YouthSparks Ideas Competition names five youth winners for “community-changing” startup ideas Originally posted on MINNE INNO • January 25, 2024 • by Alyxandra Sego Five young innovators each won $1,000 during a newly launched YouthSparks Ideas Competition for their “community-changing” startup ideas. The competition, launched by Minneapolis-based nonprofit support organization Social Venture Partners Minnesota, sought ideas from Minnesota youth ages 12 to 24 to “positively impact youth and help change the community.” The five winners developed solutions for people experiencing disabilities and illnesses, ideas for social platforms and a financial literacy education platform. Read More at MINNE INNO

Mahtomedi teen’s idea of cleaning and companionship services for elderly wins $1k Originally posted on MPRNEWS • December 23, 2023 • by Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder Minneapolis based nonprofit Social Venture Partners recently asked youth ages 12-24 for innovations that could help their communities. The organization is celebrating five winners of the YouthSparks Ideas competition on Monday; 15-year-old Jaylen Jones is one of them. He pitched an idea for a business called “Jones Cleaning and Companionship,” which was inspired by his time helping his grandmother, Shonda James Ofili. Jaylen sees the business as a reciprocal benefit to three generations of people:

Minnesota youth could win $1,000 for ideas that benefit their communities Originally posted on MPRNEWS • December 23, 2023 • by Alanna Elder A Minneapolis nonprofit is asking youth to share their ideas for products, services or activities that could make positive change in their communities. Social Venture Partners Minnesota’s Youth Grantmaking Taskforce meets to talk about their process for choosing what to fund. The organization convened the taskforce and launched a youth innovation competition as part of an effort to empower young people to make decisions about their communities. Applications for the contest are due Dec. 30. Social Venture Partners Minnesota,