imaGen Ventures

We are bringing together bright young minds to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing their generation.

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Generation Unlimited

Now more than ever, the world needs young people’s ideas, their talents and their energy. Inspiring young people to tackle some of today’s biggest challenges can lead to innovative and entrepreneurial social change – ultimately helping to bring about a more equal and sustainable world.

 

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Generation Unlimited

Since it was set up in 2018, imaGen Ventures has provided over 15 million young people with access to entrepreneurial skill building opportunities. The global initiative brings together partners to nurture a critical mass of young entrepreneurs dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realizing a better future globally.

It has never been more important to cultivate in young people the entrepreneurial mindset and skills to create a new future of work, society and the environment. The private sector expects massive reskilling and upskilling of the labour market and for radical career shifts to become the norm. In fact, by 2027, 60 per cent of the global workforce will be independent or freelance workers.

imaGen Ventures equips young people with the entrepreneurial skills to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, by setting up enterprises that bring about social change. 

The initiative also equips youth with skills to catalyse social impact and create a more sustainable future for humanity and the planet. It encourages and supports young people to become changemakers and have an impact in their communities, in their countries and even around the world.

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Generation Unlimited
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Generation Unlimited

The imaGen Ventures approach

Young people can effect change when backed by a support system fostered by global actors. imaGen Ventures inspires and supports millions of young people around the world to build growth-oriented and socially motivated enterprises. The initiative works with young people to nurture skills for the future and foster an entrepreneurial mindset and resilience through immersive experiences. And it supports youth-led ventures with grants, seed funding, and mentorship opportunities.

The initiative’s tested and holistic youth-centred approach – co-designed, co-created and co-led by young people – is based on the principle of leaving no young person behind

To reach young people, the initiative uses existing non-formal education structures, entrepreneurship support systems and youth engagement infrastructure (especially digital and blended approaches) as entry points. In these ways, it mobilizes young people – particularly the most marginalized – and equips them with transferable skills for work in the twenty-first century and competencies to prepare them for adulthood and for navigating the entrepreneurship space.

The model combines leading approaches to youth development with human-centred design and entrepreneurial skill-building to empower young people to become innovators and entrepreneurs. The goal is twofold: to create sustained self-employment for young people and achieve positive community development.

imaGen Ventures Global Incubation Week 2024

10 teams of top young innovators from 40,000 entrepreneurs gathered in Istanbul to scale solutions for climate change and global issues.

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imaGen Ventures Implementation Guide

Insights, case studies and resources for implementing imaGen Ventures in your country

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Unveiling the Next-Gen imaGen Ventures Youth Entrepreneurs

Ten youth teams will be awarded seed funding and crucial incubation support from GenU in collaboration with partners for their promising solutions.

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Young innovators discover climate solutions in organic waste

The inventions of the young Egyptian team could revolutinize farming in the Gulf Area.

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From waste to livelihoods

‘ReChas’ take recycling to the next level

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Young innovator from India develops wearable assistive devic

Blind Eye from India is one of winners of the global Generation Unlimited imaGen Ventures winners

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Convening youth entrepreneurs innovating for global goals

The Global Incubation Workshop brought together imaGen Venture 2022 global winners to further develop their innovations aimed at achieving the SDGs

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Young people invent an award-winning eco-toilet

Youth-led business benefits from training and seed-funding

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Announcing the global winners of imaGen Ventures 2022

The winning teams represent the brightest ideas of thousands of young innovators working to improve their communities

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imaGen Ventures marks third edition of competition (2022)

A process co-designed, co-created and co-led by youth entrepreneurs has footprint in more than 60 countries

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Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2019/20

Young innovators develop their own game-changing ideas and make an impact for their communities.

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Meet the winners of the second GenU Youth Challenge 2019/20

This initiative is organized by Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, UNDP, Plan International, and the Scouts

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Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2018/19

16 countries. 800 young innovators. Unlimited potential to change the world.

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Meet the global winners of the Youth Challenge 2018/19

These bright young minds have what it takes to change the world.

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Youth Challenge global finalists

Meet 32 teams of young innovators with exciting ideas for education, skills and empowerment.

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Youth Challenge 2018/19 winners, Team Amigo, drive solutions

Using technology, Team Amigo seeks to ensure access to textbooks and other learning materials for disadvantaged children.

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