Deadline: October 17, 2025
Are you a young innovator in California with a groundbreaking idea to solve community challenges? The Westly Prize for Young Innovators of California 2025-2026 is now open for applications, offering up to $40,000 in prize money to support early-stage innovations with a strong social purpose.
This prestigious prize empowers the next generation of changemakers who are developing bold solutions that make a real difference.
About the Westly Prize
The Westly Prize was established to encourage young social innovators who are committed to creating impactful solutions for their communities. It provides crucial funding to help scale early-stage innovations that are already beyond the idea phase and have a working prototype.
Prize Details
- Three Grand Prizes of USD $40,000 each.
- Honourable Mention Awards of USD $5,000 each.
- A total prize pool of USD $145,000 will be distributed across winners.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Individual or Team: Applications may be submitted by individuals or teams of up to four members.
- Team Eligibility: If a team applies, at least half the members must meet all eligibility requirements.
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be under 28 years old in the calendar year of application. For teams, at least half must satisfy this.
- California Requirement: Applicants must live, work, or attend school in California, or be from California and currently studying elsewhere. At least half of co-founders must satisfy this.
- Founder Requirement: Applicants must be the creator/founder (or co-creator/co-founder) of the innovation, and all co-founders must be included in the application.
Innovation Requirements
The Westly Prize seeks early-stage innovations that:
- Have a working prototype.
- Address a pressing community challenge.
- Are grounded in a clear social purpose.
Fields of innovation eligible for consideration include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Arts
- Civic Engagement
- Education
- Energy
- Environment
- Food Production / Distribution
- Health
- Safety
- Technology / Tech for Good
- Transportation
- Youth Development
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: October 17, 2025
- Presentation Date: Finalists must be available to present remotely on January 24, 2026
Why Apply?
The Westly Prize for Young Innovators of California 2025-2026 is more than just funding — it is an opportunity to gain visibility, mentorship, and validation for your innovation. Winning the prize provides both the financial resources and the platform to scale your impact.
How to Apply
For guidance on your application, contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
