Collaborate Sprint Tackles Inclusion Challenge: Engaging 1M Young People

A group of students sat round a table talking with Future Space banners in the background.

At the end of September, 31 incoming MSc students participated in the first-ever Collaborate Sprint event, organised by the Future Space team at Loughborough University London. This dynamic and intensive event focused on the theme of inclusion, allowing students to engage deeply with real-world challenges and apply their skills in an impactful way.

The sprint challenge was set up by James Hopper, co-founder of the Include Summit, and supported by the Babu team, including Kevin Badu, Naomi Donkor, and Taliyah DeFreitas-Smith, who provided valuable insights and mentorship throughout the process. The challenge brief encouraged students to think critically about how to create inclusive environments and engage diverse communities – exploring the challenge: ‘How do we get 1M more underprivileged and underrepresented young people taking part in sport?’

The sprint followed a structured process that included an initial briefing, team-building activities, hacking a problem, and a final pitching competition. Students worked in small teams to develop creative solutions to complex challenges, fostering collaboration, innovation, and real-world problem-solving skills. The winning team stood out by presenting a unique concept aimed at engaging South Asian children through pickleball, a fast-growing sport that promotes inclusion and community building. Congratulations to the winning team members: Khushi Deshmukh, Nadir Ahmed, Tram Ly, Pratul Pant, Rohini Muralidharan, and Shanila Thirimanne who impressed the judges with their creativity and thoughtful approach.

Collaborate Sprint provided an excellent opportunity for students to build strong networks and apply their learning in a supportive environment. It also highlighted Future Space’s commitment to fostering innovation and inclusivity across the university community.

Learn more about upcoming sprints and other programmes offered by Future Space on Handshake.