Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo 2026 – Digital Solutions for a Smarter Island
📅 Friday, 6 November 2026
🕖 19:00 hrs
📍 Kempinski Hotel, San Lawrenz, Gozo
The Gozo Business Chamber, in collaboration with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), the Gozo Regional Development Authority, Bank of Valletta, JA Malta Foundation, Malta Enterprise, Jobsplus, EUROPE DIRECT Gozo, and the Ministry for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects, as part of SME Week, is pleased to launch the eighth edition of Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo.
Youth4Entrepreneurship gives young people the opportunity to develop and pitch innovative business ideas addressing the needs, challenges and opportunities of Gozo.
More than a competition, the initiative aims to build confidence, strengthen entrepreneurial skills and encourage young people to transform ideas into practical and sustainable solutions.
Under the theme “Digital Solutions for a Smarter Island”, participants are invited to develop a digital-based business idea addressing one of three challenges facing Gozo:
🌐Accessibility
Gozo continues to face accessibility challenges relating both to connectivity to and from the island and to access to essential services within Gozo.
Participants are invited to develop digital solutions that could improve access to transport, services, information or infrastructure, helping make Gozo more connected, inclusive and efficient.
Gozo continues to face accessibility challenges relating both to connectivity to and from the island and to access to essential services within Gozo.
Participants are invited to develop digital solutions that could improve access to transport, services, information or infrastructure, helping make Gozo more connected, inclusive and efficient.
👵Ageing Population
Gozo has an ageing population, with older residents potentially facing challenges relating to healthcare access, mobility, social isolation and independent living.
Participants are invited to develop digital-based business ideas supporting active, healthy and independent ageing, while also assisting families, caregivers and service providers.
🗣️Youth Participation
Young people need effective ways to express their views, contribute ideas and participate in civic and community decision-making.
Participants are invited to explore digital solutions that strengthen youth voice, participation and collaboration, creating new ways for young people to engage with their communities and contribute to decisions affecting them.
From an Idea to a Sustainable Solution
Ideas may take the form of digital platforms, services, applications or other technology-driven solutions responding to real community needs.
However, every proposal must also make business sense.
Participants should therefore consider how their idea could become financially sustainable through realistic models such as partnerships, subscriptions, commissioned services or other sources of income.
A proposal may have a strong social or community purpose, but participants should still consider how it can be financed and sustained over time.
Think of your pitch as an opportunity to convince a potential investor, partner or donor that your idea deserves to become a reality.
Who Can Apply?
Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo is open to young people:
- aged 16 to 35 at the time of submission;
- residing in the Maltese Islands;
- applying individually or as part of a team.
Applicants do not need to be from Gozo. However, the proposed business idea must be clearly and directly related to Gozo.
Individuals and teams who participated in previous editions, including previous winners, may apply again.
Training and Support
Participants will have access to a programme of workshops designed to help them develop their ideas, understand digital innovation, build a sustainable business concept and prepare an effective pitch.
The sessions will be delivered in hybrid format.
Session 1 – Contest Overview, Creativity & Idea Development
📅 Friday, 11 September 2026
🕓 16:00 – 18:00
📍 Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Għajnsielem
Participants will be introduced to the competition and supported in identifying challenges, generating ideas and developing an initial concept.
Session 2 – Digital Innovation
📅 Saturday, 19 September 2026
🕘 09:00 – 11:00
📍 Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Għajnsielem
Participants will explore how digital technologies can be used to develop innovative solutions addressing real needs in Gozo.
Session 3 – Entrepreneurship, Business Models & Funding Opportunities
📅 Friday, 25 September 2026
🕓 16:00–17:30
📍 Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Għajnsielem
The session will help participants transform their idea into a viable business concept, considering customers, business models, financial sustainability and possible sources of funding.
Session 4 – Pitching & Public Speaking
📅 Friday, 30 October 2026
🕓 16:00 – 18:00
📍 Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Għajnsielem
Shortlisted participants will work on presenting their ideas clearly and confidently in preparation for the final event.
Participants may register for the preparatory training sessions here.
Attendance at the workshops is encouraged but is not compulsory in order to enter the competition.
The deadline for submission of proposals is:
📢 Friday, 2 October 2026
All entries will be acknowledged, and applicants will be informed whether their submission is eligible.
Proposal Guidelines
Proposals must:
- be submitted in PDF format;
- be no longer than 500 words;
- present a business idea clearly related to Gozo;
- demonstrate how digital innovation forms an integral part of the proposed solution.
Selection of Finalists
Should more than four eligible applications be received, a pre-selection process will take place between 8 and 16 October 2026.
Following this process, four individuals or teams will be selected to pitch their ideas during the final event.
Each shortlisted participant/team will also receive up to five hours of mentoring through DiHubMT, between 19 October and 4 November.
The Final Pitch
The four shortlisted participants or teams will present their ideas live during the Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo Final on:
Friday, 6 November 2026 at 19:00
Kempinski Hotel, San Lawrenz
Each finalist will deliver a:
🎤 10-minute pitch
📊 Maximum 10-slide presentation
The presentation should address:
- the background and scope of the idea;
- the proposed solution and how it will be implemented;
- potential budget, funding and sources of finance;
- potential difficulties or challenges in implementation.
Following each presentation, the judging panel will have the opportunity to ask questions.
The proceedings, including all pitches, will be held in English.
All finalists will receive a certificate of participation.
Judging Criteria
Ideas will be assessed on:
- Applicability to the Gozitan context
- Financial sustainability
- Innovative and sustainable approach
- Ability to address a problem or specific need
- Quality of the pitch
Prizes🏆
🥇 1st Prize – €500
🥈 2nd Prize – €200
🥉 3rd Prize – €100
The winning proposal will be officially announced on Monday, 16 November 2026 through the Gozo Business Chamber’s website and Facebook page.
Have an idea that could make Gozo smarter?
Whether your solution relates to mobility, access to services, independent ageing, community participation or another innovative digital approach within one of this year’s challenge areas, Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo gives you the opportunity to turn that idea into a structured business proposal and pitch it to a panel of experts.
💡 Think creatively.
🌐 Use digital innovation.
🚀 Build a solution for Gozo.
Apply by Friday, 2nd October 2026
Further Information
To view this year’s regulations, click on the link below:
Youth 4 Entrepreneurship – Gozo – Regulations
For general information about Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo:
📧 info@gozobusinesschamber.org
For information about the youth work and training sessions:
