About

MIT Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that advances lasting solutions from tech entrepreneurs to address the world's most pressing problems. Solve issues four Global Challenges each year to find the most promising Solver teams who will drive transformational change. Solve then deploys its global community of private, public, and nonprofit leaders to form the partnerships these Solver teams need to scale their impact. Last year, more than 1,150 people from 110 countries submitted solutions to Solve’s Challenges. Solve’s open 2019 Challenges include: (1) Circular Economy, (2) Community-Driven Innovation, (3) Early Childhood Development, and (4) Healthy Cities.

In the last two years, Solve's cross-sector community has committed more than $7.5 million in funding to Solver teams, in addition to in-kind support such as mentorship, technical expertise, media and conference exposure, and business and entrepreneurship training. Our Solver portfolio consists of 99 early-stage startups headquartered in 32 different countries, and 52% of them are women-led.

1. OPTIMISM
   Though complex challenges exist in the world, they can be solved.
2. PARTNERSHIP
   No one organization, sector, or industry can solve these challenges alone. Progress must be made through partnership.
3. OPEN INNOVATION
   Talent and ingenuity exist everywhere; we must find and support those with big ideas.
4. HUMAN-CENTERED SOLUTIONS
   Solutions must begin with, end with, and involve the people for whom they’re designed.
5. INCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY
   Technology should address economic, cultural, and social barriers to create opportunities for all.