The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and Seedstars have jointly launched the fourth edition of The Migration Challenge.
This program is seeking global tech startups, especially those in proximity to Europe, that is Northern Africa, the Middle East, Central, and Eastern Europe.
Its primary goal is to encourage innovation in regular migration processes that benefit migrants, businesses, and governments.
Moreover, this includes solutions that address climate-induced migration challenges and supporting green transitions involving migrant workforces.
It’s worth noting that approximately 70 percent of the world’s international migrant population consists of foreign labor migrants.
In addition, Europe and Asia, as regions, collectively host the majority of international migrants, accounting for up to 61 percent of the global labor international migration flow.
Individuals migrate for better opportunities due to various factors such as political, social, economic, and the growing impact of climate crises.
What’s more, the integration of technology and digitalization is instrumental in tackling the multifaceted challenges associated with modern-day migration.
Seedstars Collaborations
In their previous three iterations, IOE and Seedstars have effectively connected the tech startup community with stakeholders at the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).
Further, the shared objective was to uncover sustainable and scalable solutions addressing governance challenges related to migration, while offering a platform for promising tech startups to accelerate their growth.
In this fourth edition, the spotlight is on startups dedicated to simplifying migration procedures for businesses and governments, with a specific emphasis on environmentally conscious climate tech solutions.
To be eligible for participation, startups must meet the following criteria:
1. Focus on providing mobility and services to businesses or governments within the domain of labor migration.
2. Possess a tested minimum viable product with initial user traction.
3. Offer solutions tailored for businesses or government clients (B2B & B2G).
Innovative Solutions for Positive Change
Also, the Migration Challenge will identify 20 innovative solutions, from which 10 finalists will be selected to present their solutions at the GFMD Summit, scheduled for January 23-25, 2024, in Geneva.
The champion and two finalists will receive guidance and support from mentors within the Seedstars Mentorship Hub.
These mentors will assist in addressing core business challenges, improving fundraising efforts, and facilitating the expansion of their operations.
The winner of the challenge will also receive a prize of 5,000 Swiss Francs courtesy of IOE.
Elizabeth Jones, Head of Programs at Seedstars, expressed enthusiasm about the potential transformative solutions this edition will introduce.
“We are eager to see the transformative solutions this edition will bring. Our collaboration with IOE in the past editions has always paved the way for groundbreaking innovations in the migration sector,” she said.
Roberto Suarez-Santos, Secretary General of IOE, highlighted their unwavering commitment, alongside Seedstars, to utilize technology for a transformative impact that will drive positive change for labor migrants, business communities, and governments.
“Migration is a multifaceted international challenge and with Seedstars, we are steadfast in our commitment to leverage technology for transformative impact that will catalyse positive change for labour migrants, business communities and governments.
“We look forward to the impactful solutions the fourth edition will unveil,” he stated.