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A Better Tomorrow Starting Today

21 MAY 2025

JOIN US AT THE AWARDS

About the Conference & 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.

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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

LEAD PARTNER

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If you’d like to partner for this year’s award, enquire below.

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About the Young Innovator Awards

Many young, impact-led entrepreneurs lack the mentorship, support and funding they need to take their idea to the next level. These awards – held in partnership with the Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action (CIVA) – aim to change that, recognising and supporting remarkable visionaries aged between 18 and 28.

The winners will receive up to £10,000, as well as mentoring from industry experts and complimentary membership to The Conduit.
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*Applications have now closed
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About the Impact
Venture Awards

The Conduit Impact Venture Award presents the opportunity to win £200,000 in equity investment from the Conduit EIS Impact Fund. This will be given to an entrepreneur that has led the way in developing genuine solutions to the world’s biggest issues. The winner of this award will become part of the Conduit Connect portfolio.  

AGENDA


13:00-14:00

Registration

14:00

Welcome Remarks

NICK HAMILTON
Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer, The Conduit

Nick Hamilton

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

15:25

Networking Reception and Meet the Innovators

16:25

Panel Discussion

The next generation of entrepreneurs is redefining success—blending purpose and profit to build businesses that drive social and environmental change. But how can we create ecosystems that empower young impact entrepreneurs to turn their vision into scalable, sustainable enterprises?

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 Murphy

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 Khan (1)

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. 

17:05

Award Ceremony

17:55

Commencement Speech

18:30

Closing Remarks

18:30 - 20:00

Drinks Reception and Celebration

OUR ALUMNI


Meet the Past Winners

- 2024 -

Sri-Hollema

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

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 

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 -

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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.

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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.

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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.

JUDGING PANEL


JOE SEDDON
Founder and CEO, Zero Gravity

Joe Seddon

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

Cother Hajat

 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 Padhiar

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 Hollema

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 Holloway

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.

FirstGens is an award-winning innovative engagement and progression solution dedicated to empowering students who are the first-generation in their family to navigate university. The FirstGens pilot in 23-24 saw students from across 28 UK Universities apply. Their community engagement is testament to their inclusive design approach.
 
Through a multi-award-winning edtech platform, FirstGens has cultivated space for students to build confidence, belonging and bridge the existing generational knowledge and emotional/cultural support gaps. These Insights shape FirstGens’ staff learning and development training.
 

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.

AWARD PARTNERS

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNER

IN KIND PARTNER

GATHERING CHANGEMAKERS

The Conduit is a collaborative community of people committed to creating a just, prosperous and sustainable future.