He was on his way to crossing the boundary of space and reaching the Moon. Now, he helps young people look beyond the borders of their own region and their own doubts. Through the Moonshot Platform project, choreographer and actor Yemi A.D. connects people aged 15 to 30 who are eager to drive things forward with mentors, investors - and with one another.
The Liberec region is home to a number of successful companies, schools, and research institutions whose work has an impact both in Czechia and abroad. Yet at the beginning of stories like these are not brands, but young individuals with a vision. It was for them that the Moonshot Platform holistic accelerator was created.
It offers a two-year journey of mentoring and personal development, as well as access to grants, investments, and scholarship support. The programme aims to reduce the barriers faced by students and people at the beginning of their careers.
The programme also includes the week-long Moonshot Camp, which brings together a selected group of participants every summer. They work in teams, meet professionals from different countries and fields, and learn how to talk about their ideas, how to take them further, and what role they themselves can play in bringing them to life.
“If you work with young talent, it is not enough to support individuals. It is equally important to connect young people with one another and show them that they are not alone in their ambitions and doubts,” says Adam Soltan from the Agentura regionálního rozvoje (ARR), who took part in this year’s camp as a class coordinator.
“Young people often lack the confidence and sense that their ideas can have a real impact. Many grow up in environments where they are told that changing society or the world is unrealistic, naive, or even impossible,” he adds.
First the person, then the project
A traditional incubation programme asks how to improve a particular project. Moonshot Platform takes a step back and asks who is behind the idea and what they need to turn it into reality and develop it further. That is why participants are called Young Leaders.
The term also reflects the journey through which a young person can grow into a leader in politics, the social sector, business, or another field. What they have in common is a desire to address societal challenges.
“Sometimes, knowing that just one person believes in your idea can give you the motivation to keep going. But I think it is even more important when someone believes not only in your particular idea, but in you as a person,” explains Soltan, describing the philosophy behind Moonshot Platform.
In the programme, young people stand alongside mentors, not beneath them. Mentors bring experience, contacts, and perspective, while Young Leaders bring their own topics, energy, and understanding of a rapidly changing world. Through this mutual interaction, both sides grow – and sometimes participants return several years later as Young Mentors.
The Liberec Connection
Shortly before the camp itself, the MoonshotX conference took place as part of the AniFilm film festival. Young innovators from around the world presented projects such as the AI-powered CarbonTrac initiative for more sustainable shopping and an initiative focused on prison reform. Yemi A.D., who is behind the entire project, gave the event a personal touch.
Adam Soltan explains the agency’s role in the project: “As a partner organisation, we are happy to explain to those interested how Moonshot Platform works, what programmes it offers, and how they can join its community. We can also advise them on how to prepare their application and, if necessary, direct them to the right contacts - for example, at the Liberec Region level.”
“It can make you think: ‘I’m not crazy or naive. There are other people who think about things in a similar way to me,’” Soltan concludes.
