Santander X Global Challenge Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship
The Oxentia Foundation and Banco Santander are looking for projects that are changing the World supporting the 3E’s – Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship. This is due to Banco Santander’s longstanding commitment to the 3E’s, as well as inclusivity and sustainability that has been evidences by almost 30 years of work in the space. Santander has recently been acknowledged on the Fortune list of companies that are changing the world.
Santander X Global Challenge Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship is a challenge for startups and scaleups with focus on identifying innovative solutions that solve current challenges the society is facing.
The winning startups and scaleups will receive numerous prizes to keep developing their project.
This global challenge is aimed at startups and scaleups that will help to transform the economy through new innovation to support the 3E’s.
Startup and scaleups businesses are invited to apply from 11 countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, United States. Registrations will close on March 21st 2024.
A jury of experts will select six winners, who will receive €120,000 euros in prizes: €30,000 for the three winning startups (€10,000 each) and €90,000 for the three best scaleups (€30,000 each). In addition, challenge winners will become members of the Santander X 100 global entrepreneurship community, joining the most outstanding Santander X projects; they will also be able to connect with Fintech Station, Banco Santander’s Open Innovation area.
Rafael Hernández, Global Deputy Director of Santander Universities, pointed out that “this challenge further strengthens our commitment to these three key drivers of socio-economic development and the progress of people, while we help start-ups and scale-ups achieve their goals”.
Projects will undergo an evaluation process before a final competitive phase involving 10 startups and 10 scaleups. These 20 companies will present their initiatives before an international jury, with selected winners receiving their prizes at an awards ceremony.
Steve Cleverley, CEO of Oxentia Foundation, observed, “Supporting innovation within the sectors of Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship is crucial for enhancing skill development, fostering economic growth and empowers individuals to adapt to evolving challenges. This ultimately contributes to a more dynamic and resilient society. Oxentia Foundation is therefore delighted to be working in partnership with Santander X to launch the new Global Challenge Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship.”
About Banco Santander and its support for higher education
Banco Santander is firmly committed to progress and inclusive sustainable growth. It boasts a long-standing and groundbreaking 26-year commitment to education, employability, and entrepreneurship, which sets it apart from the world’s other financial institutions. The bank has allocated over 2.2 billion euros and has supported more than one million students, professionals and entrepreneurial projects through agreements with more than 1,300 universities
(www.santander.com/universities).
About the Oxentia Foundation
Oxentia Foundation was created to support Oxentia’s main goal: to tackle global inequalities through innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Oxentia organises international entrepreneurial innovation competitions and awards, and has also provided advice to entrepreneurs in order help bring to market science and technology projects that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Oxentia grew out of Oxford University’s technology transfer company, and aims to provide specialised innovation management services to public and private sector customers throughout the world. Its approach is based on the company’s solid legacy, built on over 30 years of experience supporting academic innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in more than 70 countries.
