UNLEASH, a renowned global innovation platform fostering collaborative efforts toward a sustainable future, is set to debut its Innovation Lab in Africa.
With a history of engagement spanning 172 countries and involving 7,000 talented young minds, UNLEASH has previously orchestrated Innovation Labs across various continents, including Denmark, Singapore, China, Greenland, and India.
Now, marking a significant milestone, UNLEASH is bringing its transformative Innovation Lab to the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda.
Slated to run from December 2 to December 8, the event will convene 1,000 young change makers from diverse corners of the globe.
This monumental event boasts a representation of talents from 136 countries, encompassing 70% of the world’s nations.
The assembly will include 100 Rwanda-based refugees, enhancing the Lab’s inclusive and globally diverse nature.
The prestigious Kigali Convention Center will set the stage for the opening ceremony, initiating a week-long journey of collaborative innovation at the Kigali Convention and Exhibition Village.
The culminating moments on December 8 will witness participants reconvening at the Kigali Convention Center to join the Hanga Pitchfest, a pinnacle of inventive prowess.
Throughout the week, UNLEASH Rwanda Talents will collaborate tirelessly, pooling their diverse expertise and experiences to ideate scalable solutions aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Solutions Festival will spotlight their creations, with top finalists progressing to present their prototypes at Hanga Pitchfest 2023.
This event, Rwanda’s prominent in-person technology congregation, will unite over 1,000 change makers globally alongside local Rwandan startups and innovators.
Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, expressed Rwanda’s pride in hosting UNLEASH’s inaugural African Innovation Lab.
She emphasized the significance of diversity, innovation, and human-centered design in crafting impactful global solutions.
Prof. Flemming Besenbacher, Chairperson of UNLEASH, echoed this sentiment, affirming Rwanda’s role as an ideal hub for collaborative youth-driven solutions toward sustainability.
UNLEASH’s commitment to inclusivity manifests through scholarships covering transportation, accommodation, and meals, ensuring accessibility for all participants.
Notably, UNLEASH Rwanda has partnered with UNHCR to include 100 refugees based in Rwanda, underscoring the Lab’s dedication to diverse representation and inclusion.
Post-Lab, UNLEASH Alumni will integrate into a global network, catalyzing local Hacks, becoming Ambassadors for future events, and gaining eligibility for UNLEASH’s Incubator Program, UNLEASH Plus.
As the world converges in Rwanda’s spirited landscape, the UNLEASH Innovation Lab promises a confluence of talent, innovation, and collaboration—a testament to youth empowerment and global progress toward a sustainable future.
