MIT Solve Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery Challenge 2024 (Prize: $300,000)

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About MIT Solve Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery Challenge

What technological innovations might entrepreneurs use to expand and enhance resources for victims of contemporary slavery? This Challenge looks for extraordinary solutions from survivors that use morally-responsible technology, like as artificial intelligence, to scale and enhance vital resources by:

• Enhancing the available resources for social, legal, economical, physical, and mental health.
• Increasing knowledge of and access to vital survivor resources.
• Improving coordination, data gathering and sharing, and communication efficiency to strengthen the provider ecosystem.
• Teaching and assisting current groups and agencies on how to connect with and assist survivors in a proper manner.

Overview:

Globally, about 50 million people are held in modern slavery, with a disproportionate number of women and children being impacted. A third of victims of human trafficking are minors under the age of eighteen. Although survivors come in all shapes and sizes, migrants and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be victims of exploitation. If they do not have a safe place to go, 80% of survivors become victims again. In order for survivors to prosper in society, better ways to supply resources and access to support are required, even though many organizations are striving to raise awareness of and reduce the dangers associated with forced labor and modern slavery.

In their attempts to start again, survivors of modern slavery confront numerous obstacles, such as estrangement, a lack of essential documentation, and restricted access to money, housing, and good jobs. Technology that is developed and used ethically, like artificial intelligence (AI), has the potential to improve outcomes, boost impact, and enable more effective solutions to the most difficult problems facing humanity. However, organizations that support survivors of modern slavery and scalable, tech-focused solutions continue to face a lack of support.

In order to assist victims of modern slavery in reconstructing their lives and reintegrating into society, organizations all over the world are creatively utilizing technology and scaling resources. These resources include bank accounts and credit, affordable housing, childcare, trauma-informed healthcare, and career placement. They are aware that in order for change to be effective, a vibrant ecosystem of innovators bound by a shared goal must be supported in addition to individual solutions.

• School: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Benefits of MIT Solve Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery Challenge

• The finalists will be asked to participate in a virtual pitch event where they will showcase their solutions in front of esteemed judges. There is a $300,000 grant pool available for up to five Challenge winners. The two grand prize winners will receive $75,000 each, and the three runners-up will receive $50,000 apiece.
• Each Challenge winner will get cash in addition to taking part in a 6-month assistance program administered by MIT Solve in association with The Anti-Slavery Collective, the HPE Foundation, and:
  • A selection of in-kind resources designed to assist business owners in a number of crucial areas, such as marketing, software licensing, and pro bono legal assistance.
  • Online orientation session.
  • Virtual monthly gatherings of cohorts for the duration of the support program.
  • Staff members from Solve have virtual check-in sessions with every winner.
  • Expert guidance on executive leadership for successful individuals.
  • Expert-hosted virtual capacity building workshops with potential themes include Theory of Change, Impact Metrics, Participatory Design, and others.
  • Links to knowledge from international networks

MIT Solve Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery Challenge Requirments

• Submissions from individuals, groups, and/or organizations are welcome.
• Applications from survivors or anyone who have firsthand knowledge of or closeness to human trafficking or modern slavery are highly encouraged and welcomed.
• Solutions need to be at least at the prototype stage and can take the form of nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid businesses.
• As to the terms of service of MIT Solve, individuals who typically reside in Iran, Cuba, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic, or Luhansk People’s Republic parts of Ukraine are not eligible to apply to MIT Solve. If US law prohibits MIT Solve from accepting applications, those from Venezuela, Belarus, China (including Hong Kong), Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China will have their applications reviewed legally and may be deleted from the website.

What Types of Solutions are Eligible?

• A prototype is the first iteration of a solution that is functional and may be undergoing user testing or gathering feedback (i.e. conducting a pilot). A solution that has raised little or no venture cash, if it is for-profit. We would continue to refer to the solution as a prototype up until it moves from testing to constant availability. (Frequently 0 beneficiaries or users)
• Pilot: The solution is currently undergoing design or business model iterations, but it has been implemented in at least one community. If a company is for-profit, it is usually trying to get off the ground and has probably finished soliciting money from investors. (Frequently above ten users or direct recipients)
• Growth: A well-established solution with a standardized design and methodology that is accessible in one or more communities and prepared for expansion into other communities or nations. Usually has finished at least one official funding round, if it is for profit (Seed stage or later). possesses a stable base of donors and/or income sources if it is a nonprofit.
• Scale: A standard solution that is ready to grow considerably by increasing efficiency and is implemented in several towns or nations. Has probably raised at least a Series A investment round if it is a for-profit company.

Selection Criteria:

The following criteria will be used by judges to provide scores to the screened solutions. Every criterion will be equally important:

• Alignment: The challenge and one or more of its dimensions are addressed by the solution through the application of technology.
• Impact Potential: The intended population may be impacted by the planned solution deployment.
• Feasibility: The team’s plan for putting the solution into practice is doable in the circumstances at hand and is realistic and practical.
• Innovative Approach: A new business model, a new method of addressing the challenge, a new use of technology, or a new technology itself are all part of the answer.
• Inclusive Human-Centered Design: When designing, implementing, and running the internal operations of the solution, inclusive and equitable outcomes are taken into account.
• Scalability: The solution can be expanded to improve the lives of more people and has a plan for financial viability.
• Potential Partnership: The applicant outlines in detail how the solution would profit from the extensive resources that The Anti-Slavery Collective, the HPE Foundation, and Solve are positioned to offer.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Application Deadline

01 July, 2024

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