Explore our challenge prizes
Want to help solve some of society’s biggest problems? You’re in the right place
This could be your opportunity to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
Challenge Works supports smart ideas and ingenious solutions, wherever they come from. We believe inventors can come from any background or sector, so we work to break down barriers, support long-term success and nurture innovation talent every step of the way.
We have worked with thousands of innovator teams and dozens of funders to find solutions to problems, draw attention to societal issues, and bring about real change.
Read on to find out more about our current and past portfolio of challenge prizes.
European Social Innovation Competition 2021
Looking for scalable social innovations that will contribute to job creation, growth and competitiveness in Europe.
Water Breakthrough Challenge 1
Driving wide-scale transformational change in the water sector.
Smart Ageing Prize 2020
Looking for solutions that empower older adults to engage in entrepreneurship.
Smart Ageing Prize 2018
Using innovative digital technologies to support older people to participate fully in social life.
Longitude Prize on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The Longitude Prize on AMR supported the development of a novel, affordable, accurate and rapid diagnostic tests to slow the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Longitude Explorer Prize 2015
Encouraged young people to develop a new generation of satellite applications for social good.
Amazon Longitude Explorer Prize
Challenging young people to use technology to create an app, product or service to improve the world
Million Cool Roofs Challenge
Accelerating access to affordable, sustainable cooling through rapid deployment of cool roof materials.
Mobility Unlimited Challenge
Supporting radical improvements in the mobility and independence of people with lower-limb paralysis through smarter assistive technology.
UNDP Renewable Energy Prize
Seeking renewable energy solutions for families in rural Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Waste Reduction Challenge
The Waste Reduction Challenge Prize offered a prize for the innovation that achieved the biggest measurable reduction in waste.
Smart Ageing Prize 2016
Using the Internet of Things to empower older adults to achieve the quality of life they aspire to.
Challenge prizes
Discover how challenge prizes work, why they attract the right innovators and how they can help solve urgent problems where solutions are lacking.