Global Challenge Lab

Global Challenge Lab

Offers a virtual innovation sprint supporting teams building practical solutions through structured mentoring and milestone-driven challenges.

The Global Challenge Lab 2026 is a 14-day virtual innovation sprint run by Imperial College London's Imperial Enterprise Lab, taking place July 14-30, 2026. Applications opened May 15, 2026 and close June 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM. The programme kicks off July 10, 2026 with a virtual orientation, followed by the sprint phase during which teams collaborate to develop entrepreneurial solutions across four challenge tracks: Climate and Sustainability, Health and Technology, Space and Security and Connectivity, and Smart Cities and Urban Futures. Project submissions are due July 26, 2026, with a virtual Demo Day on July 30, 2026.

Teams of 3 to 6 participants must include members from at least two different faculties, and global diversity across team composition is strongly encouraged. Eligible participants are current Imperial College London students (undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD) and Imperial postgraduate offer holders from any university. The time commitment is approximately 2 to 3 hours per day during the sprint, delivered through live masterclasses and pre-recorded online content. A £3,000 prize fund is distributed among winning teams, and all participants receive an official Imperial College London Certificate of Completion.

The programme is individual-entry — participants apply as individuals and form teams during the programme rather than applying as pre-formed companies. Because the prize pool is £3,000 shared among winners across all tracks, the Global Challenge Lab is primarily valuable as an intensive skill-building and networking experience rather than as a funding mechanism. Competitive teams should plan to demonstrate cross-disciplinary collaboration, clear problem framing within one of the four tracks, and a viable prototype or solution concept by the July 26 submission deadline.