The Covid-19 pandemic and the massive and sudden challenges it has brought and amplified have been a live demonstration of how technology can help businesses, governments, and civil society overcome complex issues when used responsibly. In Europe, the 2020 shift to digital has created huge opportunities for the tech industry. What many feared would break the investment growth of recent years, instead, broke investment records. We are witnessing a surge in innovation from many promising European start-ups and scale-ups, and we want to encourage those initiatives that can change lives for the better.

An increasing number of large and small businesses and organisations are putting technology to good use and innovating in health, education, sustainability, welfare,  livelihoods, and several other areas. Tech for Good is now a worldwide movement that aims to address social, environmental and economic challenges through technology.

What is Super Connect for Good?

In response to the increase of Tech for Good initiatives, recruiting experts Hays Recruiting Experts in Information Technology and global super connectors Empact Ventures launched a ‘Super Connect for Good’ competition in the UK and Ireland last year in a bid to uncover the best emerging tech start-ups and scale-ups that make a positive impact on people’s lives. We received hundreds of entries and selected Beam, a London-based social enterprise that helps fund and support homeless people into training, as the winner in front of attendants from 38 countries worldwide in our Virtual Final in November 2020.

Following the success of the 2020 competition, we have again partnered with Empact Ventures to expand Super Connect for Good across Europe. This year, we will select 10 European Innovation Stream Winners and runners-up, and a European Overall Champion, giving tech start-ups and scale-ups multiple opportunities for recognition.

Entries are now open for this year

Start-ups and scale-ups can now apply to compete in AI for Good, MedTech, HealthTech, FinTech for Good, EdTech, Smart Cities (including IoT, Mobility, 5G), CleanTech and General Tech for Good, as well as in an Industry Specific Challenge and a Pre-Seed Challenge.

Applications will be judged by an expert panel of regional experts, entrepreneurs, funders, and professionals. Alongside Hays Technology and Empact Ventures, the competition is backed by partners including Microsoft for Start-ups, the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Surgical MedTech Co-operative, the OVHcloud Startup Programme and others.

Before announcing the ten overall industry winners in our Virtual Final, we will be showcasing the top ten in each industry category in our Top 100 Innovation Showcase. You do not have to enter the competition to attend this event. Attendees will have the opportunity to see start-ups and scale-ups in each innovation area compete in front of judges and our live virtual audience, super connect with Tech for Good start-ups and scale-ups, and be virtually super connected to three companies/start-ups based on their interests within eight weeks of the event.

The future of Tech for Good

Super Connect for Good is a platform to help drive growth in the Tech for Good movement and support the overall start-up ecosystem by encouraging collaboration. Sharing networks and resources provides infinite opportunities for Tech for Good start-ups to continue to innovate in ways that create meaningful change and enhance people’s lives through technology.

If you are a tech start-up or a scale-up founder and would like to apply to the competition, make sure you submit your application by 6pm on 16th July 2021.

If you would like to attend the Top 100 Innovation Showcase Event on 30th September, register your place today.