San Francisco, February 16, 2017 – Singularity University (SU), a global community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and build an abundant future for all, has announced a SingularityU San Francisco Global Impact Challenge (GIC) to find innovative solutions to the critical issue of climate change. The San Francisco-based GIC is one of nearly 20 being offered by SU worldwide in 2017.“The objective of a Global Impact Challenge is to spur moonshot ideas to solve the world’s greatest challenges,” said Regina Njima, senior manager of Global Impact Challenges at SU. “Since 2010, SU has hosted 94 Global Impact Challenges in 38 countries worldwide, awarding 121 winners.”While the San Francisco GIC is focused on climate change and myriad related issues, applications will be accepted with innovative proposals to solve grand challenges in various other areas, including energy, environment, food, shelter, space, water, disaster resilience, governance, health, learning, prosperity, and security.“We are incredibly excited to launch a Global Impact Challenge right in the heart of Silicon Valley,” remarked Pascal Finette, Vice President, Startup Solutions at Singularity University. “Climate change is a broad focus area - ripe for innovation, whether that’s sustainable food sources or alternative energy, developing governance models for policy, biodiversity or water access. We welcome all ideas.”The SingularityU San Francisco GIC is open to all residents and citizens of the United States. Applications must be received by March 31. Finalists will be invited to pitch their moonshot ideas at Singularity University on April 14 to a panel of judges, consisting of representatives from Singularity University and senior representatives of the entrepreneur, business and innovation communities.The winner of this challenge will be rewarded with an invitation to attend the prestigious Global Solutions Program at Singularity University, June 17 to August 17, 2017. During the 9-week program and subsequent incubator program, participants develop their innovative project, supported by the alumni network and mentors of Singularity University. Finalists in the competition also benefit by gaining access to a cadre of mentors and coaches who can assist them in the startup phase of their projects.Inna Semenyuk, Head of SingularityU San Francisco Chapter and GIC Organizer in San Francisco said: “With our mission to connect exponential thinkers in San Francisco and the Bay Area, we are honored to launch a Global Impact Challenge in the United States with the final pitch event at Singularity University in Mountain View. The Challenge creates limitless opportunities for those who have an innovative solution addressing the broad range of climate change issues and we encourage everyone who wants to make a positive impact on the lives of billions of people to apply.”ABOUT SINGULARITY UNIVERSITYSingularity University (“SU”) is a global learning and innovation community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and build an abundant future for all. Our collaborative platform empowers individuals and organizations to learn, connect, and innovate breakthrough solutions using accelerating technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital biology. Our offerings include educational programs, conferences, innovation workshops, corporate and startup accelerators, social impact programs, and online news and content.Our global community spans more than 110 countries and includes entrepreneurs, corporations, development organizations, governments, investors, and academic institutions. With over 370 impact initiatives, the SU community is driving positive change in the areas of health, environment, security, education, energy, food, prosperity, water, space, disaster resilience, shelter, and governance.A certified benefit corporation, SU was founded in 2008 by renowned innovators Ray Kurzweil and Peter H. Diamandis and is partnered with leading organizations such as Google, Deloitte, Genentech, and UNICEF. SU is headquartered at NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley. To learn more, visit SU.org, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @SingularityU.For more information:SingularityU SF GIC Challenge:https://su.org/gic/2017/sf/Singularity University: su.orgPRESS CONTACTSSingularity University Diane Murphy, diane.murphy@su.orgSingularityU San Francisco Chapter Inna Semenyuk, +1 650 272 1335