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NATIONAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE:

Black startups and entrepreneurs encouraged to pitch their businesses ideas and win prizes

INNOVATION: The business scheme is open to a range of sectors and technologies, including AI and Machine Learning. BUSINESSES RUN by black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) start-ups and entrepreneurs are being offered the chance to secure prize money and pitch their business ideas to global brands and investors.

The fifth edition of the Innovation Challenge aims to promote fairness and diversity for a level playing field in the corporate world.

In this year’s scheme, “Better Ideas for a Better World”, black and minority ethnic start-ups and entrepreneurs will compete for prizes worth over £150,000. The best innovators across a wide range of sectors and technologies, including AI (artificial intelligence), machine learning, sustainable cities and consumer health will be highlighted through the competition.

Describing his goal for the theme of this year’s Innovation Challenge, MSDUK founder Mayank

Shah, said: “We recognise that the last 18 months have been very challenging for businesses, and the innovation challenge is a positive step on the ladder to back to business. We are setting the bar for this year’s entrants very high because we believe that only through greater supplier diversity can our global partners find innovative solutions to the problems of tomorrow.”

Now in its fifth year, the Innovation Challenge is aligned to the UN’s sustainable development goals and was set up by MSDUK as part of its year-round programme of initiatives designed to fight the underrepresentation of black and minority ethnic businesses in the global supply chain.

Through this challenge, MSDUK hopes to break down barriers to entry for young start-ups and entrepreneurs from all sectors by providing direct access to a range of highly influential corporate sponsors.

The cash prizes act as investment for the winning idea, business scholarships, and mentoring, which will give the finalists the support they require to develop their big ideas into successful businesses.

Mr Shah added: “Like every other business entrepreneur in the 21st Century, the executive management boards that succeed will be those that bring about social change through innovative ideas and technologies. After last year’s truly inspiring array of ideas, I am excited to see what the current crop of EMB social entrepreneurs can bring to the table.” n

For more information about the challenge and how to apply visit MSDUK.org The deadline for entries is June 31 2021. The finalists chosen by the judges will take part in a live pitching final, to be held in London on the September 2, 2021.

Previously published on the Voice website

NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES

The years 2020 and 2021 have been challenging for everyone, history will note this period as the years when Britain and the entire world went into lockdown as a result of the Covid -19 pandemic and sadly, many people lost family and friends. The team at The Voice would like to acknowledge and congratulate our black owned businesses that found innovative ways, including the use of online platforms, to continue providing products and services to the community.

These include many restaurants, bakeries, couriers, food wholesalers, trainers and educators, event organisers, hair and beauty suppliers and carers, to name a few. Unfortunately, many businesses were unable to survive whilst others had to change their business model.

Over the years, The Voice has campaigned for the community to support Black owned businesses and three years ago we took the bold step to publish a magazine; The Voice Black Business Guide, essentially showcasing black owned businesses across the UK.

This enables us to shine a spotlight on the achievements of numerous self-sustained small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Many of these businesses are financed and operated by unsung heroes and heroines delivering excellent products and services and, let’s not forget that they all contribute greatly to the UK economy.

The global pandemic continues to restrict the movement of people and so it continues to affect the livelihood of black business owners. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to unite and support black businesses.

For three consecutive years The Voice Black Business Guide has been published and distributed in October to help black businesses in the run up to Christmas shopping, by encouraging consumers to BUY BLACK.

In 2020, we too had to pivot and so The Voice Black Business Guide 2020 edition was published in a digital format allowing businesses to have a link directly to their website. This was shared across all the Voice platforms - website, social media.

The main reason The Voice is so beneficially important is that it gives black businesses a platform to enable people to find them as they showcase their many products and services to a wider audience. As the guide gives black small business a voice by being the publication of choice for the sector, please read, share and also send us your feedback.

With the aim of continuing to highlight the importance of supporting black businesses and their contribution to communities across the UK, we plan to produce another issue in Black History month this year.

If you would like to advertise in the October 2021-22 edition, please contact us at:

advertising@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk

LET US REBUILD TOGETHER!