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Future Finder Challenge Winners Announced

The U.S. Department of Education has announced Gladeo as the grand-prize winner and Workbay as the runner-up of the $1 million Future Finder Challenge to reimagine career navigation for adult learners. Gladeo will receive an additional $500,000 and Workbay an additional $250,000 to support the continued development and deployment of their digital career navigation tools. The challenge supports the Secretary’s Raise the Bar: Lead the World initiative in offering more pathways to success and fulfilling the promise of education as a bridge for all learners to reach their full potential.

Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, named the challenge winners in a video announcement.

“By centering the experience and unique needs of adult learners, the Future Finder Challenge has accelerated the development and deployment of urgently needed solutions to build a more equitable future,” said Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. “Gladeo’s and Workbay’s digital tools represent the forefront of technology innovation in adult education, and I’m thrilled that the adult learners we serve will benefit from their use as they build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.” 

The Department launched the Future Finder Challenge in September 2022, inviting innovators to submit prototypes for digital career navigation tools that will help adult learners understand, choose, and prepare for career opportunities. Through the challenge, the Department is working to provide adult learners with access to the same caliber of career navigation support as other job seekers. That access will allow learners to take full advantage of the high-paying jobs being made available through the CHIPS and Science Act, the bipartisan Investing in Infrastructure Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The Future Finder Challenge will support the winning teams throughout the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. 

Learn more about the winning teams and subscribe to the challenge newsletter for updates as the teams deploy their solutions.