Wise, the global paytech company, has opened applications for the 4th edition of 20 Under 20, with the aim of finding 20 of the most talented entrepreneurs across Europe and Australia and help them boost and develop their businesses.
Young founders aged 16 – 19 are given the opportunity to pitch their business idea for the chance to win world-class mentoring, £25,000 total grand prize money for one or more overall winners and £5,000
self-development budget prize for an outstanding EdTech, GreenTech / Sustainability Company and Social Enterprise.
The winners will be selected by some of the world’s best entrepreneurs, including Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, Member of European Parliament – Ondřej Kovařík and Director of Station F, Roxanne Varza, with more to be announced.
Judges in previous years have included: Deliveroo CEO and co-founder Will Shu; Secret Escapes co-founder and COO Tom Valentine; Brolly CEO and founder Phoebe Hugh; and renowned investor and entrepreneur Robin Klein.
The UK is a world leader in the number of unicorns it has produced. Wise’s 20 Under 20 competition aims to find and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurial talent, helping with financing, mentoring as well as free international transfers up to £1million.
To enter the 20 Under 20 competition, entrepreneurs from Europe and Australia between the ages of 16 and 19 need to complete a short questionnaire and record a 45-second video by Monday, 14 June 2021 for the chance to be a finalist.
Wise co-founder and chairman of 20 Under 20, Taavet Hinrikus:
“The UK is a hub for start-up unicorns. Wise is on the hunt to find the next up-and-coming businesses to join the ranks. A platform such as 20 Under 20 is an excellent way to gather funding, mentoring experience and exposure for small businesses with big futures ahead of them.
“Young people want to contribute more and more to the future of society as a whole by creating companies. Climate and education issues are being actively addressed and ways are being found to alleviate social bottlenecks. It is not easy to start your own business when you are under 20, and we are delighted to help these talented young people to build a better tomorrow for all of us.”
