Birds eye view of a team of architects and engineers pouring over designs on a table

Inspiring the next generation of STEM talent

Use our expertise to support the next generation of STEM innovators and help young people start their own STEM businesses.

About the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge

The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge is an international ideas competition to unite and support young people in developing world-changing business solutions to social and environmental problems. SThree has stepped up as a partner for the challenge and launched the STEM prize.

The competition brings together innovators, aged 18-30, and their ideas, that relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The non-profit group, Social Shifters aims to build a global community of social leaders while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development goals.

We're delighted to have the opportunity to use our expertise to support the next generation of STEM innovators and help young people build their own STEM enterprises.

Gemma Branney - Head of ESG
“From climate change to life-saving vaccines, we work every day to bring skilled people together to help develop solutions for some of the most complex problems facing the world. This challenge is helping to kick-start new STEM based social ventures, developing the STEM talent pipeline and showing people a STEM career is one with purpose." Gemma Branney, Head of ESG, SThree

Meet the finalists and their social enterprise ideas

The STEM prize finalists showcased their ideas at the Social Enterprise World Youth Forum on Monday, 27 September. The WayPoints team have been announced as the winners and Metacarpal as runners-up - they'll receive $10,000 and $5,000 worth of funding from SThree to kick-start their social venture. 

Providing access to medical testing through mobile and logistics technology
24 September 2021

Providing access to medical testing through mobile and logistics technology

This health tech start-up uses mobile and logistics technology to provide access to medical testing, including COVID-19 in rural Nigeria.

Improving mobility and quality of life through 3D printed prosthetics
24 September 2021

Improving mobility and quality of life through 3D printed prosthetics

Improving mobility and quality of life through 3D printed prosthetics

Digitising water utility operations to reduce water shortages in Africa
24 September 2021

Digitising water utility operations to reduce water shortages in Africa

How the WayPoints team developed software that brings water utility operations in Africa into the 21st century.

Tackling bacterial diseases in agriculture and beyond
24 September 2021

Tackling bacterial diseases in agriculture and beyond

The Uniphage team are hoping their innovative STEM business concept will create platform technology to cure bacterial diseases in agricul...

Alleviating single-use plastic in the fast food sector
24 September 2021

Alleviating single-use plastic in the fast food sector

A team of students from India developed sustainable food packaging to reduce the amount of plastic packaging being produced

What if you could turn single-use face masks into clean energy?
24 September 2021

What if you could turn single-use face masks into clean energy?

Living Energy are hoping their innovative STEM business concept will turn our global single-use plastic problem into a clean energy source.

Transforming the construction market with a low-carbon alternative
24 September 2021

Transforming the construction market with a low-carbon alternative

A team of young entrepreneurs from India have developed a low-carbon alternative that could transform the global construction market.

Who knew cows loved the salty taste of seaweed?
24 September 2021

Who knew cows loved the salty taste of seaweed?

Based in the UK, a team of students have developed a cow feed that uses seaweed to reduce the amount of methane entering the atmosphere

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Our role in a wider society

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Breaking the Glass (BTG) programme helps to address gender disparity in STEM
01 March 2023

Breaking the Glass (BTG) programme helps to address gender disparity in STEM

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01 March 2023

Diversity in engineering

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Carbon dioxide removal is increasing demand for STEM expertise
28 February 2023

Carbon dioxide removal is increasing demand for STEM expertise

Capturing and storing carbon dioxide is set to play an important part in efforts to halt climate change. What jobs and skills will be nee...

The women in science who are building a sustainable world
10 February 2023

The women in science who are building a sustainable world

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science who are in the fight to build a better world.

Micro-credentialing: Can it be The Future of Work And Learning?
09 February 2023

Micro-credentialing: Can it be The Future of Work And Learning?

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Will the rise of contracting continue?

Our research shows that contracting continues to grow in popularity, but will temporary roles soon outnumber permanent ones? Explore what...

ESG during a recession – why should employers still care?
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ESG during a recession – why should employers still care?

SThree’s Director of Purpose and Inclusion, Gemma Branney, shares her views on why ESG becomes even more important during economically to...

Flexible staffing solutions for challenging times
26 January 2023

Flexible staffing solutions for challenging times

Companies increasingly want to staff projects with on-demand and agile STEM skills, during tough times employers want flexible options. F...