How can traditionally underserved populations have access to opportunity and fully participate in the technology-enabled and digitally literate workforces of the future?

Automation and artificial intelligence are dramatically transforming the digital literacy skills required of global workforces—and the very nature of work. This creates challenges and opportunities. On one hand, technology-driven innovation is eliminating jobs, squeezing wages, and requiring complete retraining across agriculture, manufacturing, the service industry, and many other sectors. This is sowing workforce disruption, fear, and anxiety. On the other hand, technology trends are increasing productivity and safety, creating new jobs and entire industries, fostering entrepreneurship, and affording people more opportunities for higher-value tasks and creativity. Meanwhile, the workforces of today are suffering from a skills and vacancies gap.  Of employers surveyed, 45 percent report struggling to fill roles due to lack of skills. At the same time, some 30 to 45 percent of the working-age population around the world is underutilized—that is, unemployed, underemployed, or inactive, with young adults and women being a crucial pool of untapped labor.

The challenge: how to mitigate the worst effects of these transformations. The opportunity: how to accelerate and expand the opportunities afforded so that everyone—including those left behind and most marginalized—can fully participate and create prosperous livelihoods for themselves. 

ServiceNow, the leading digital workflow company making work, work better for people, is partnering with MIT Solve on the Digital Workforce Challenge. ServiceNow believes that technology should be in the service of people. The ServiceNow Digital Workforce Challenge is seeking tech-based solutions that:

• Increase opportunities for people—especially those traditionally left behind and most marginalized—to access digital and 21st century skills, meet employer demands, and access the jobs of today and tomorrow;

• Upskill, reskill, or retrain workers in the industries most affected by technological transformations; and

• Support underserved people in fostering entrepreneurship and creating new technologies, businesses, and jobs.

For more information, see the "How the Digital Workforce Challenge Works" page. 

Prize Funding for the Digital Workforce Challenge

US$100,000 in prize funding is available for the Digital Workforce Challenge, provided by ServiceNow.

In addition to funding, ServiceNow will be providing the selected winner of the Digital Workforce Challenge with skills-based mentorship and media opportunities.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Contest runs from 9:00 AM EST on 12/19/2019 to 5:00 PM EST on 3/2/2020. Must be 18 years or older (20+ in Japan) to enter or have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence as of the date of submission. Other restrictions apply.

Who can apply to the Digital Workforce Challenge?

The Digital Workforce Challenge is open to for-profit or non-profit solutions. The solution must be either:

1. Currently deployed in one or more of ServiceNow’s primary markets: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and Japan

2. Operating and showing promise in another geography, and be ready to be deployed in one or more of ServiceNow’s primary markets

Applicants can be individual students, entrepreneurs, teams, or established start-ups. If you have a relevant solution, we hope you’ll apply*! 

*Government agencies and any employee, officer, director, or representative of a federal, state, local, or foreign Government, or any immediate family member of any employee, officer, director, or representative of a federal, state, local, or foreign Government are not eligible to participate.

How are we CrowdSolving the Digital Workforce Challenge?

1. SOURCING SOLUTIONS Anyone who meets the criteria above can participate in the Digital Workforce Challenge and submit a solution. Whether you’re working on a prototype or have an existing product, we’re looking for innovators and entrepreneurs with the best solutions.
2. SELECTING SOLUTIONS Once the submission deadlines pass, judging begins. After an initial screening by ServiceNow and Solve staff, Digital Workforce Challenge judges select the most promising solutions as Finalists. These Finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions at a Digital Workforce Challenge Pitch Event, where judges will select the winner.

What type of solutions will be accepted to the Digital Workforce Challenge?

Solution applications must be written in English. The Digital Workforce Challenge considers solutions at all stages of development.

• Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea. We welcome you to submit your solution if it is still in concept stage to participate in the discussion, but please note that solutions that are still at the concept stage are unlikely to be selected. You have until the final submission deadline to prototype and experiment with your idea!
• Prototype: A venture building and testing its product, service, or business model. Typically described as "Pre-Seed" if For-Profit.
• Pilot: An enterprise deploying a tested product, service, or business model in at least one community. Hybrids and For-Profits would typically be in a "Seed" round and starting to generate revenue (whether or not they are cash flow positive).
• Growth: An enterprise with an established product, service, or business model rolled out, which is poised for further growth in multiple communities or countries. Organizations at this stage should have a clear path towards financial sustainability whether they are nonprofit or for-profit. For-Profits at this stage would be "Seed" or "Series A.”
• Scale: A sustainable enterprise working in several communities or countries and that is looking to scale significantly, focusing on increased efficiency. For-Profits in this stage would be "Series A" or "Series B."

The most important thing is that your solution addresses the focus of the Digital Workforce Challenge.

How will my solution be evaluated?

The judging committee for the Digital Workforce Challenge will be comprised of experts and leaders from across industries. After an initial screening by ServiceNow and Solve staff, the judges will score the screened solutions based on the following criteria. All criteria will be given equal weight:

• Alignment: The solution addresses the challenge that has been set forth.
• Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact lives.
• Scalability: The solution can be scaled to affect the lives of more people.
• Feasibility: Solution implementation is feasible, and the team has a plan for financial sustainability.
• Innovative Approach: This is a new solution, a new application of a solution, a new business model, or a new process for solving the challenge.

Selected finalists will pitch before the Digital Workforce Challenge judges and a live audience during a Virtual Pitch Event. The judges will determine which solution is the most promising and the winning team will receive prize funding and support from ServiceNow.

Digital Workforce Challenge Timeline

• December 19, 2019 - Digital Workforce Challenge opens
• March 2, 2020 - Deadline for applicants to submit a solution
• Early April 2020 - Finalists announced
• TBD May 2020 - Virtual Pitch Event

What can I win if my solution is selected?

Finalists will be invited to a Live Pitch Event to present their solutions in front of distinguished judges. US$100,000 in prize funding is available for the winner of the Digital Workforce Challenge. 

In addition to funding, ServiceNow will be providing selected winners of the Digital Workforce Challenge with skills-based mentorship and media opportunities.

Further questions? Please reach out to: help@solve.mit.edu

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Contest runs from 9:00 AM EST on 12/19/2019 to 5:00 PM EST on 3/2/2020. Must be 18 years or older (20+ in Japan) to enter or have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence as of the date of submission. Other restrictions apply.