ANNOUNCE: Global Social Venture Competition

[entrepreneurship-phd at lists.uni-due.de]

Global Social Venture Competition
Call for Entrants: 2007 Competition

The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is seeking promising social
entrepreneurs to enter its 2007 Competition. If you are an entrepreneur
(or budding entrepreneur!) with a financially sustainable venture that
addresses a social or environmental problem, we encourage you to apply.
Winning plans in the past have ranged from global health to
microfinance, from cleantech to education, from fair trade to community
development, from business concepts to operating companies, and have
included for-profit and non-profit models.

* Executive Summaries are due January 17, 2007
* Full Business Plans are due March 2007*

What is GSVC?

GSVC is the largest and oldest student-led business plan competition
providing mentoring, exposure, and prizes for social ventures from
around the world. GSVC's mission is to catalyze the creation of social
ventures, educate future leaders, and build awareness for social
enterprises. The competition supports the creation of real businesses
that bring about positive social change.

GSVC is organized by the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley in
partnership with the Columbia Business School, London Business School,
Indian School of Business, Yale School of Management, International
University in Geneva, and a consortium of business schools in Korea.
Every year, teams compete for more than $45,000 in cash and travel
prizes, while gaining valuable feedback on their ventures.

Visit the Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) Website
What has GSVC achieved?

Since its inception in 1999, GSVC has awarded more than a quarter of a
million dollars to emerging social ventures and has introduced
early-stage social venture entrepreneurs to the investment community.
Nearly 25% of past GSVC entrants are now operating companies.
How can I get involved?

1. Compete as an Entrant. If you have an idea for a social venture, or
have an operating social venture, we encourage you to apply. Individuals
or teams of any size from any country are eligible to compete in GSVC.

If you are looking to connect with a social venture or MBA student,
visit the GSVC blog at: http: //globalsocialventure.blogspot.com.

Requirements: Every team must include at least one member who is a
current student in ANY graduate business program or who has graduated
from any graduate business program within the past 24 months. Operating
companies are welcome to enter, though they must be less than 3 years
old (as measured by first revenue or first patent issued). Plan can be
for a for-profit or non-profit as long as either can be financially
self-sustaining at scale.

o Every team must include at least one member who is a current student
in ANY graduate business program or who has graduated from any graduate
business program within the past 24 months.

o Operating companies are welcome to enter, though they must be less
than 3 years old (as measured by first revenue or first patent issued).

o Plan can be for a for-profit or non-profit as long as either can be
financially self-sustaining at scale.

2. Judge, Mentor, or Sponsor. GSVC exposes entrepreneurs, investors,
managers, and executives to the most promising new social ventures.
Share your expertise by providing invaluable support as a volunteer
mentor or judge. Sponsorships ensure that GSVC can continue to reward
new ventures that integrate monetary and social benefit year after year.

Key Dates

* January 2007 - Executive Summary Due*
* March 2007 - Final Business Plans Due*
* April 13, 2007 - Global Finals at Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
* April 14, 2007 - GSVC Social Impact Symposium

* Dates may vary by region

Contact:

email: gsvc at haas.berkeley.edu

More info at www.socialvc.net