Deadline: September 7, 2025
Are you passionate about bridging the digital divide in your country? Is your big idea ready to make real impact? Join one of the largest digital innovation competitions for a more connected Asia! Applications are open for the Hack the Future 2025: Young Leaders for Asia Challenge.
In celebration of International Youth Day, Siklab proudly launches its Hack the Future: Young Leaders for Asia 2025 Challenge competition. With the theme “Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Youth for Connected Action and Inclusive Change”, the program aims to cultivate a growing ecosystem of young champions advocating for a more inclusive, more connected future for all.
Innovators from across Asia are invited to participate in this game-changing opportunity to launch new ventures aimed at addressing challenges revolving around the digital divide in their countries.
Benefits
- Be one of 4 winning teams to receive USD $10,000 seed funding
- Undergo a 4-part virtual mentorship series
- Fully funded trip to attend the final pitch at the International Civil Society Week Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 1-5, 2025
- Connect with fellow youth leaders across Asia
Eligibility
- Open to youth-led teams of 2–5 members;
- Members aged 18–35 years old;
- Citizens based in or from ODA recipient countries in Asia: China, Mongolia, Thailand, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia;
- With a project idea aligned to the theme: Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Youth for Connected Action and Inclusive Change.
Judging & Selection
From all applications, six (6) teams will be selected to undergo a structured learning journey through four (4) virtual masterclasses on digital inclusion, connected action, and social impact. Each team will send two (2) representatives to the International Civil Society Week (ICSW) 2025 in Bangkok, where they will pitch their projects to a panel of judges. Four (4) of the six teams will then be awarded USD 10,000 seed grants to prototype and implement their solutions. Top 4 teams will be selected based on innovation, relevance, feasibility, impact potential, and team composition.
Application
- Complete Application Form
- Valid Passport of Team Leader and Member #2
- Curriculum Vitae (2-3 pages) of each team member
- 150-word team introduction
- 300-word project concept note and information
- 4-minute pre-recorded pitch video
For more information, visit Hack the Future.
