BeChangeMaker 2024 reveals top 15 teams through to next round

It was a tense week for the 30 teams taking part in BeChangeMaker 2024. Each of them was invited to deliver their first pitch to a panel of three judges. The pitches were held online over two days on 16 and 17 July and teams were given three minutes to present their idea and two minutes to take questions.

Business pitches included an educational platform for women empowerment from Argentina, a sustainable solution for the paper industry from India, and optimizing opportunities for volunteering from Poland. Teams incorporated research data on markets and customers as well as projected growth targets in their presentations to convince the panel why their innovation deserved to receive further support.

Judges scored the teams based on five criteria:

1. Understanding of social challenge,
2. Relevance and innovation,
3. Financial feasibility,
4. Scalability and impact,
5. Pitching and presentation.

The results were included in a larger calculation measuring the team’s engagement in the programme, which led to the final score.

All participants made compelling cases, but only 15 out of 30 could proceed to the second round. The business ideas of the top 15 teams cover a broad range of sectors, from sustainable packaging to telemedicine systems that bridge healthcare gaps.

The top 15 BeChangeMaker 2024 teams are:

1. DotConnectors, Zimbabwe — Telemedicine platform with a state-of-the-art EHR system to bridge the healthcare gap.
2. RiceUp, Vietnam — Rice-based product and packaging initiative.
3. Holly, United Kingdom — Solution that helps young people believe in themselves.
4. YouthDee, Thailand — Insulation made from agricultural waste.
5. Mandisa Project, South Africa — Platform which aims to reduce skills mismatch.
6. Talpact, Poland — Volunteering opportunities solution.
7. Doorcas Africa, Nigeria — Livestock mortality reduction system.
8. Sekofia, Nigeria — Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) health insurance management platform.
9. Secury, Yemen — Raising awareness to secure digital users and their data online.
10. G-OLD, Malaysia — Smart monitoring system for elderly.
11. Paltic, Lebanon — Transforming plastic waste into sustainable panels.
12. Blue Ocean, Mexico — Conservation and sustainable use of oceans through advanced monitoring and scientific research.
13. Propellers, Brazil — Talent development platform for youth.
14. Planet Plus Kenya, Kenya — Biodegradable bags for recollection and composting.
15. CALIFICADAS, Argentina — Personal development platform for women.

The next round is already underway with the successful teams preparing for a second online pitch on 31 July. Helping them prepare are business specialists from HP who will work with the teams to fine-tune their business idea and rehearse their presentation skills.

Launched in 2017, BeChangeMaker, hosted jointly by WorldSkills and the HP Foundation, is in its eighth edition. The programme has also been strengthened through its partnership with UNESCO-UENVOC this year. It takes place from June to September each year and welcomes young social entrepreneurs onto a programme of coaching, tools, and technology for start-up acceleration on HP LIFE.

Only five teams will progress to the last stage. These finalists will receive six weeks of intensive coaching and mentorship before a live pitch to an audience of high-profile delegates at WorldSkills Conference 2024, taking place from 11 to 12 September during the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.

Find out more about BeChangeMaker and learn more about this year’s and past participants .