A website which strives to ignite young people's interest in politics was among the winners at an awards ceremony for new-media social enterprises.
Twelve finalists, chosen from hundreds of young entrepreneurs who submitted video entries, went head to head in a live pitch for the chance to win one of three £10,000 grants.
The Internet Explorer 8 Life Academy Awards celebrates the creativity of the generation who has grown up with internet and are now coming of age. Using new media, entrants submitted a two-minute video to the Internet Explorer 8 Life Academy, explaining their socially responsible idea and how they propose to take it forward.
The judging panel comprised of Professor Robert Winston, entrepreneur and lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman and Countdown mathematician Rachel Riley. Shortlisted ideas included building schools in Kenya; training football coaches in deprived countries; an online music collection of studio live sessions for local musicians; creating green energy from people's footsteps or providing a politics platform for aspiring councillors.
Shortlisted ideas included building schools in Kenya; training football coaches in deprived countries; an online music collection of studio live sessions for local musicians; creating green energy from people's footsteps or providing a politics platform for aspiring councillors
There were three award categories. Luke Duggleby, 22, a medical graduate at Bristol University won the Adventurer Explorer Grant for his charitable idea to build a Vocational Centre in Bweyale, Uganda. The young entrepreneur will use the funds to help bring the internet and services to the African town, which will significantly improve their personal and educational needs in the community.
Nick Palfrey, 23, from Plymouth won the Creativity Explorer Grant for Moofu Education, an e-learning system aimed at maximizing students’ potential by using multimedia tools and new technology to make learning spaces better. Using cutting-edge games technology, and an understanding of students’ needs, it encourages students to design, create and develop their own learning spaces - and interact with the elements within.
Rowenna Davis, 25, a graduate and freelance journalist from London won the Online Venture Grant for her concept Young People: Local Government. Rowenna entered the competition with an idea to target young people disillusioned and disengaged with mainstream politics. The prize money will go towards building a website that will link young people to local governments around the country who are struggling to find new councillors.
To find out about entering next year's competiton, visit the Life Academy website.
