Future17 SDG Challenge × ASU × Responsible Innovation Lab
Real students. Global partners. SDG projects. Tangible impact.
What is Future17 and how does it relate to the SDGs?
Future17 is a cross-university innovation program addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through real-world, student-driven projects. Partners include Arizona State University, the University of Exeter, Tec de Monterrey, and Stellenbosch University. Interdisciplinary teams work with global organizations seeking creative, research-driven solutions to urgent challenges.
Through Future17, students don’t just study global issues — they co-design solutions and lead change.
ASU × RIL: Our Role
The Responsible Innovation Lab served as a creative hub and mentoring force across multiple cohorts, under the leadership of Chris Deaton. Teams tackled climate finance, wildfire resilience, citizen science, public transport, and trend-mapping chatbots — all grounded in the INNOVATE framework and the Responsible Innovation Lab Charter.
The INNOVATE Framework in Action
Future17 projects are designed using our INNOVATE model to ensure solutions are:
- I — Inclusive
- N — Next-Gen Thinking
- N — Nimble & Scalable
- O — Open to Change
- V — Visionary Leadership
- A — Accountable
- T — Tailored
- E — Ethical
- S — Sustainable
Featured Future17 Projects (Spring 2025)
Recent projects mentored by RIL, highlighting individual brilliance and team collaboration.
Mapping Emerging Climate Tech Solutions
Students: Emily Paget, Kennedy Gourdine
Partner: Mercy Corps Ventures
Focus: Trend analysis across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia
- Trend-mapping dashboard
- Expanded functionality of the Maya Campos chatbot
- Climate sector strategy reports
INNOVATE Highlights: Inclusivity, Sustainable Impact, Next-Gen Thinking
Financing the Future of Resilience
Students: Nick Paulding, Mauricio Juarez
Partner: Mercy Corps Ventures
Focus: Mapping climate finance opportunities in emerging markets
- Enhanced Maya Campos chatbot
- Ecosystem assessment for climate investments
- Investor alignment framework
INNOVATE Highlights: Value-Driven, Transparent, Accountable
From Sparks to Solutions: Wildfire Innovation Readiness
Students: Brittany Jackson, Thomas Hancock-Bacon, Matthew Agustin
Partner: CrowdDoing / CWPC
Focus: Wildfire prevention via values-aligned sponsorship systems
- Sponsor Scout & Innovation Compass chatbots
- Stakeholder mapping & outreach toolkits
- Regional resilience planning tools
INNOVATE Highlights: Inclusive Design, Next-Gen Thinking, Value-Driven Purpose
Snap. Share. Save.
Student: Neha Dhanekula Partner: Emirates Nature-WWF Focus: Mobilizing citizen scientists to document biodiversity in the UAE
- UAE biodiversity participation analysis
- Bioblitz campaign strategy
- Urban biodiversity data integration
INNOVATE Highlights: Ethical Responsibility, Openness to Change, Inclusivity
Youth & Sustainable Transport in Tempe
Student: Thaivu Chantarakulawong Partner: Responsible Innovation Lab Focus: Making public transit more youth-friendly, equitable, and sustainable
- Community engagement strategy
- Policy recommendations
- Inclusive design feedback
INNOVATE Highlights: Human-Centered Design, Nimbleness, Long-Term Impact
Featured Innovation: The Maya Campos Chatbot
Multiple teams collaborated to expand
Maya Campos, a custom GPT that:
- Identifies emerging climate solutions
- Matches investors to values-aligned sectors
- Supports ethical decisions using Responsible Innovation principles
What began as a prototype evolved via refined prompts, broader sector recognition, and deployments in climate tech and sponsorship outreach contexts.
Cohort Showcase (2022–2024)
Selected projects from earlier cohorts that informed our current approach.
Enhancing the Poverty Stoplight Program with AI
Neha Dhanekula — Fundación Paraguaya SDGs: 1 (No Poverty), 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
ESG Automation with Briink AI
Thaivu Chantarakulawong — Briink SDGs: 12, 13, 16
Rebuilding Sweco’s Sustainability Scoring Tool
Thaivu Chantarakulawong — Sweco SDGs: 11, 13
Reducing Food Waste through AI with Sysco
Caleb Lieberman — Sysco SDGs: 2, 9, 12
Could INNOVATE Replace B Corp?
Mark Hopkins & Jadyn Ocampo SDGs: 9, 16, 17
Climate Tech Landscape Mapping
Kennedy Gourdine — Mercy Corps Ventures SDGs: 7, 13, 17
Explore More
Organizations, frameworks, and tools that shaped these projects — and may shape your next step.
The Future Is Built by Students
Two years. Four semesters. 20+ students. Countless hours of research, testing, storytelling, collaboration, and principled problem-solving. Welcome to our unified showcase — and to a future designed responsibly.