WSA

One opportunity can change the future of a venture. In 2024, Oscar Morales Cuellar won the WSA with Tecsify and showcased his digital impact innovation at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad. What followed were new connections, international visibility, and opportunities that reached far beyond Guatemala. 💡 Your solution could be next. If you built digital innovation with a positive impact, or you know a founder whose work deserves global recognition, apply for WSA 2026 or encourage them to take the leap. Shoutout to Maria Zaghi for the great work in Guatemala. 👉 https://lnkd.in/du-QsPsr

"WSA was one of the first global networks that helped Livox move from being a Brazilian innovation to becoming an international solution." Carlos Pereira, CEO of Livox & WSA Winner 2014 WSA opens doors. And networks. Globally. Carlos built a communication tool for people with disabilities in Brazil. WSA connected him to the world and Livox is now used by families and institutions across the world. You developed a digital impact solution that world should know about? 🌍 Apply now for the WSA Global Call 2026 and represent your country. 📅 Deadline: October 15 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eeKrUAcd #WSA2026 #DigitalInnovation #SDGs #TechForGood

And that’s a wrap! The WSA Global Congress in Vienna has come to an end, hopefully leaving many bright minds inspired and energized for the projects and ideas that will continue shaping the digital world of today and tomorrow.   First and foremost, thank you to everyone who was part of this event, coming from 73 countries and 6 continents! The winners stood out not only for their innovation, but also for the inspiring pitches they delivered on stage.    To all the National Experts, Jurors, Youth Ambassadors, and members of the community: thank you for continuously choosing to be part of this network and for creating a genuine sense of family and belonging. You make WSA what it is. <3   Over the past few days, we discussed important topics such as digital accessibility, digital sovereignty, sustainability, scaling impact, and building meaningful innovation. What comes next? The Congress brought you together, now it’s on you to make the most of it (the WSA Summit app is there to help! 😉). Use this knowledge and these connections: collaborate, exchange ideas, and support one another!   This Gala will definitely be one to look back on, and hopefully, the winners will occasionally shake their snow globe trophies and think of Vienna with a smile. ❄️   And of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the City of Vienna, ViennaBusiness, Erste Bank und Sparkasse, Austria Wirtschaftsservice, and all partners and organizers who helped bring the Congress to life.   Until next time! 💗 Photo credit: Kirill Lialin / Deni Sagaev #digitalimpact #sdgs #globalcongress #viennaaustria

Thank you to the City of Vienna and Vice Mayor Barbara Novak, MA for hosting the WSA in Vienna and for sharing the concept of Digital Humanism! At the conference opening, we also heard from the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies and UNIDO about the relevance of initiatives like WSA for the Agenda 2030 goals. More than anything, Day 1 of the WSA Global Congress served as a reminder of why connection and the exchange of ideas need to happen. A cliché saying, but nevertheless true. Digital sovereignty, digital divides, AI, capital, and purpose may sound like a chaotic mix of topics, but at the core, the message is simple: building network capital upon a safe digital space created with purpose. So don’t miss today’s agenda as we dive even deeper into these topics, hear stories from some of the founders and proud members of the community, and most importantly, support the winners as they present their solutions. Additionally, it’s wonderful to have partners such as Wirtschaftsagentur Wien helping keep everything top-notch! So, let's enjoy Day 3! #ViennaUp #StadtWien #globalnetwork #digitalimpact #community

Who are the people behind the WSA winning solutions?   Curious to discover how The Museum of Abandonment preserves overlooked histories through AR and VR? Discover how Journe Srilanka connects tourism with real community impact in Sri Lanka. Wondering how Recycle Ledger uses blockchain to track sustainable biofuel production? See how Hadi İşaret is making sign language learning more accessible, ImpulsoGov is transforming preventive healthcare through smart insights, and Youth4Jobs Foundation is creating more inclusive opportunities with AI.   And this is only a glimpse! Get your tickets and join the Global Congress in Vienna, May 19–22!   The community is waiting for you. https://lnkd.in/eAri_74C

Excited to see two inspiring communities and events happening so close to each other in Vienna. ✨   You definitely won’t be disappointed by the ideas and inspiration shared by some of the world’s most innovative minds, many of them also proud members of the WSA network Sachi Wickramage, Gloria Mangi, Ryan Gersava, Luísa Franco Machado… not that we’re bragging 👀.   If you’d like a special discount code, make sure to DM us! 🎟️   #tedx #ted #globalcongress #vienna

What happens when a network of startups, social entrepreneurs, experts, government leaders, academia, and civil society comes together? The WSA Global Congress is more than a conference. Yes, you’ll get to exchange business cards, claim your free tote bag, and small talk on coffee breaks, but you’ll also get to… ➡️ meet people from every corner of the world and make life-long connections. ➡️ discover real, working digital solutions tackling global challenges. ➡️ join a community that shares your mission and drive for impact. ➡️ join some of the most important conversations of our time on… ✨ Digital Sovereignty vs. AI Who really controls the systems shaping our lives and what changes when communities take back ownership? ✨ Global Impact Solutions How do we redesign funding and support systems so impact-driven startups solving real community needs can thrive? ✨ Building Digital Public Goods How do we create digital systems that include everyone, not just the already connected?   Come join the Global Congress, and see it for yourself! Tickets available at the link below: https://lnkd.in/d2bDmEjk

Some things take time. And that makes them even more meaningful. 💙 For years, WSA has been part of the Vienna Up up by organizing side events, suggesting community members for panels and attending events. This year, something bigger is happening. The WSA Global Congress 2026 is coming to Vienna as part of ViennaUP. And at the heart of it all: the community. Vienna has always been a social city. A UN HQ city. A city that puts its citizens first in its digital agenda. Which is exactly what WSA has stood for since 2003, when it was founded here as an Austrian membership initiative for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Coming back feels like coming home. And as always, it's about meaningful connections. WSA community members will be joining conversations across the full ViennaUP week: speaking at Impact Days, at Female Founders, and at the coffeehouse talks organized by ViennaBusiness. Because that's what ViennaUp is all about, opening doors, connecting people, learning from each other, creating opportunities. And WSA returns by making ViennaUP truly global, by welcoming the WSA community from around the world to Vienna. Thank you to Barbara Novak, MA for the invitation that made this dream a reality, and to Gabriele Tatzberger and the entire #ViennaUP team for building a week where communities like WSA feel at home.

Catalyst Now – Catalyst Academy Applications Now Open! ✨ We’re inviting organisations to nominate, refer, and encourage young changemakers from your networks to apply for the next Catalyst Academy cohort. A youth social innovation learning programme delivered in partnership with the One Family Foundation and supported by the Mastercard Foundation. This programme supports youth (18–35) across Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa & Cameroon with: 🟠 Mentorship 🟠 Peer learning 🟠 Digital tools & resources 🟠 Cross-border learning We especially encourage applications from young women, people living with disabilities, and displaced youth. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/erMs9f-G Deadline: 20th April 2026 Share this opportunity and support your members to grow, while gaining visibility, recognition, and priority access for your community. #CatalystNow #YouthOpportunities #CatalystYouthGlobal #CatalsytAcademy

The WSA Global Congress is a rich opportunity that can, and often does, change the trajectory of your career. But how can you make most of it? A few veteran attendees offer some helpful advice.  You can learn more about the WSA Global Congress in the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eAri_74C