Technovation Challenge Wins #RevUp2050 Presented By NBCUniversal And The Feast

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NBCUniversal and The Feast, an organization that gives voice to socially innovative groups, today announced the winner in their annual Rev Up Change challenge, #RevUp2050. The #RevUp2050 competition gives social entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their business plans and ideas on a national stage at The Feast Conference (October 16-18, 2013 in New York City). Given the potential national impact of its initiative, Mountain View, CA-based Technovation Challenge has been chosen the winner in this year's #RevUp2050 competition. Technovation Challenge equips young women to excel in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math holding the world's largest and longest-running tech competition for middle and high school girls. Through #RevUp2050, Technovation Challenge has been given the opportunity to participate in The Feast Conference and inspire attendees to action in order to promote the next generation of female entrepreneurship in the global marketplace.

"We are ecstatic. We are beyond excited," said Deborah Berebichez, a global ambassador for Technovation Challenge. "Because we want to make this a global movement and we don't have access to mentors, resources, as well as funding opportunities in other countries, we would love people to step up. Our dream is to make this a movement where women can become scientists and entrepreneurs."

Technovation Challenge is a bi-annual, global competition for girls to create innovative mobile applications fostering social impact in their local communities.  Each spring, Technovation's regional finalists come together to compete for a $10,000 cash prize in funding for the winning application.

"We are in a unique position to inform and engage the public around social issues," said Jessica Clancy, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal. "Innovation is key in finding solutions to today's societal challenges and the Rev Up Challenge allows us to highlight these entrepreneurs and their bold initiatives."

Every year, the Rev Up Change challenge engages and gives voice to the social innovators around the globe challenging them to solve real-life, social issues their local communities face. For #RevUp2050, the winning organization was chosen through a final voting round hosted by msnbc.com. NBCUniversal along with MSNBC, a brand which "defines news for the next generation," together are focused on bringing innovative and scalable solutions to the forefront of a national discussion.

"It's been incredible to champion the beginnings of this evolutionary step with NBCUniversal," said Jerri Chou, Director and Founder, The Feast. "Together, we are sharing stories from innovators with audiences around the world. It's a great part of making the kind of future we want to see possible."

Additionally, the four runner-up organizations also will receive entry to the conference, including the following:

• Borne Digital develops digital books that adapt to a child's reading ability and provide personalized support to read and learn together.
• Given Goods Co. is an online marketplace that aims to attract conscious-consumers by selling products that give back to society.
• Together with school partners, No Right Brain Left Behind transforms un-used school libraries into innovation spaces within schools to enhance creativity, academic results, and community in, and around, the schools.
• Sucre Blue is dedicated to providing access and affordability to chronic disease treatment around the globe, lowering the impact of chronic diseases on medical infrastructure through improvements in prevention, detection and treatment of NCDs (non-communicable diseases).

To learn more about Technovation Challenge please visit feastongood.msnbc.com.

About NBCUniversal 
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

About The Feast 
Since 2008, The Feast has worked to foster a community of innovators who are revolutionizing their industries while making a significant social impact. The Feast's annual conference, held in New York City, features unique perspectives and tackles today's greatest societal challenges - while serving as a springboard for groundbreaking projects and year-round initiatives. In 2012, The Feast expanded internationally with the launch of The Feast Worldwide, an independently organized series of dinner parties that runs in parallel with the flagship conference, giving passionate people around the globe a chance to engage their local communities in collective action. For more information about The Feast, visit www.feastongood.com. To livestream The Feast 2014, visit worldwide.feast.com.

SOURCE NBCUniversal