Exploring new possibilities

I am thrilled to be part of an amazing group of talents from around the world — the founding class of UNLEASH. This innovation lab seeks to gather innovative minds in Denmark to co-create and develop solutions to help the world achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We all know this challenge is HUGE — but so are the motivation and dedication this group has shown so far!

A bit more about me: my name is Lucas, I’m 22 years old and I am currently studying Industrial Engineering at the University of Sao Paulo, in Brazil. My current project relates to how impact investors measure and evaluate the social and environmental impact of their investments — a critical factor to the development of this sector worldwide. Impact investors actively seek innovative companies that promote sustainable use of natural resources or target vulnerable people in order to create positive impact beyond financial returns. Social businesses that are able to identify and map their theory of change or impact thesis have a powerful tool to raise investments and scale their solutions to reach more and more people!

I am also part of the Young Global Pioneers network (youglo.org) — an NGO that connects students from all over the world, aiming to shape the next-generation of responsible leaders. During my time in Tanzania last year with students from all over the world, I have experienced the power that an intercultural, truly diverse and ambitious group of people can have on pushing the world into a more sustainable path and making a better future for all of us.

UNLEASH LAB 2017 is the opportunity I have to take a bold and transformative step towards working to help the world achieve the SDGs. Bold because I am still an undergraduate student (I might be among the more junior participants in UNLEASH), yet eager to apply all the knowledge and experiences I have gained so far into co-creating breakthrough solutions to the world’s biggest issues. And transformative because such a mind opening experience will help me gain new insights to address local challenges in Brazil as well as network with a pool of global talents to share ideas and work together. The possibilities are limitless — and this is exciting!