MINIBOSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (UNITED KINGDOM): UN SDGs GOLD MEDAL WINNERS 2025, Startup World Cup Championship, Maldives

UN SDGs GOLD MEDAL WINNERS 2025

Startup World Cup Championship, 7–15 July 2025, Maldives

In July 2025, under the bright Maldivian sun and surrounded by the vast Indian Ocean, the 25th anniversary Startup World Cup Championship brought together young entrepreneurs from 35 countries. This global celebration of youth entrepreneurship is not only about business success – it is also about responsibility for the planet and humanity.

That is why, in addition to traditional awards, the Championship introduced a special honour: the UN SDGs Gold Medals – distinctions for teams whose projects best contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the spirit of global partnership.

These medals highlight young teams that dared to look beyond profit and asked a deeper question:
“How can our startup improve the world?”

Below are the 2025 UN SDGs Gold Medal Winners – projects that prove: the next generation is ready not only to dream, but also to act.

No Poverty Medal – Business Discoveries (Turkmenistan)

Goal: No Poverty

Business Discoveries from Turkmenistan was honoured for its work on economic inclusion. Their concept focuses on giving young people and low-income families access to entrepreneurial tools, simple financial education and practical opportunities to launch micro-businesses.

Through workshops, digital tools and mentoring, Business Discoveries helps people turn ideas into income, promoting dignity, self-reliance and long-term economic stability.

No Hunger Medal – Danger Escape (South Africa)

Goal: Zero Hunger

The team Danger Escape from South Africa approached the topic of hunger from an unexpected angle – combining safety, logistics and access to food. Their project helps vulnerable communities better navigate crises (natural, social, or economic) and maintain stable access to basic resources, including food.

By raising awareness, building local response systems and supporting community resilience, they are contributing to a world where fewer people are left without a meal in times of danger.

Good Health and Well-Being Medal – Magic Notebook (Slovakia)

Goal: Good Health and Well-Being

The Slovak team Magic Notebook created more than just a product – they created a tool for emotional and mental health. Their “magical” notebook concept helps children and teenagers track their mood, manage stress, and express thoughts in a structured and safe way.

By combining journaling, simple psychology and gamification, Magic Notebook supports mental well-being – an area that has become particularly important in the modern world.

Quality Education Medal – Flash Cards (Turkmenistan)

Goal: Quality Education

Education is the foundation of all sustainable development, and Flash Cards from Turkmenistan was recognised for its innovative approach to learning. Their project turns complex subjects into accessible, visual and interactive flash cards – both physical and digital.

From languages and mathematics to entrepreneurship and financial literacy, Flash Cards makes education more engaging, inclusive and effective for different age groups and backgrounds.

Gender Equality Medal – The African Luxury Experience (South Africa)

Goal: Gender Equality

The African Luxury Experience from South Africa shows that luxury and social justice can go hand in hand. Their project highlights, supports and promotes women-led brands, artisans and creators across Africa, giving them visibility in the premium segment.

By strengthening women’s economic independence and leadership, the team promotes real gender equality in business – not as a slogan, but as a business model.

Clean Water and Sanitation Medal – Super Hero Cards (Azerbaijan)

Goal: Clean Water and Sanitation

The Azerbaijani team Super Hero Cards uses the power of storytelling to address the very real problem of water and hygiene. Their educational card sets present “superheroes of cleanliness” who teach children about safe water use, handwashing and hygiene habits.

This fun and visual format helps change behaviour from an early age, reducing the risk of disease and strengthening community health.

Affordable and Clean Energy Medal – Onecup (Azerbaijan)

Goal: Affordable and Clean Energy

Energy can be simple, practical and sustainable – that is the idea behind Onecup from Azerbaijan. Their project is built around compact, accessible solutions that help families and small businesses use energy more efficiently or access alternative sources.

By making clean energy more affordable and understandable, Onecup contributes to a future where energy is not a luxury, but a basic and sustainable resource for all.

Decent Work and Economic Growth Medal – Parfums Slaaay (Ukraine)

Goal: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Parfums Slaaay from Ukraine is more than just a brand – it is a statement that youth business can be stylish, ethical and growth-oriented. The team built a startup that not only sells a product, but also creates jobs and promotes a culture of quality, responsibility and self-expression.

Their project shows young people that they can build their own economic future with dignity, creativity and respect for others.

Industrialization, Innovation and Infrastructure Medal – Aura Media Group (South Africa)

Goal: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The South African team Aura Media Group works at the intersection of media, technology and infrastructure. Their project helps businesses and communities build modern digital communication platforms, increasing access to information, education and services.

By strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting innovation, Aura Media Group contributes to more inclusive and modern economies.

Reducing Inequality Medal – Wanderlume (Kazakhstan)

Goal: Reduced Inequalities

Wanderlume from Kazakhstan focuses on inclusion and equal opportunities. Their startup helps people from different regions, backgrounds or social groups access educational and cultural experiences that would otherwise be out of reach.

By “illuminating” hidden talents and connecting people beyond borders, Wanderlume works to ensure that birthplace or status does not limit a person’s potential.

Sustainable Cities and Communities Medal – Fluffier (Ukraine)

Goal: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Urban life can be more humane, eco-friendly and comfortable – this is the vision behind Fluffier from Ukraine. Their project brings warmth and care into urban communities, whether through responsible products for pets, public awareness campaigns, or community-building initiatives.

By focusing on empathy and responsibility in everyday urban life, Fluffier supports safer, kinder and more connected cities.

Responsible Consumption and Production Medal – Sitzy (Malaysia)

Goal: Responsible Consumption and Production

The Malaysian startup Sitzy was awarded for promoting smart, responsible use of resources. Their concept encourages people to consume more consciously – whether it’s furniture, interior items, or everyday products – and to choose sustainable, long-lasting and ethical alternatives.

By making responsibility stylish and attractive, Sitzy helps change our relationship with things and waste.

Fighting Climate Change Medal – Brain Games (Turkmenistan)

Goal: Climate Action

Brain Games from Turkmenistan proves that climate education can be engaging and interactive. Their project uses games and intellectual challenges to teach children and teenagers about climate issues, carbon footprint, renewable energy and ecological behaviour.

By turning climate science into a fascinating game, they nurture a generation that understands both the risks and the solutions.

Preservation of Marine Ecosystems Medal – Multimylius (Kazakhstan)

Goal: Life Below Water

Kazakhstan may be a landlocked country, but Multimylius shows that caring for the oceans is everyone’s responsibility. Their project focuses on the global problem of plastic pollution, marine ecosystems and biodiversity, using education, campaigns and creative tools to raise awareness.

They remind us that what we do on land – in any country – eventually affects the seas and oceans of the planet.

Preservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems Medal – Miaumiau Cafe (Ukraine)

Goal: Life on Land

Miaumiau Cafe from Ukraine unites love for animals, social entrepreneurship and environmental awareness. Their concept supports responsible pet adoption, animal care and respect for life in all its forms.

By creating a space where people and animals meet in a caring environment, Miaumiau Cafe teaches kindness and responsibility for those who share our planet.

Peace, Justice and Effective Institutions Medal – Fruberry (Turkmenistan)

Goal: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The Turkmen team Fruberry received recognition for promoting fairness, transparency and ethics in business and community life. Whether through educational initiatives, fair trade principles or community projects, Fruberry demonstrates that true success cannot be built without justice and trust.

Their work supports the idea that strong institutions begin with strong values – even at the level of a youth startup.

Partnership for Sustainable Development Medal – StoryBites (Azerbaijan)

Goal: Partnerships for the Goals

At the heart of the UN SDGs lies the idea of partnership – and StoryBites from Azerbaijan embodies this perfectly. Their project connects people, organisations and ideas across borders through storytelling, joint campaigns and collaborative initiatives.

By helping different actors understand each other and work together, StoryBites becomes a living example of how sustainable development is only possible when we unite.

A Generation That Thinks in SDGs

The UN SDGs Gold Medal Winners 2025 are not just a list of projects – they are a map of global hope. From Turkmenistan to South Africa, from Slovakia to Malaysia, from Ukraine to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, young teams are already weaving sustainable development principles into their business models.

The Startup World Cup Championship 2025 in the Maldives has shown:

Youth understands global problems,
Youth already has concrete solutions,
And youth is ready to take responsibility for the future.

These medals are not the end of the journey, but only the beginning. The world will undoubtedly hear more about Business Discoveries, Danger Escape, Magic Notebook, Flash Cards, The African Luxury Experience, Super Hero Cards, Onecup, Parfums Slaaay, Aura Media Group, Wanderlume, Fluffier, Sitzy, Brain Games, Multimylius, Miaumiau Cafe, Fruberry, and StoryBites. #StartupWorldCupChampionship #MiniBossGlobal