2026
✨ Why Join the Challenge?
Up to $2,500 in seed funding to fuel your innovation and kickstart your vision
Dedicated mentorship + 1:1 coaching from experts who believe in youth-led change
A dynamic peer cohort of fellow innovators to collaborate, support, and grow with
Hands-on guidance to shape, test, and launch your idea into real-world impact
Access to an international network of alumni, advocates, and industry professionals to amplify your journey beyond the program
What We’re Looking For 👀
We’ve heard your call, and we want to help your solutions thrive. The LookUp Innovation Challenge is looking for youth-led innovations and advocacy that…
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Create a healthy and safe digital world with an emphasis on mental health.
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Share the underrepresented narratives that cultivate a healthy, inclusive, and/or ethical digital world. The Social Dilemma Impact Team at Exposure Labs sponsors our storytellers.
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Advocate through programs or strategies that engage with legislative policy or otherwise raise the awareness of ways to mitigate the harmful impact of social media and the digital world or maximize its benefits.
Key Dates
🔊 Gen Z, you’ve said that enough is enough! We call our changemakers—
✨ LookUp Innovators ✨
Gen Z has been connected to technology for their entire lives and knows best how to use it for good while recognizing the harms that need to be addressed. Let us help you lead and create tangible impact.
Sept 5: Applications Open!
Nov 18: Applications Due by 11:59 pm PT
Dec 8 - 12: Interviews
Dec 19: Grant Recipients Notified
Jan 7: Kick Off Week
May 2026: Innovator Cohort Wrap-Up
June 2026: Innovator Showcase
FAQ’s 🔍
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The LookUp Innovation Challenge (LUIC) is open for everyone aged 18-25 regardless of their location, background or experience. Individuals or teams may apply.
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Yes, the majority of programming will be conducted live, therefore, it is strongly recommended that team captains or at least one co-captain is based within a reasonable distance of the San Francisco, CA time zone. (We do accommodate teams who are in other time zones like the East Coast)
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Yes. While the total number of awards given will depend on the funding needs of the Finalists, we expect to award 8-10 teams with seed grants and cohort membership. The maximum seed grant award is $2,500.
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Yes. We recognize that applicants may have solutions for different problem areas. However, teams will only be awarded one grant.
Applicants who have already won a grant may not apply for a second grant for the same solution. Those who previously applied and did not win are welcome to submit new or improved concepts.
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Based on the judges' scoring matrix, top applicants will be invited and required to give a 20-minute presentation via Zoom to a panel of LookUp judges.
Judges use the following criteria when reading written applications to determine who will move on to the interview round:
💼 Responsiveness How well your idea addressed the challenge.
🚀 Impact The project is a positive force for good to help reimagine and redesign a digital world in which young people can thrive!
📈 Execution Plan You have demonstrated that you have taken the time to think through how your idea can be executed and the resources you will need to succeed.
🤝Commitment to the Mission We want to know WHY you are interested in solving this global challenge.
💡 Innovation The project represents a next-gen approach that hasn’t been seen before, to solve a real problem.
Still have questions? Email info@lookup.live
