The judging criteria for yia!
You may be wondering what the judges are looking for in a great entry. While we can’t guarantee a win, we can help you to understand what our judges are looking for. You can read more on our student’s page.
Experience hands-on innovation and arm yourself with the skills you need in the future. Discover new opportunities, develop ideas and research solutions to create new products and services that make a difference.
During the yia! programme, you’ll get all the support you need from mentors and organisers. You’ll use the Design Thinking methodology to empathise, research and prototype your ideas.
Don’t forget, it’s all about crafting real-world solutions to problems that are important to you - not winning.
1. How well do you understand the problem?
Our judges will be asking how well you have identified your problem or need. Judges will also be looking for the quality of evidence and research that highlights the scope of the problem you have chosen to solve.
2. How well do you understand the customer?
By customer, we mean the end-user of your innovation. Judges will need to know how well you understand the needs of your target audience and if you’ve changed your innovation to reflect this.
3. How well does your solution solve the problem?
This judging criteria is all about your ability to explain your idea, how it solves the problem, and why it's better than what's currently available.
4. Have you thought about sustainability?
Judges will be looking for how well you have considered factors that would impact the people, planet and communities related to your idea. Sustainable solutions ask; how well does your idea meet the needs of the present without compromising future needs?
5. How well you have communicated your idea
Your ability to use a variety of communication styles will be vital in convincing the judges you have a great idea! Invest time in a well-planned and well-executed video. For tips on how to create a good video entry, read our guide here.
And there you have it! Don’t forget to have lots of fun. With yia! it’s more important that we learn together than winning.