Do you have a passion to solve a problem?
Have you been dreaming about starting a business or non-profit?
The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is pleased to be hosting the 8th Annual Social Venture Challenge this spring! Entrepreneurial spirited teams will work for the next few months on problems they want to see solved, services they wish existed, or products they are passionate about sharing with the world. Along the way, they will receive coaching and mentorship through workshops with CEL. In April, a panel of judges from around the country will award $10,000 divided among the top student venture teams to accelerate their efforts to launch their businesses and nonprofits. 6 teams. 6 pitches. $10,000.
2021 TEAMS
2020 SVC WINNERS
Watch their pitches to spark new ideas and see how it's done!
HOW IT WORKS
Over the next 3 months, teams will be mentored through a series of workshops to prepare them to pitch their final ventures before a panel of judges. Workshops will consist of guest speakers, lectures, hands-on activities, discussions, experiments, planning, and practice. Workshops are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged.
No college credit will be offered this semester, but 6 full workshops are scheduled to prepare you to pitch in the final competition and win prize money for your business or nonprofit venture.
SCHEDULE
WEEK 2: Customer Discovery and Market Research
WEEK 3: Testing Lean/MVP/Revenue Streams and Cost Structure
WEEK 4: Review and Refinement with Mentors
WEEK 5: Storytelling, Branding, and Marketing
WEEK 6: Review and Refinement with Mentors
SVC GUIDELINES (PDF) ➔
FAQS
"I don't have a team or an idea. Can I still be part of SVC?"
Yes! You can sign up as a free agent and we'll be in touch about joining another team. Your skills are extremely valuable and we are excited to have you!
"How many people do you need for a team?"
There is no minimum or maximum number for a team, but we recommend 2-4 people for good collaboration and management of the work.
"When is the deadline to register?"
February 5th is the deadline to register for SVC 2021. Email cel@gordon.edu for questions or concerns.
"How much money can I win?"
At the final pitch, CEL and the judges split $10,000 between the top 3 teams. 1st place wins $5,000. 2nd place wins $3,000. 3rd place wins $2,000.
"Will the workshops and events be in-person or virtual?"
Everything will be COVID safe and abiding by Gordon's safety protocols. Consequently, SVC 2021 will be a hybrid model of in-person and virtual events which we will communicate clearly.
Got more questions?
We're here to answer them for you! Stop by our office in Jenks or email us at cel@gordon.edu.
Gordon College, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984
978 927 2300 | admissions@gordon.edu | info@gordon.edu
Gordon College is one of the nation's premier Christian colleges and located just north of Boston. We offer students extraordinary access to leading-edge opportunities for intellectual, professional, and leadership development to address the increasingly complex challenges of a global society. Gordon stands apart from other outstanding institutions in New England by combining an exceptional education with an informed Christian faith.
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