United Nations SDG
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenge
Sep 28-29, 2025
Learn the principles of Human-centered Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking and Global Problem Solving
A 2 Day workshop on Design Thinking, Creativity and Sustainability
Program Date: Sep 28 and Sep 29, 2025 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Registration Deadline: Sep 25, 2025 by 11:59pm, or the maximum capacity is reached
Check out this cool video on Design Thinking
Role of Young People in making a Global impact
Flaunt your skills with a Digital Certificate on LinkedIn
Upon completing our program, Ycenter will provide participants with a verified certificate that can be showcased as a LinkedIn badge, highlighting your achievement and new skills. This badge not only enhances your professional profile but also signals to potential employers that you've gained valuable, hands-on experience in innovation, sustainability, design thinking and entrepreneurship.
Program Structure
The entire workshop is delivered using Experiential Learning Pedagogy, which means as participants you will be engaging in hands-on activities rather than learning only theories. Get a chance to specifically work on your respective project ideas (if any) or pick a problem statement under the context of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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9 - 9.30 am Breakfast and Registration
9.30 - 10 am Introductions to the Human centered design concept and setting the culture
10 - noon Problem identification using human centered design approach
12- 1 pm Lunch
1 - 2 pm Primary market research using Empathy
2 - 3 pm Secondary market research
3 - 4 pm Defining the Entrepreneurial Opportunity in response to your chosen “World Problem”
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9 - 9.30 am Breakfast and Recap from Day 1
9.30 - 10 am Creativity and Innovation
10 - noon Analogous Thinking Design Sprints
12- 1 pm Lunch
1 - 2 pm Idea Selection
2 - 3.30 pm Preparing Final Presentation and Learn the Art of Pitching your idea
3.30 - 4.30 pm Final Pitches
4.30 - 5.30 pm Awards, Feedback and Post Program Keeping in touch planning
Pictures and Feedback from our Winter of 2025 workshop
I enjoyed the workshop and was passionate about the problem we solved - James Sellers, St Edward High School
I loved making new connections and getting outside of my comfort zone. - Pressley Grzybowski, GlenOak High School
I loved the experience and coming together with like minds to brainstorm ideas to heal the worlds in ways some may find unconventional, but in these unique viewpoints we find new hope - Mya-jane Warren, Arizona State University Prep
But, wait - What are the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals i.e. UN SDGS?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Who Is This For
Students with existing early stage ideas or wanting to learn about Entrepreneurship and design thinking for new ideas.
Open to 15 selected Northeast Ohio High School Students nominated by their teacher and 15 Ashland University College students, nominated by a professor
All learning and working materials will be provide
Selected Participants must be available to attend the event in person on both days
Selected participants will receive a scholarship, provided by The Veale Foundation, to cover their costs to participate in the program
Top skills you acquire
Complex Problem Understanding and Breakdown
Cause and Effect Analysis
Idea to Prototyping
Stakeholder Mapping and Market Research
Human Centered Design
Creative Problem Solving
Building A Business Model
Meet the Facilitation Partners
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Dhairya Pujara
Founder, CEO at Ycenter
He has been a global public speaker with invitations from the United Nations, World Bank, World Economic Forum, Social Enterprise World Forum, SXSW, TEDx and top universities and organizations in 15+ countries across 4 continents. His work has been featured in magazines like Entrepreneur, INC, nominated for Forbes 30 under 30 and several other media publications like BBC radio, Huffington post, Philadelphia Business journal to name a few. He has received a visa reserved for individuals of extraordinary abilities from the US immigration services.
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Tom Sudow
Director, Burton D. Morgan Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
He is frequently called upon, internationally, to present at leading conferences and he has organized and led seminars on biomedical innovation internationally. Tom served as Director Business Development for Cleveland Clinic Innovations, an Advisor to eHealth Venture a fund dedicated to digital health; as a member of the Akron BioInnovation Fund due diligence committee, and: a Founder of the Beachwood Business Development Center.
Partners for the Program
Burton D Morgan Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Develop the mindset, skills and knowledge to turn your passion into a profitable business that adds value to your community
Grow your leadership skills by engaging in a variety of on- and off-campus entrepreneurial activities
Receive mentoring from faculty and alumni
Assist small business owners in finding ways to sustain and grow their operations
Ashland University Dauch College of Business and Economics
In the Dauch College of Business and Economics, students gain both theory and practical skills in small classroom settings where they get one-on-one attention from professors. Ashland University’s College of Business and Economics is accredited by both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), providing strong evidence of the quality of our programs and our commitment to a student-centered teaching and learning approach.
The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum (VYEF)
The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum (VYEF) was established in 2012 to take high school students beyond the classroom and into the real world of entrepreneurship. Through a collaborative network of educators, business leaders and collegiate-level resources, VYEF offers programs and experiences that allow students to think creatively and analytically, recognize business opportunities, take initiative, solve problems, persist through failure, communicate persuasively, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.