FAQs

What is Samsung Solve for Tomorrow?

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a free, award-winning innovation programme and tech-for-good competition that helps young people develop future-ready skills, solve real-world challenges and turn creative ideas into positive impact.

The competition is open to all students aged 11 to 18 in secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland.

They are challenged to come up with a tech-for-good solution in response to a real-world problem found in one of these categories:

• Smarter Sport: Tech that makes sport more fun, inclusive and helps everyone perform at their best.
• Greener Future: Tech that protects our planet and helps us live more sustainable lives.
• Safer Online: Tech that keeps us connected, confident and in control.

Students can work by themselves or in teams of up to 4.

They can be supported by our free online resources to help them ideate and develop their ideas.

I’m a teacher, what do I have to do?

To take part in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, you will need to register. Once you have done this you will have access to all resources and the entry details.

If you are already registered, express your interest in the new competition – you
can order a free Ideation poster or Imagination Toolbox ideation cards at the same
time.

You can run lessons, assemblies or set the activities for your students aged 11 to 18 to do outside of school time.

Teachers will need to submit entries on behalf of students and be the main contact for any competition needs. Don’t forget to anonymise entries by using a team name/alias before submitting for judging.

I’m a student, what do I have to do?

You will need to create a tech-for-good idea to solve a real-world problem. Don’t worry – there are lots of supporting resources to help you develop it!

You can do this by yourself or in teams of up to 4.

Ask your teacher to register for the competition and kickstart your idea!

How do I enter?

Teachers need to submit all entries on behalf of their students. The easiest way to submit your entries is by using the online form. Alternatively, you can submit:

• by post to: Freepost SAMSUNG SOLVE FOR TOMORROW
• by email to: samsungsolvefortomorrow@harklondon.com

Entries need to arrive by 23:59 on 18 January 2027. Postal entries received with a post mark on or before 18 January 2027 will be eligible for judging if received by 20 January 2027.

What is the competition timeline?

There are three stages to the competition:

• Imagine it
  1 September 2026 – 18 January 2027
  At this stage, students need to have come up with an idea and create a sketch of
  their solution, with some details about how it will work.

Submission deadline: 23:59 (GMT) on 18 January 2027.

• Make it
  February – March 2027
  The selected semi-finalists will receive support, including mentoring from a
  Samsung employee, to develop their idea further and create a more advanced prototype.
  At the end of this stage, students need to submit an updated entry, taking into
  account their learnings from the support and mentoring.

Submission deadline: 23:59 (GMT) on 15 March 2027.

• Pitch it
  29-30 April 2027
  The selected finalists will receive additional mentoring and a presentation skills
  workshop.
  On 29 April, Finalists will present their ideas in person to a panel of experts. The top ideas will be selected as the winners. On 30 April, finalists will take part in a work experience day with Samsung.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to all students aged 11 to 18 in secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland.

Can students take part again if they’ve participated before?

Yes! Previous participants are welcome to enter again this year, as long as they submit a new idea that they have not entered before. Each student can only take part in one entry (individually or as a team) per competition year.

What if the idea has won another competition?

Ideas that have already received an award or prize with a total value of £1,000 or more (or equivalent) in another competition are not eligible for submission.

I’m a student, how do I enter?

Your teacher will need to submit your idea to the competition for you. You can work by yourself or in a team of up to 4.

You will need to create a tech-for-good idea to solve a real-world problem. Don’t worry – there are lots of supporting resources to help you develop it!

Ask your teacher to register for the competition and kickstart your idea!

I’m a parent, can I enter my child?

Unfortunately, submissions from parents, unless they are home educators, cannot be accepted. All submissions need to come from schools, via a teacher.

You can share details of the competition with your child’s school and ask them to sign up.

I’m a parent and I home school my child, can I enter for them?

Home educators are eligible to enter. You can sign up here.

Please note that school prizes may be substituted for more appropriate prizes for home educators.

How is the competition judged?

Imagine it: Entries will be shortlisted against the judging criteria by a team of social impact experts from Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow programme delivery partner (Hark London).

Make it: Shortlisted entries will be reviewed again by a panel of Samsung experts and an independent judge.

Pitch it: Finalist presentations will be judged at the live event by a panel of Samsung and industry experts.

When will I know if I have got through?

The teacher who submitted the entry will be contacted using the email they registered with.

Imagine it

Winners will be contacted by 05 February 2027

Make it

Winners will be contacted by 26 March 2027

Pitch it

Winners announced live: 29 April 2027 (and published later on the website).

What are the judging criteria?

• Impact: Does the idea solve a real problem (that falls under one of the three themes for this year’s competition: Smarter Sport, Greener Future, Safer Online) and improve someone’s life in a meaningful way? (scored out of 12)
• Use of technology: Does the idea include an innovative technological solution, and is it used effectively to address the problem? (scored out of 12)
• Design process:
  Is there evidence that the Participant has followed a structured approach to developing their idea, appropriate to the stage of the competition? (scored out of 9)
• People and planet: Does the idea consider its impact on the planet and avoid unnecessary harm or waste? Does it consider the audience it is intended for and ensure it is accessible? (scored out of 9)
• Feasibility and thoughtfulness: Is the idea well considered, and could it work in the real world? (scored out of 4)
• Creativity and originality: Is the idea fresh, imaginative and different from typical solutions? (scored out of 4)

At the final, judges can additionally consider:

• Presentation skills: Were the students persuasive and engaging?
• Wow factor: Was the idea exciting or innovative?

What prizes are there?

Imagine it:

The top 24 will win:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab for the teacher
• Galaxy Earbuds for the students
• Mentoring
• £100 per team to spend on their prototype

The school with the most valid entries will win a Samsung Smart TV.

Additionally, a Samsung Smart TV will be awarded via prize draw among all Imagine it entries.

Make it:

The top 9 will win:  

• Additional mentoring  
• An invitation to the Pitch it final  
• Work experience  

Pitch it:

• The top 3 (1 per age group) will win:  

• • A Galaxy Book for the students and teacher
  • Their idea showcased in Piccadilly Circus and other national channels
  • An interactive whiteboard and £2,000 voucher for Samsung tech the school  

• All finalists will also receive a Galaxy Tablet.  

For the full list of prizes, see the terms and conditions.

What if my entry wasn’t selected for the Imagine it stage?

First of all, congratulations on taking part! Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is highly competitive, and every team should be proud of what they’ve achieved. Your teacher will receive a certificate recognising your team’s hard work.  

By taking part, you’ll have developed valuable skills, including design thinking, problem-solving and innovation, which you can add to your CV, personal statement or future applications.

You can also continue your learning through our Power Up resources, which are a great way to explore topics that interest you, build new skills and prepare for next year’s competition.

If I am one of the first 300 to register, when will I receive my free Imagination Toolbox cards/If I am one of the first 300 to re-register, when will I receive my free Ideation Poster?

You will receive the cards or poster by the end of December 2026. A free digital version of the cards is also available on the resources page.

What is a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow School?

A Samsung Solve for Tomorrow School is recognised for strong engagement with the competition. Schools qualify by submitting five or more entries.

They receive:

• the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow School digital badge
• entry into termly prize draws
• access to exclusive Samsung and partner opportunities (e.g., visits, events, research, filming)
• newsletters with updates, resources and opportunities

For full details, see the terms and conditions.

How will I know if our school has qualified to become a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow School?

Schools that have qualified to be Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Schools will be notified via email after the entry submission period closes. All submitting teachers from qualifying schools will be notified.

When do I get the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow School digital badge?

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow schools will receive their digital badge within 30 days of the entry submission period closing.

When are the Prize Draws and how will I know if our school has won?

There will be three Samsung Solve for Tomorrow School prize draws:

• 5 February 2027 
• 20 April 2027 
• 3 September 2027

Winners will be contacted via the email used at entry within 30 days of the prize draw.

For full details, see the terms and conditions.

If more than one teacher has registered, who will the digital badge be sent to?

The digital badge will be provided to all teachers from a qualifying school who have submitted an entry.

How do I get in touch with the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow team?

Please email: samsungsolvefortomorrow@harklondon.com