UNLEASH

Global Innovation Lab India FAQ

How can I stay informed about this opportunity?
To receive the latest information about the Global Innovation Lab, you can sign up . Here we will provide any updates you need such as notice of application opening and closing dates. You can also follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter) and our website, where we post new updates about the Lab.
What is the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab?
The UNLEASH Lab is an opportunity for 1000 young people (18-35 years old) to come together in Mysore, Karnataka, India in December 2022 for an eight-day innovation program. It will provide them with an opportunity to find solutions to various UNSDGs by working in teams and getting advisory support from various experts. The winning solutions will be provided support to fund and implement their ideas post the lab and all participants will be invited to join global UNLEAS community where they can access various resources to scale their solutions.
Impact focus of the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab in 2022

The Global Innovation lab focuses gathering young people passionate about innovative solutions for sustainability from across the world.

Specifically, the focus for the Global Innovation Program will be,

  1. Non-communicable diseases
  2. Mental Health
  3. Education
  4. Energy
  5. Climate
  6. Biodiversity
  7. Source to Sea
  8. Plus, incubation lab

You can read more about the themes on our website.

 

 

Why should I apply?

Previous participants to UNLEASH Innovation Labs tell us that participating for many is a life-changing event and that the experience, skills, and network they get at the Lab shape their life and career for many years to come after the event. Talents have the opportunity for an 8-day excursion in India that is fully financially covered by UNLEASH, while also having the opportunity to meet 1000 young people over a mutually shared passion for the SDG goals.

 

Practicalities

When is the Lab taking place?

The Global Innovation Lab will take place in Mysore, Karnataka India from December 3rd  – December 11th, 2022.

What are the COVID-19 precautions considered at this stage?

We are constantly monitoring the current pandemic’s evolution and will only host the Lab if it is safe to do so. Requirements and considerations will follow the recommendations from local and international authorities at every stage of the process. We are also encouraging self-isolation prior to travel and frequent testing on site.

[COVID VACCINATIONS - Are they a requirement?]
As a general principle, participants to the Global Innovation Lab will be required to present a valid COVID-19 certificate in compliance with the administrative requirements in India at the given time of travel as well as any requirements at potential layover destinations. For updated guidelines for travelling to India, please visit.
Should you have any questions or concerns related to the COVID-19 situation including vaccinations, please contact india@unleash.org
Where will it take place?
The Global Innovation Lab will take place in Mysore, located in the province of Karnataka India. The programming will specifically take place at the campus of Infosys, a core partner of UNLEASH in India. This includes the full program, with the opening, and closing ceremonies. Participants will receive accommodation and meals free of charge.
Excursions to the surrounding area will also be part of the innovation program.  

Applications

Who is eligible to participate in the Global Innovation Lab?

The Global Innovation Lab is for young people between the ages of 18 and 35 who are passionate about making a positive social impact.

Applicants must have a valid passport. Applicants from India do not require a passport but will need a nationally recognized ID to apply. All applicants will be required to have a WHO approved double vaccination

English proficiency is required to communicate with team members

What kind of talent characteristics is UNLEASH looking for?

Talents are selected based on five criteria.

  1. Demonstrated passion and commitment to solving the world’s pressing challenges.
  2. Possession of a creative and innovative mindset.
  3. Willingness to engage in co-creation with peers and experts.
  4. Resilience and ability to overcome failure.
  5. Basic proficiency in English with the ability to understand instructions.
What kind of talents is UNLEASH not looking for?

The UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab is not an accelerator for existing ideas, but rather a place for new ideas and collaboration. UNLEASH seeks to identify applicants that are willing to work with others to generate new solutions, based on clear problems.

 

As such, applicants will not qualify for UNLEASH if they:

  • Are not willing to work on completely new ideas or challenge their existing idea significantly through collaboration with other participants.
  • Launched their current idea in an entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial capacity that they are working on full-time, and intend to only use UNLEASH to further this idea.
  • Have generated revenue (e.g. from customers, users) or raised funding (e.g. from grants, investors) for their current / newest idea, and intend to use UNLEASH to work on this idea.
  • Have multiple full-time paid employees working on their current / newest idea.

 

Please note that we do also have an incubation program, UNLEASH Plus, which does look for teams with existing solutions, and provides key support to launch solutions during its 6-month program. If you’re looking for support to launch your solution, please find more information here.

Can teams apply?
No, it is only possible to apply as an individual. At the Global Innovation Lab, you will be assigned to a specific team dependent on your interests and profile. The purpose of the Global Innovation Lab is not to further your existing idea as a team but to come in and meet new people and learn the innovation methodologies.
Note that teams can apply to our incubation program, UNLEASH Plus.  
Will you inform non-successful applications?

Yes, we will inform all non-successful applicants once we have selected the participants for the Innovation Lab.

When will you announce selected applications?

The successful candidates will be informed during the month of September.

Can I apply in both to the Regional Innovation Lab and the Global Innovation Lab?

No – you cannot apply to both the Regional Innovation Lab in Greenland and the Global Innovation Lab in India.

If you are eligible to participate in both the Regional Innovation Lab in Greenland and the Global Innovation Lab in India, you will only be able to apply for one of the Innovation Labs.

We suggest you read the background information for Greenland and India, including on the chosen SDG themes for each Lab, for you to make an informed decision. More information about the Regional Innovation Lab is here.

In what language will the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab in India be held?

The Global Innovation Lab will be held in English.

Intellectual Property Rights

Who owns the Intellectual Property (IP) rights to the ideas/solutions after UNLEASH?

To the extent that participants’ participation in UNLEASH gives rise to intellectual property, hereunder copyrights, patent rights, and design rights, participants work within their teams to determine future ownership.

However, UNLEASH does retain the rights to use solutions developed during UNLEASH for publicity purposes only.

Travel

Do I have to pay for my own transport expenses to India?

Talents will be expected to book their own travel arrangements. UNLEASH will cover all reasonable and approved flight and transportation costs for participants travelling to Mysore, India for the Innovation Lab. UNLEASH will reimburse travel costs after participants have attended the event. Travel costs are covered based on a flat rate that will be shared when participants are accepted.

 

Will UNLEASH cover my travel expenses to the airport?

UNLEASH will not cover the costs of talents traveling from their home to or from the airport from which they are flying. There are certain exceptions if lack of compensation results in an inability to participate. In this case, you can apply for a scholarship to cover these costs.

Can I arrive before or extend my stay beyond the program?

UNLEASH is booking flights with arrival in India on December 2nd or 3rd  and departure from India on December 11th or 12th. You cannot reschedule these flights if you are arriving from outside of India.

Do I need a visa to enter Mysore, India?

Depending on the country you are travelling from you may be required to apply and receive a visa. We recommend researching travel restrictions based on your citizenship(s).

UNLEASH and the government in India will be providing assistance and further information to support you through the process of applying for a visa. You can check your eligibility for an e-visa here.

Will UNLEASH cover my visa expenses?

UNLEASH will cover cost of visa applications. However, UNLEASH will not cover costs of traveling to visa centers. Only participants that apply for scholarship will be reimburse for any uncured costs of traveling to the visa center.

Will UNLEASH cover transportation during the event?

UNLEASH will provide participants with transportation throughout the event, including transportation from the airport in Bangalore to Mysore.   

Can I arrive later and/or leave earlier than the scheduled program?

No. You must be present during the entire event.

Money

Who will cover the costs?
UNLEASH will cover the costs of flight travel, transport in India, accommodation, food, curriculum, facilitation, and program activities for the entire event.
As a general rule, all talents must pay a participation fee of USD 150 to confirm their spot at UNLEASH. This fee mitigates no-shows and ensures that we do not have empty seats where other talents could have had the opportunity to participate.
How do I pay the fee?

The participation fee will be deducted from the total reimbursement that UNLEASH will send to talents after the lab. 

 

What is the process for travel costs and reimbursements?

After the lab, all participants will get reimbursed for the travel and visa application costs they paid. The participation fee will then be deducted from the total talents will be reimbursed.

 

Example: If Maria pays 350 USD for her flight ticket and 60 USD for her VISA, then UNLEASH will reimburse her 410 USD while deducting the 150 USD Registration fee. Maria will receive 260 USD from UNLEASH after the innovation lab.

 

Talents will receive their reimbursement based on full attendance of the Innovation lab, which includes all sessions and the opening and closing ceremonies. Those who fail to attend these sessions will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Is there a scholarship available if I cannot afford the registration fee and other expenses?

Talents have the option of applying for a scholarship, if you receive a scholarship, you do not have to pay the participation fee . The scholarship is meant for individuals who otherwise could not attend the lab if they did not have the scholarship. If you apply for the scholarship but are not approved, you are not able to attend the Innovation Lab as we understand that without the scholarship you would not be able to attend.

 

In the scholarship application you will be asked to fill in information surrounding your economic situation including if you are supporting family members, employed, unemployed etc. Scholarship applications can be accessed following acceptance into the UNLEASH program.

 

You can apply for a scholarship here.

Accomodation

Where will I be staying?

Questions regarding the practicalities of accommodation will be addressed closer to the event.

Can I bring family, children, or friends to UNLEASH?

No, unfortunately, we do not allow individuals other than accepted participants to attend UNLEASH.

Food

I have certain dietary restrictions; will these be taken into consideration?

Yes. Prior to your attendance, you will be asked to submit information on any special needs.

Safety

Can I call you if I have an urgent safety problem?

Yes, you can. During the event there will be an emergency number for you to call if you experience any safety and security problems.

Equipment 

Can and should I bring my computer?

 Yes, we encourage you to bring your laptop. However, UNLEASH is not liable for laptops being damaged or lost during the event.

I do not have a laptop, is that a problem?

No, that is not a problem. As an UNLEASH participant, you are welcome with or without a laptop, but if you have a laptop, you are encouraged to bring it.

Will I receive a sim card during my stay in India?

No, UNLEASH will not provide sim cards to talents. Talents can purchase a sim card in the airport in India if you wish.

Will I have access to Wi-Fi during my stay?

Participants will have access to Wi-Fi during their stay in India at the accommodation space and during the innovation program.

Other

Who do I contact if I still have questions regarding the Global Innovation Lab in India?

Please write to india@unleash.org We will be happy to guide you.