Samsung UK has opened entries for the seventh year of Solve for Tomorrow, its free tech-for-good competition for 11 to 18 year olds across the UK and Ireland. Every secondary school, college and young person in this age group can apply, with entries closing on 18 January 2027.
The competition asks pupils to pick a real-world problem they care about and design a tech-based solution for it, whether that helps people, communities or the environment. Along the way, teams get mentoring from Samsung volunteers, access to prototype funding, and the chance to pitch to industry experts at the national final at Samsung KX in King’s Cross, London.
Built to support careers education, not add to workload
Samsung says the programme is designed to slot into what schools are already trying to do. It supports the Gatsby Benchmarks and can be taught in a single lesson, over six lessons, or as independent study, with no specialist tech knowledge needed to run it.
It fits naturally into D&T, ICT, PSHE/Citizenship, Computer Science and Economics, though Samsung says any subject or department can take part. The aim is to give pupils real employer contact and mentoring without adding cost or pressure to staff time.
Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said schools consistently ask for practical curriculum support and genuine employer engagement. She said this year’s expansion, delivered with partners including the Design & Technology Association, Design Council, Tech She Can and Internet Matters, is part of Samsung’s aim to reach one million young people by 2030.
New regional workshops in Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Manchester
To widen access, Samsung is taking the programme on the road with regional workshops in Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Manchester, alongside teacher training aimed at building lasting confidence in delivering the programme.
Winning teams receive Samsung technology, national recognition on the Piccadilly Circus screen, and work experience inside Samsung, a rare opportunity for secondary-age students to spend time inside a global tech company. Teachers and schools are recognised too, with prizes on offer and Samsung Certified School status for those who take part.
Strong results from last year’s competition
Samsung says 84,137 young people took part across the UK and Ireland last year, with 2,185 entering the competition itself. Participants’ self-reported confidence rose from 45% to 73%, and their overall capability across creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and self-management improved from 43% to 65%.
Among teachers, 82% said the programme helped pupils build both STEM and life skills, and 71% said it improved how students viewed D&T as a subject. It was also named Best STEM Education Platform Award Winner by the Edtech Innovation Hub.
Previous winners include Nell from County Limerick, whose AsthmaSense device warns users before an asthma attack starts, and Devansh, whose wound-scanning device The Green Cross won the 16-18 category. Both said the biggest change was in their confidence presenting and pitching ideas.
Since launching in 2020, Solve for Tomorrow has reached 401,444 young people and around a third of all secondary schools across the UK and Ireland, with 7,618 ideas entered so far.
Applications and free resources are available now at SolveforTomorrowUK.com. Competition terms and conditions apply.
