18U18 WINNERS OF 2024
CELEBRATING YOUNG VISIONARIES
DISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THIS YEAR’S WINNING 18 UNDER 18!
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Aaron Wei is the founder of a series of Youth Forums and community festivals aimed at amplifying young voices in policy and social action. After realizing he was the only attendee under 20 at a local forum, Aaron organized the first youth-focused events in his community, including the Brisbane Youth Forum at Parliament House, which brought together 80 young people and 3 government ministers. Now, in collaboration with GoodPeople, he leads a 40-member youth team to run community festivals that foster intergenerational connection, with 4,000 attendees expected at their inaugural event. Aaron’s efforts have connected over 150 youth from 40 schools, inspiring projects like the Youth Climate Council and sparking transformative grassroot changes.
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Betania Adane is leading an AI-based approach to discover biomarkers for the early detection of ovarian cancer, a disease that has a survival rate of less than 6% among the 325,000 women diagnosed each year. Through her research at the Harvard Open Bio Laboratory Student Research Institute, she identified five significant biomarkers, surpassing existing diagnostic options with low-cost, non-invasive alternatives. Betania's project, recognized as a Top 5 research initiative, not only pushes the boundaries of women’s health research but also aims to make reliable diagnostics accessible globally, empowering women and challenging the status quo in medical research.
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Alexandra Sanchez is the founder of Re.Prosthesis, an innovative initiative that converts e-waste into affordable, high-quality prosthetics for underserved communities. By partnering with local businesses and health centers, Alexandra addresses both environmental sustainability and healthcare accessibility through a closed-loop process. Re.Prosthesis not only aims to provide durable and functional prosthetics but also empowers communities with education in e-waste management. With accolades from the Innovative Teen Leaders Summit and recognition from local authorities in Peru, Alexandra believes in a future where sustainable prosthetic solutions are available globally, improving lives while promoting environmental responsibility.
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Elijah Im is the inventor of a revolutionary vertical farming system that utilizes artificial moonlight to enhance crop yield while reducing costs. With a patented design, Elijah's innovative approach promotes sustainable agriculture by optimizing plant growth through the use of artificial lunar light. She has published a book simplifying her patent's complex concepts, making the technology accessible to the public. Additionally, her research on moonlight's impact on chlorophyll DNA has been recognized at the International Young Researchers Conference. Elijah envisions her technology as a key solution to food security amid climate change, paving the way for future advancements in indoor farming.
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Arda Bora Karahan is the founder of PlastiScan, an innovative device designed to prevent microplastics from entering the food chain through water sources. His work is rooted in the principles of Raman Scattering, allowing for effective microplastic detection. Arda has successfully developed a functional prototype, conducting experiments in collaboration with local universities and fish farms. He has educated over 700 students through Microplastic Education Workshops, raising awareness about water pollution and its health impacts. Arda's vision is to ensure clean water for all, driving global initiatives to address the critical issue of microplastics in our environment.
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Justin Peng is an award-winning innovator and patent holder whose assistive-technology devices improve mobility for those with visual and hearing impairments. His flagship invention, NavAbility, uses Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation to help the visually impaired navigate safely. Justin's work, recognized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and numerous universities, has led him to share his innovations on platforms like TEDx and exhibit across Canada and the U.S. With over $72,000 in awards and recognition, Justin has developed multiple award-winning projects focused on accessibility, including collision-avoidance systems and augmented reality eyewear. His vision is to create a world where technology removes barriers, fostering inclusivity for all.
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Aziz Akturin is the founder of AquaSync, an innovative company specializing in an Arduino-based intelligent irrigation system designed to optimize water usage for sustainable agriculture. This smart irrigation solution automates the watering process and allows remote control via a mobile app, significantly increasing efficiency by 56%. He developed the iOS application with support from his software engineer brothers and attracted partnerships with prominent organizations like AstanaHub and Nazarbayev University. Recognized at the Festival of Hope, AquaSync secured a $2,100 grant. Aziz aims to empower farmers in Kazakhstan while promoting sustainable practices aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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Xiyun Hu is the inspiring founder and CEO of the Starry Night Initiative, the largest youth-led organization dedicated to combating light pollution globally. Through strategic partnerships with over 30 schools and collaborations with leading environmental organizations, Xiyun has implemented innovative light shield technology and awareness campaigns that have reached more than 100,000 people. Her initiative, recognized by the United Nations, has influenced policy discussions, improved lighting infrastructure in over 20 countries, and provided accessible solutions for communities to reduce light pollution. With plans to further refine technology and engage policymakers, Xiyun aims to transform the way cities manage lighting, enhancing the visibility of the stars for everyone.
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Saras Agrawal and Rateb Ajamieh are the co-founders of HeartHear, an innovative ear-wearable device aimed at transforming the prediction of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases. Drawing on mentorship from industry leaders and extensive datasets, they are driving a groundbreaking approach to early disease detection, with the potential to significantly enhance survivability rates for heart conditions. Their ambitious vision includes patenting their cutting-edge technology and collaborating with leading medical research institutions to refine predictive models. HeartHear aims to save over 1.3 million North Americans from cardiovascular illness, making it a crucial tool in the fight against preventable cardiovascular deaths.
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Elif Gulce Batgi is the visionary behind Lignopure, a project using bio-based solutions from 9 million tons of rice husk to tackle water pollution in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Inspired by her childhood in Diyarbakir, where clean water was scarce, she researched sustainable solutions at Dicle University. Elif’s work achieved up to 90% pollutant absorption using rice husk. She also co-developed Fluvius, an app that maps water-quality across Turkey, and led workshops for 1,300 students in partnership with the Ministry of National Education across Turkey. Elif aims to empower communities with sustainable, accessible clean water solutions for a resilient, innovative future.
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Jay Shankarpure is the founder of LocalHost, an initiative dedicated to democratizing access to venture capital for young innovators. In just 11 months, they've successfully raised $150k from institutional investors to support GenZ founders, providing funding of up to $20k to promising startups like Glist.ai and faura.us, both of which have since secured millions in additional funding. LocalHost also partners with major corporations, including Notion and GitHub, to offer essential resources and discounts to its portfolio founders. With plans to raise $3 million by the end of 2024 and $20 million by 2027, Jay is committed to eradicating barriers to innovation and empowering the next generation of builders.
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Ellen Li is the founder of an initiative dedicated to increasing women's participation in fencing. By teaching at her all-girls school and establishing beginner programs in public schools, Ellen empowers young women to embrace this dynamic sport, building both physical and mental strength. Despite challenges like funding and underrepresentation, she has fostered a strong community of female fencers, proving that gender does not define ability. Driven by her vision of making fencing accessible to all, regardless of gender, background, or socioeconomic status, Ellen aspires to expand her efforts globally, teaching fencing in developing countries and providing access to equipment, ultimately transforming lives through the power of this empowering sport.
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Brooklynn Thatcher is a gifted classical violinist, accepted as a student by renowned Professor Burkhard Godhoff at just seven years old. Balancing high school life in South Carolina with her studies at the Gifted Music School in Utah, she has earned numerous accolades, including first place in the American Protégé Competition and recognition as a finalist in prestigious music competitions. Brooklynn will debut at Carnegie Hall at 16, driven by her passion for music and a commitment to practice. Her long-term aspiration is to impact the world through her music, conveying emotions where words fall short.
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Yuri Kang is driving transformative advances in brain cancer treatment through her groundbreaking research on chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) to target glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Yuri’s work centers on using CNPs to selectively induce apoptosis in CD44-abundant cancer cells. With her research now published by Columbia University's International Young Researcher’s Conference, Yuri aims to integrate this groundbreaking approach into clinical practice, setting new standards in cancer treatment and offering renewed hope for patients facing this aggressive disease.
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Xinying Sui is the innovative founder of DeCode, a transformative mobile app designed to democratize programming for non-English speakers. As a self-taught developer, she created DeCode, which employs natural language processing to generate visually-guided flashcards, making coding concepts accessible to millions worldwide. With over 10,000 user impressions and significant funding from major tech companies, Xinying’s initiative addresses a critical gap in coding education, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of language, have the opportunity to thrive in the digital age. Her mission fosters inclusivity and empowers the next generation of programmers to succeed.
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Ronith Lahoti leads the "Plastic Warriors" initiative under his "Collaborate to Conserve" project, focusing on environmental conservation through community efforts. Plastic Warriors is an initiative which utilizes chemistry of polymers to make roads from plastic waste in underprivileged communities. With over 1,000,000 INR raised, Ronith’s team has collected and proccessed 184 kg of plastic waste into polyfuel, restored roads, and planted 150 trees, enhancing local ecosystems. Notably, his team’s creation of India’s largest medicinal plant garden in a school has earned recognition in the Indian Book of Records. His projects have mobilized over 1,000 student volunteers and reached 500,000 people, fostering a sustainable, climate-conscious generation.
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Rassul Abuov and Aissultan Baktygali are the driving force behind a futuristic Virtual Reality (VR) initiative that reshapes learning and examination processes. By integrating virtual reality into real estate and education, their project has digitized over 100,000 square meters across two companies, generating over $10,000 in just one month. With contracts signed with major corporations and a pilot program for 22 schools serving nearly 20,000 students, Rassul and Aissuktan are paving the way for immersive learning experiences. Their innovative approach has earned multiple awards, including first place at TechCup 2022. Their vision is to break down barriers between the digital and physical worlds, creating an accessible global platform for immersive learning and innovation.
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Fariza Ginulla, Kamila Kuatova, Nargiza Nurmukhan, Indira Duisembayeva, and Umay Saiyn are the passionate innovators behind ResQ, a life-saving safety monitoring system designed to prevent workplace accidents, fires, and explosions. Driven by the devastating Kostenko mine explosion, they created a solution that combines IoT sensors and computer vision to monitor gas leaks and ensure PPE compliance in real time. Their efforts have garnered notable recognition, including first place at Caspian Startup 2024 and the “AI for Social Good” award at Technovation Girls 2024, impacting safety standards for countless workers. Now, they're focused on expanding ResQ across Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance workplace safety and save countless lives.