Phase 1 concept papers are due by 4:59 p.m. EDT on July 8 — and Mission Daybreak has curated resources to help innovators get started. The challenge encourages interested solvers to review the collection, which includes open data, surveys, reports on Veteran welfare and suicide prevention, and recordings of the challenge webinars.
Suicide prevention is a complex problem, with a multitude of risk and protective factors that affect every individual differently — and the unique nature of the Veteran experience can often make Veterans particularly vulnerable. Mission Daybreak designed the challenge resources to help innovators develop a broad range of solutions across the challenge focus areas:
- Utilizing digital footprint data from active and passive sources.
- Creating improved access to and efficiency of Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) services through technological innovations.
- Preventing firearm suicides and enhancing lethal means safety.
- Reaching all Veterans in need with right-care, right-time, and right-place solutions.
- Improving community resilience and connection.
- Incorporating family and community into Veteran well-being.
- Supporting the transition from military service to civilian life.
- Addressing social determinants of health and wellbeing.
- Reducing barriers to asking for help.
- Other innovative solutions, focused on areas not specified above.
Some innovators will have market-ready solutions, while others will have early concepts — in Phase 1, the quality of the idea and potential for viability is more critical than present-day maturity. Multidisciplinary panels of reviewers and judges will assess submissions according to evaluation criteria. Phase 1 will award $8.5 million in prizes.
Discover opportunities to collaborate: Join the solver community
Significantly reducing Veteran suicides will require a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach. Mission Daybreak strongly encourages prospective solvers and interested stakeholders to join the solver community and explore collaborating with fellow innovators on creating the best solutions possible. The solver community database will be updated and shared on a regular basis throughout the challenge.
Looking ahead: What’s next in $11.5 million Phase 2
30 finalists will be selected to join a virtual accelerator program. Designed to help finalists further develop their concepts, the eight-week accelerator will provide access to exclusive data sets, networking, and mentorship with support from partners. In November 2022, finalists will present their solutions to key stakeholders, investors, and partners at Demo Day, a live pitch event.
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