2025 saw the introduction of a brand new element of the Digital Skills Festival; the Future Innovators Challenge.
Together with our supporters Amazon, and challenge facilitators TeenTech, we empowered Year 8 and 9 students from across Greater Manchester to unleash their creativity and build tech solutions that could make a real difference. From tackling environmental challenges to improving online safety, these future innovators showed just how powerfully technology can be used to shape a better world.
The Future Innovators Challenge focused on developing technical skills, professional competencies and career visibility for young people in the region. It aligned with the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s #MBacc ambition to create the UK’s first integrated technical education system, with greater equity and visibility for all.
Future Innovators Day, held on 10th February 2025 at Amazon Manchester, brought together students from nine schools to pitch their ideas in a fast-paced competition. Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was there to present the GM Mayors Award, and inspire the students to continue on their tech ingenuity journeys. We’re hugely grateful to Amazon for hosting the event and providing technical mentors and platform access as part of the challenge.
Prizes included a technology boost pack from Amazon, featuring tech products and vouchers, along with recognition prizes for all students, accreditation for completing the challenge, and the opportunity to continue on the TeenTech Awards pathway.
This challenge was all about nurturing the next generation of tech leaders in Greater Manchester. By inspiring young people to think big, innovate, and pursue careers in tech, we’re helping to retain regional talent and build a stronger digital future for everyone.
If you would like to be involved with the 2025/2026 challenge, please get in touch with our Festival Lead, Roxy Stafford at roxy@manchesterdigital.com.
