Rules

Lisboa Innovation for All is a social impact challenge for innovative and impactful solutions to address the main social challenges faced by cities and which can have practical application in Lisbon. This Challenge is supported by the European Innovation Council and it is a commitment from the City Council of Lisbon that resulted from the award of Lisbon, as the European Capital of Innovation.

Goal

The Social Innovation Award aims to promote and empower innovative solutions to address the main social challenges faced by residents in the city of Lisbon. The award will focus on the following challenge areas:

1. Quality of Education
2. Access to Healthcare
3. Integration of Migrants

A jury will select three finalists from each of the three categories, and ultimately three awards will be made, one from each category. Applicants should select at least one category to apply to.

Challenge Areas

Project ideas could include but are not limited to:

1. Quality of Education

  • Elementary School and High School:

    • Improve learning capacity in mathematics and life sciences.

    • Boost technological skills and promote creative and critical thinking.

    • Test alternative learning methods and deliver new teaching tools.

    • Improve students’ graduation rates and ability to access university education.

    • Strengthen the city’s ability to attract teachers.

  • University Education:

    • Lower the cost of living for college students.

    • Make it easier to find a room or an apartment in the city.

    • Improve access to financial support.

2. Access to Healthcare

  • Leverage preventive health, especially using wearables and medical devices.

  • Promote better management of chronic diseases, focusing on adherence to medication and patient monitoring.

  • Boost the city’s ability to attract healthcare professionals.

  • Increase access to family doctors and reduce long waiting lists.

  • Promote healthier lifestyles focusing on physical and mental wellbeing.

  • Improve access to specialized care, such as dental, eye, mental health, and maternal and childcare services.


3. Integration of Migrants

  • Improve interoperability and information exchange among public institutions, NGOs, and the private sector.

  • Simplify bureaucratic procedures for immigrants.

  • Develop housing solutions.

  • Enhance access to data and tools to monitor the situation on the ground.

  • Support job search for immigrants.

  • Combat racism and discrimination.

Award Structure

Phase 1: Applications

  • Selection of 3 finalists per category (total of 9 finalists) for a proof-of-concept phase.

  • Proof of concept within 6 months.

  • No direct financial support is provided in this phase but in-kind support and resources will be given.

Phase 2: Proof of Concept

  • After the proof-of-concept, one winner per category (total of 3 winners) is selected for implementation.

  • Award: €120,000 per category.

  • Implementation within 6 months.

Phase 1: Applications

Calendar:

  • Call for Applications: June to September 15, 2024

  • Evaluation & Selection: September 16 to September 30, 2024

  • Winners’ Announcement: October 21, 2024

Application Criteria:

  • Any team, individual, or organization is eligible to apply.

  • Applications with proposed tech solutions in various stages are encouraged to apply.

  • The proposed tech solutions must be able to be fully developed and implemented within one year if selected as a finalist. 

  • Open to proposed solution that currently is in operation but would be refined and adapted to the context in Lisbon. 

  • Open to proposals with a MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that would be further developed if selected also are welcome to apply.

  • Open to new solutions or improvements to existing ones are eligible

  • There are no restrictions for headquarters, nationalities, nor industries

  • Applicants do not need to have a registered company

  • Applications should be submitted in English or if needed in Portuguese

  • Limit one entry per applicant group

  • Applications must be received by September 15, 2024

Requirements for Application:

  • Proposals must address one or more of the city challenges.

  • Proposed technology must meet current local regulations, laws, and/or rules.

  • Include relevant experience, expertise, partnerships, and/or performance track record.

Jury and Selection Process

Phase 1A: Initial Filtering

Applications or submissions that do not follow the challenge criteria and requirements will be eliminated. An email will be sent to notify the applicants that they will not proceed to the next phase of the selection process.

Phase 1B: Second Filtering

The team will shortlist the best projects according to:

  • Strength of application: clearly addresses problems within one of three challenge areas with a technological solution and details how solution would better challenge area

  • Strength of application team: relevant expertise, experience , and/or partner support to develop the technology and scale it

  • Feasibility of technology: implementation within 1 year or the ability for it to be integrated within existing city technology/systems

An email will be sent to notify the applicants that they will not proceed to the next phase of the selection process.

Phase 1C: Jury Evaluation

  • Decision by 6 jury votes

Evaluation criteria for the 6 jury votes:

  • Addressing the Challenge and Impact (40%):

    • Relevance to Focus Areas: Does the solution meaningfully address a need within Education, Healthcare, or Immigration? How will it achieve this?

    • Impact Potential: Will the technology reach the desired impact and scale? How significantly can it benefit the city's citizens?

    Socio-Economic Benefits and Innovation (25%):

    • Social Innovation: How innovative is the technology? What is its social element? Will it involve disadvantaged groups or community members? Will it target lower socioeconomic neighborhoods?

    • Economic Impact: Will the solution create jobs or provide other economic benefits to the city?

     Feasibility and Sustainability (35%):

    • Technology and Business Model: Are the technology and business model viable for market entry? Will it be free or accessible for users? Can it be self-sustaining beyond the award money? Is the idea scalable with global market potential? Does the applicant team have the necessary expertise and a track record of success?

    • Widespread Adoption: How likely is the technology to be widely adopted and used?

Application’ Requirements

Attendance at the winners announcement event in October 21st of 2024 is recommended for finalists who have advanced to the final filter phase.

Phase 2 Proof of Concept

Calendar:

  • Develop Work Plan: October, 2024

  • Piloting Phase: November to February, 2025

  • Project Showcase: March7, 2025

  • Jury Selection: April, 2025

  • Winners Announcement: May, 2025

Support Provided to Finalists:

  • Bi-weekly mentorship check-in calls.

  • Access to relevant City Departments.

  • Access to the Unicorn Factory’s extended network.

  • Legal and regulatory guidance.

  • Showcase opportunities on official website and social media channels.

  • Tailored project support, mentoring, and guidance.

  • Workshops and training seminars from leading experts.

  • Office space and access to FabLab network and technology.

  • Participation in Unicorn Factory Lisboa events.

Finalists’ Project Plan:

  • Month 1: Understand and define the problem, select pilot area, and define success factors.

  • Month 2: Refine the solution and design a roadmap.

  • Month 3-4: Implement the pilot.

  • Month 5-6: Test and adjust the solution.

Jury and Selection Process

  • Decision by 6 jury votes + 1 citizen vote


Evaluation Criteria for the 6 jury votes:

  • Addressing the Challenge (30%):

    • Does the solution meaningfully address a need within one or more of the focus areas: Education, Healthcare, or Immigration? How effectively does it address these needs?

    Social Innovation (30%):

    • How innovative is the technology? What are the social components of the solution? Does it include disadvantaged groups or community members? Does it target lower socioeconomic neighborhoods?

    Feasibility and Sustainability (40%):

    • Does the technology work based on the project pilot period? Is it sustainable in the long term? Are the technology and business model viable for market entry? Will it be free or accessible for people to use? Can it be self-sustaining beyond the award money? Is the idea scalable with potential for a global market? Is there evidence of success or potential to succeed in global markets?

Finalists’ Requirements

  • Attend required in-person activities:

    • October kick-off event

    • November workshop

    • February project showcase

    • March demo day & jury session

  • Participate in workshops and seminars

  • Attend bi-weekly mentorship calls

  • Develop and refine project work plan

  • Present final project/solution during the showcase

  • Engage with the jury during the evaluation period

One winner from each challenge category will be selected. There will be a press event to announce selection of winners, which will be required for the winning teams to attend in person. 

The winner per category will be awarded 120,000€, paid in two phases.

For any questions or support during the application process, you can reach out to innovationforall@unicornfactorylisboa.com