Stagwell’s emerging tech agency Left Field Labs has powered first-to-market AI and emerging tech products for Google, Meta, Qualcomm, Amazon, and other big tech companies for over 17 years. Now it’s putting that capability toward purpose-driven work. 

The agency has launched Build What's Next, a pro-bono program calling on “changemakers” across the U.S. to propose "unsolvable" problems—one of which the agency will select and put its talents to work to solve.  

The firm is now accepting applications for big ideas in need of creative tech to implement. The agency will then put its skills to work for the winning submission to bring the idea to life. “Four weeks of dedicated collaboration with Left Field Labs’ team to create a vision and strategic framework to solve [the] problem, no cost,” according to the agency. 

“Think moonshot,” the agency encourages those thinking about applying. “Urgent, life-changing, community-lifting, or industry-shaking stuff. Something that’s worth a damn.” 

For Sarah Mehler, Founder and CEO, the effort is about moving beyond the race for efficiencies to help brands solve bigger problems. "If all we do with AI is make current systems run leaner, we will have missed the moment,” she says. “The surplus of time and capability AI creates should be channeled into solving bigger problems — those unsolved, urgent challenges that define our collective future."  

“We want to hear from organizations with challenges that matter,” Mehler adds. “Challenges that if solved could create lasting impact for communities, industries, and the planet.” 

Submissions are open now through Nov. 13.