A Better Tomorrow Starting Today
21 MAY 2025
JOIN US AT THE AWARDS
The Young Innovator Awards, launched in 2023, were created to recognize and celebrate the next generation of changemakers between the ages of 18 – 28, to kickstart their enterprise.
In 2025 we are seeking ideas from young entrepreneurs, envisioning innovative solutions in Climate & Sustainability, Education Skills & Training, Social Justice & Inclusion. In addition, we’ve launched a new category in Health & Wellbeing and the new Conduit Impact Venture Award – this is an opportunity to win £200,000 in equity investment from the Conduit EIS Impact Fund for an entrepreneur that has led the way in developing genuine solutions to the world’s biggest issues.

Interested in attending this year's awards?
Leading with Purpose: In today’s rapidly evolving world, true leadership goes beyond profit—it’s about creating lasting, positive impact. Purpose-driven leaders are redefining success, aligning business growth with social responsibility and authenticity. But what does it really take to lead with purpose?
What’s included in the price?
Did we mention the complimentary cocktails? When we say this will be a celebration we mean it. Here’s what’s included:
- An after party, including DJ set
- Canapés and drinks reception
- Cocktails and mocktails (on the house, of course)
- Tea and coffee throughout
- Networking opportunities

The winners will receive up to £10,000, as well as mentoring from industry experts and complimentary membership to The Conduit.

13:00-14:00
Registration
14:00
Welcome Remarks
NICK HAMILTON
Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer, The Conduit
Nick is Chief Development Officer at The Conduit.
He had a career in investment banking and fund management, including as the Asia Pacific CEO of Standard Bank Group and Asia CEO of Unicredit.
This subsequently led him to pursue for-profit investments that have positive social outcomes as an investor and Board member of Latitude Hotels Group, an African impact hospitality company, and as an investor in Postcard Hotels, an Indian impact hospitality business. Paving the way to co-found The Conduit with Paul.
14:05
Opening Keynote
In today’s rapidly evolving world, true leadership goes beyond profit—it’s about creating lasting, positive impact. Purpose-driven leaders are redefining success, aligning business growth with social responsibility and authenticity. But what does it really take to lead with purpose?
Join an inspiring conversation with a titan of industry who has built a thriving business while staying true to their values. We’ll explore the mindset, strategies, and character traits that set purposeful leaders apart, and uncover how businesses can drive both profit and meaningful change.
14:25
Conduit Innovator Pitches
15:40
Networking Reception and Meet the Innovators
16:40
Panel Discussion
The next generation of entrepreneurs are redefining success by seamlessly blending purpose with profit to create businesses that drive social and environmental change. While building a business is already a tough journey, the real challenge lies in fostering ecosystems that support and empower young impact-driven entrepreneurs, helping them transform their visionary ideas into scalable and sustainable enterprises. How can we create these ecosystems and pave the way for their success?
This panel will bring together pioneering young founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers to explore how purpose-driven leadership can create lasting impact. Through real-world insights and actionable strategies, we’ll discuss how to engage and support young entrepreneurs in leading with purpose while ensuring long-term business viability.
ANTHONY MURPHY
Founder and Managing Director, Prime Advocates
Anthony is an industry leading impact and finance lawyer, ESG strategist and social entrepreneur. Anthony is the founder and managing director of impact and social finance advisory firm Prime Advocates. Anthony advises foundations, financial organisations, hedge funds and innovative technology businesses on impact, ESG and legal matters. Anthony is a trustee to the Tudor Trust and NED of Opus Community. Formerly, Anthony was the EMEA head of Prime Services and Equity Finance Legal for J.P. Morgan and Bear Stearns where he led the legal build-out of the EMEA Prime Brokerage business platform.
Anthony has a wealth of experience in the alternatives and social finance space, having assisted social finance groups and organisations for over 21 years. He is also an expert in EU and UK corporate finance, financial regulatory, hedge fund regulation analysis and ESG regulation/ best practice.
Anthony qualified as a solicitor at the global US law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, specialising in Securitisation. He holds a higher LLB in Law from Bristol University.
SHAFAT KHAN
Partnerships and Storytelling Manager, Ashoka
Shafat is focused on supporting young changemakers across the country and surfacing untold stories to create more equitable narratives in society. Shafat has a background in building programs to activate changemaking journeys, facilitating ideation sessions, marketing and communications, having worked at various startup organisations as well as being a founder himself.
EVA-MARIA DIMITRIADIS
Managing Partner, Conduit Connect
Eva-Maria Dimitriadis is Managing Partner of Conduit Connect Ltd which connects high impact businesses with the resources needed to scale their impact. Eva is on the investment committee for the Conduit EIS Impact Fund which backs diverse founders building highly scalable businesses in the thematic sectors of Climate, Health, Education and Inclusion. Prior to Conduit Connect, Eva was Chief Operating Officer at C5 Accelerate where she built and ran their global accelerator program, working with founders from around the world. Through its offices in Washington DC, London and Bahrain, C5 incubated and invested in pre-series A tech startups using cloud technology for positive social change. The alumni portfolio comprises over 70 startups working across a number of verticals including AgTech, EdTech, HealthTech, Fintech, CleanTech, and Cybersecurity. Prior to C5, Eva served as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Christie’s. During her nine years at Christie's she also worked in Business Development focusing on the company’s expansion into growth markets such as India, China, the Middle East, and Africa.
Eva is originally Greek, born in London, grew up in Zimbabwe and has an MA (Oxon) in PPP from Oxford University. She is passionate about supporting female founders and empowering women to take control of their investment decisions. Eva mentors a number of startups and entrepreneurs. In her spare time she has served as a trustee for the Kay Mason Foundation and development board member of the English National Ballet.
IVO DEVEREUX
Co-Founder, Sapling Spirits
17:20
Award Ceremony
18:10
Commencement Speech
18:30
Closing Remarks
18:30 - 20:00
Drinks Reception and Celebration
Meet the Past Winners
- 2024 -

Sri Hollema - Mat Zero, Climate and Sustainability/People’s Choice Winner
Mat Zero provides heated mats that are designed to provide life-saving warmth, while also offering energy-efficient comfort for everyday use.

Gregory Hargraves – Paige Braille, Education, Skills and Training Winner
Paige Braille replaces a braille writer's base board, translating key presses via an app, fostering collaboration with sighted peers, parents, and teachers.

Alaya Holloway – FirstGens, Social Justice and Inclusion Winner
FirstGens, a not-for-profit, supports first-generation university students, aiming to close national completion and graduate destination gaps for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
- 2023 -

Katie Hodgetts – The Resilience Project, Climate and Sustainability Winner
The Resilience Project is a youth-led organization empowering young climate activists by providing mental health support and leadership training to combat climate anxiety and burnout.

Sara Berkai – Ambessa Play, Education, Skills and Training/People's Choice Winner
Ambessa Play is a social enterprise offering DIY STEM kits for children, operating on a one-for-one model: for each kit purchased, one is donated to a displaced child lacking access to education.

Zak Marks – Kitt Medical, Social Justice and Inclusion Winner
Kitt Medical provides wall-mounted Anaphylaxis Kitts containing emergency adrenaline pens, accompanied by CPD-accredited online training, to schools and qualifying businesses across the UK.
JOE SEDDON
Founder and CEO, Zero Gravity
Joe Seddon is the 27-year-old Founder & CEO of Zero Gravity, a mission-driven startup that powers talented students from low-opportunity backgrounds into top universities and careers. Zero Gravity has supported 8,000+ students into top universities, including 800+ into Oxbridge, and works with leading companies like HSBC, KPMG and Snapchat to level the playing field. Joe is one of Europe’s leading social entrepreneurs, having been recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30, named by The Sunday Times in their Young Power List, and honoured in King Charles’ Birthday Honours.
COTHER HAJAT
Public Health and Longevity Expert
Dr. Cother Hajat is an Oxford, UK based Board-Certified Public Health Physician and Professor, with over 30 years of experience in public health, chronic disease prevention, and health system innovation. As a global thought leader in healthy ageing, longevity, and personalised medicine, Dr. Hajat has advised governments in the UK, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, private sector leaders including at IBM and Vitality-Discovery Group, and international organisations including the World Health Organisation, on strategies to promote healthspan and improve quality of life across diverse populations. Dr. Hajat’s expertise spans precision prevention, digital health, genomics and behavioural science, with a focus on innovative approaches to extending healthy longevity. She has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the development of personalised nutrition strategies for NEOM, Saudi Arabia, and the establishment of population-wide chronic disease prevention programmes in the UK and Abu Dhabi. Her award-winning work has been recognised at global forums such as the World Economic Forum, UN General Assembly, and Climate COP26 and COP28 meetings. As the Founder and CEO of the Real World Health Advisory Group, Dr. Hajat continues to drive innovation in health technology and lifestyle medicine. Her leadership in integrating science, technology, and behavioural insights positions her as a key contributor to shaping the future of healthy ageing and longevity strategies. Dr. Hajat holds a PhD in Epidemiology from King’s College London, a Master’s in Public Health, and is a Fellow of the UK Royal College of Physicians and the Faculty of Public Health. She is a sought-after advisor for organisations seeking to advance their impact in the longevity space, combining scientific rigor with a passion for improving lives globally.
JANAK PADHIAR
Innovation Leader
Janak is an innovation leader and ecosystem builder, driving transformative ventures at the intersection of AI, climate, and frontier technologies. With expertise spanning early-stage to growth ventures, hybrid funding models, and ecosystem development, he accelerates innovation through strategic partnerships, investment analysis, and fund development. Previously, he has led a new vertical of green fintech innovation through the Undaunted Greenhouse Accelerator and Innovation Hubs across Leeds and London.
With a PhD from the University of Oxford and experience leading social innovation programs with UNHCR in South Asia, as well as serving as an NIH Fogarty Fellow at Dartmouth College, Janak brings a global perspective shaped by work across North America, Europe, and emerging markets. His expertise spans deep tech, climate tech, edtech, and fintech, bridging research, engineering, and commercialization to turn breakthrough innovations into scalable impact.
Beyond venture building, Janak is committed to advancing inclusive innovation ecosystems and supporting entrepreneurs. He has led ESG and social impact initiatives as part of the Soho House Inclusivity Advisory Board and is an incoming contributing writer for Condé Nast.
SRI HOLLEMA
Founder and CEO, Mat Zero
Sri is the Founder and CEO of Mat Zero, a safe and sustainable portable heating solution.
Growing up overseas, Sri witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by vulnerable communities with ill-equipped shelters, little to no energy access and hazardous heating solutions. Inspired by her experiences and driven by her passion for the environment, Sri created Mat Zero.
Now a multiple award-winning entrepreneur, Sri has transformed Mat Zero from a concept into a life-saving humanitarian aid. With the prototype fully developed and field trials underway, she is focused on scaling up production in 2025
ALAYA AMADI HOLLOWAY
Founder and CEO, FirstGens
Alaya Amadi-Holloway is the Founder and CEO of FirstGens. Nearly dropping out of university herself, her first hand experience led to her founding FirstGens, and has since become a champion for systems change that increases equality of opportunity.
Alaya is regularly invited to speak and write about building a more inclusive education system that truly fosters participation. Alaya's feature on Wonkhe and appearances at University of Bristol, BBC, Innovate UK Women In Business, as well as former Education Secretary’s podcast, casts a light on her growing influence as a trusted voice in education.
SELIN YIGITBASI-DUCKER
Founder and CEO, Goodsted
Selin is the Founder & CEO of Goodsted, a platform that helps organisations run and scale their social impact programmes. From housing associations to corporates, Goodsted enables teams to engage employees, suppliers, and communities - whether to deliver social value for clients, strengthen employee engagement, or support local communities. It also helps track meaningful connections within existing member communities. The platform reduces admin, tracks outcomes, and aligns with reporting frameworks.
She also co-chairs the global Entrepreneurship Community of the Family Business Network (FBN) and serves on the board of Fast Forward 2030, a global network of impact entrepreneurs hosted by UCL’s Institute for Global Prosperity.
Recognised as one of the 50 Rising Stars in ESG by Financial Times and Women of the Future in 2022, Selin is also a past winner of the FBN NxG Lombard Odier Award and CampdenFB Top Next-Generation Entrepreneur Award.
TAHA TARIQ
Youth Changemaker, Ashoka
AWARD PARTNERS
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNER
IN KIND PARTNER
DISCLAIMER
Please note that this event will be recorded and photographed. By attending this event, you consent to being photographed, filmed and recorded (“Recordings”). You further consent to The Conduit, and its assigns’ use of your name and your appearance and voice as captured by these Recordings, in any and all media, worldwide, for any purpose in connection with this event, including promotion of this event.
The Young Innovator and Impact Venture Award funds are administered by our partners at The Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action (CIVA) and Conduit Connect.
The administrators reserve the right to determine the total of any award, this decision is final.
GATHERING CHANGEMAKERS