENING
CEREMONY WITH PARTNERS

MAY 15 – JUNE 4
CHALLENGE & MENTORING SLOTS

MAY 30
MILESTONE 2:
SUBMIT IDEA CANVAS

JUNE 4
MILESTONE 3:
FINAL SUBMISSION

JUNE 6 – JUNE 10
ONLINE VOTING

JUNE 11 – JUNE 14
FINAL PREPARATIONS

JUNE 15
PITCHING CEREMONY

SEPTEMBER 2023
SILICON VALLEY
TRIP

We are looking for young people between the ages of 15 and 20 with creative, innovative, and bold ideas and solutions for the future of mobility. If you’re one of them, don’t wait! Apply for the challenge by May 7th. And don’t forget to tell your friends to shape the future with you!
Join the kick-off call and start networking with your fellow participants on May 9. During this week, you can attend networking events to find a team to join the challenge with.
This is where the fun begins! During this online challenge, you will have the chance to work on innovative solutions shaping the future of mobility with support from international mentors. Step by step, you’ll receive educational and inspirational videos, an idea-generation process, workshops, and tips and tricks for executing your ideas!

 

Want to find out what happened in our previous challenges? Check out the ideas developed, the final pitch nights, and who were the winners here:

 

The top-ranked team from the public online voting, together with four teams selected through online voting and criteria assessment, one team selected by mentors’ vote, and two teams by partners’ vote, will present their projects during the final Pitching Ceremony. Vote for your favorite ideas here!
Once your team reaches the finals, you’ll be supported by a professional pitch trainer to make the most out of your final presentation.
The top seven teams will be part of a final Shape the Future challenge pitching ceremony, presenting their solutions to the public and a jury. The team with the best solution will win a trip to Silicon Valley, California.
The team with the best idea selected during the final pitching will be invited to fly with Moonshot Pirates to Silicon Valley in California together. The trip includes flights, accommodations, a week of meetings with startups, workshops, visits to companies like Instagram, Apple, Pinterest, and Google, and exploring the University of Silicon Valley and Stanford campuses. The team will learn about the way of life and work in Silicon Valley while exploring the beauty of San Francisco. The exact travel dates will be aligned directly with the winners.

THE WINNERS’ TRIP

The 5-day program in Silicon Valley includes workshops, meeting interesting startups and founders, visiting companies like Meta, Apple, Amazon, and Google. You will explore campuses of the Silicon Valley University and Stanford.⁣ You will get all the insights, explore the future of education, and discover the entrepreneurial mindset and moonshot thinking behind the area! This experience will undoubtedly shape your future!

Watch the highlight video to join the previous challenge winners on their journey to Silicon Valley.

IN COOPERATION WITH

The following partners helped us put together this amazing experience for you!

&

Tata & Friends Logo

THANK YOU, mates!

ANY OPEN QUESTIONS?

Shape the Future of Mobility | Global Youth Challenge | Element