One Bold Idea – Meet the Winners of Our May Essay Contest

Every month, the Swiss Venture Girls essay competition invites young women around the world to put pen to paper and lead with thought. In May, our theme was “The Power of One Bold Idea”—a celebration of imagination, initiative, and the courage to dream beyond the obvious.

We received entries from across the globe — each of them a reminder that powerful ideas know no borders. Today, we’re proud to introduce the three winners who moved us most with their originality, clarity, and purpose.

Their pieces are presented on our website under “Competitions”.

1st Place: Navya Kedia

Hong Kong Island

Navya, 15 years old and based in Hong Kong, impressed us with her essay on fighting pollution through entrepreneurship. Her writing highlighted the urgent need for environmental accountability and showcased a compelling vision for a greener, more thoughtful world.

2nd Place: Sofia Dantas

Brazil, Paraná/Curitiba

Representing Brazil, Sofia explored youth leadership and mental health. Drawing from her experience in school and youth organizations, she wrote a powerful essay advocating for a future where teens are equipped and empowered to create real change.

3rd Place: Juri Sasaki

Japan, Tokyo

A surfer from Tokyo, Juri’s essay introduced her startup idea HydroSpec—sustainable eyewear designed for ocean lovers. Combining innovation, purpose, and personal experience, her writing tackled themes of ocean safety and awareness with fresh insight.

Congratulations to our winners — their essays are a reminder that perspective, when shared with intention, creates real impact.

Why you should participate too

Because bold ideas need space to grow—and to be heard.

An idea starts to matter when you put it into words. That’s how it takes shape, how it reaches others, how it begins to create change. Writing it down is the first step toward action.

So don’t wait. The June contest is open now.