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SDSU Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge

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RSVP to watch the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge finalists compete to win $10,000!
 

Date: April 26, 2023
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: SDSU Student Union Theater

Custom treat from ZIP Launchpad for the first 100 attendees to check-in at the event!

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What is the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge?

  • On campus pitch competition 
  • For SDSU undergraduate and graduate students who have a passion for solving a problem that creates a positive social impact
  • $10,000 grand prize
  • Application closes February 4, 2023

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The goal of the Challenge is to inspire students campus wide to ideate solutions to the world’s biggest problems, from health and poverty to the environment, education and more. Not to mention, the finalist will receive $10k to go towards their social venture!

 

Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge Presentation

Spring 2023 Sample Application

 

How Do I Apply? 

  1. Create a profile in F6s.
  2. Answer application questions regarding the problem you want to address, how the problem is currently solved today, and the potential measurable impact of solving the problem.

Apply

 

We're Here to Help With Your Application!

Have questions about the challenge? Email [email protected].

Don't know where to start? Check out the sample application!

 

Need help with your application or want some feedback before submitting? Schedule a meeting with a ZIP Launchpad staff member to get all of your questions answered.

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Application Overview

 

Prizes

First place winners will receive $10,000 ($5,000 upon winning the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge, $5,000 after completing the ZIP Launchpad’s Etrack).

 

What are the requirements to participate?

  • Be an undergraduate or graduate student at SDSU with at least one member graduating Fall 2023 or later
  • Have two team members prepared to pitch and up to three additional team members to help you along the way (teams are limited to a maximum of five members)
  • All majors are welcome!

 

Why Apply?

  • Experience the social entrepreneurship process first hand
  • Make an impact through your world changing business idea
  • Develop invaluable skills in presenting and communicating
  • Gain resume worthy experience for your future career search
  • Win $10,000 in cash for your social venture

 

Application FAQ

The Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge offers students the opportunity to experience the social entrepreneurship process first hand as they compete with an idea that has the power to change the world. Teams will begin the process of launching their startup as they apply, prepare a pitch deck, utilize resources offered, etc. The first place team will have access to additional support in this process as they will be automatically accepted into the ZIP Launchpad, SDSU’s startup incubator. Not to mention, the competition’s winner will receive $10,000 in cash!

A social venture is an entrepreneurial approach to addressing and positively impacting social and/or environmental challenges through business. A social venture can be for profit, non profit, or a hybrid so long as it has a sustainable way to fund the business. Struggling to think of a business idea with a social impact? Check out the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

February 4: Applications due

February 11: Semifinalists selected

February 24: Finalists selected

April 26: Final event

Proposed businesses must solve an issue and create a positive impact for the people or the planet in some way. You may refer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the U.N. here for inspiration.
In order to apply and compete, teams must be made up of undergraduate or graduate SDSU students. Teams must have two team members pitch during the final competition and contain no more than five total team members. Additionally, at least one team member must be graduating Fall 2023 or later.
Teams must have two team members pitch during the competition. There can be additional team members on the team, contributing to the initial application, semifinalist interviews, etc. but the team should not exceed five members.
To receive the full $10,000 dollar prize, teams must win the competition and complete the ZIP Launchpad’s Etrack.
Apply here before February 4!

 

Next Steps for Semi-Finalists

Congratulations! Your team has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge! Here are the next steps for your team…

  1. Create a brief, 2-3 minute video introducing your team members, your passion for the problem, and confirming your team’s commitment to the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge. For more information regarding what we are looking for in your team’s video, please look to the "Semifinalist Video Submission Overview" below. 
  2. Email your video in an mp4 format to Jordyn ([email protected]) by February 13th at 11:59pm.
  3. The final 10 teams will be notified on February 15th.

 

Semifinalist Video Submission Overview

Your video should be 2-3 minutes long and include the following:

  • Introductions for each team member
    • Name, major, class year
    • Which 2 team members will be pitching your team’s idea in the final event on April 26th if your team is selected to move forward
  • The social problem your team has decided to address
    • Briefly describe the problem
    • Why is your team passionate about the problem you’re addressing?
    • What impact do you think solving this problem could have on the world we live in? 
  • Confirm your team’s commitment to the competition and what is expected of the challenge’s finalists
    • These expectations can be found on the website in the "Next Steps for Finalists" section below.
    • Example: “We understand what is required of finalists for this competition and we would be committed to meeting these expectations if we are selected”.
  • Make sure to email your team’s (mp4 format) 2-3 minute video to Jordyn ([email protected]) by February 13th at 11:59pm. 

 

Next Steps for Finalists

Congratulations! Your team has been selected as a finalist for the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge. Here are the meetings and events that all finalist teams are expected to attend:

  1. Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge Kickoff
    1. February 24 11:00-12:00 in the ZIP Launchpad
  2. ZIP Launchpad Etrack Meetings
    1. February 24 12:30-3:00pm in the ZIP Launchpad
    2. March 3 12:30-3:00pm in the ZIP Launchpad
    3. March 10 12:30-3:00pm in the ZIP Launchpad
    4. March 17 12:30-3:00pm in the ZIP Launchpad
    5. March 24 12:30-3:00 in the ZIP Launchpad
  3. Solution Development Workshop
    1. Week of April 3 (exact day and time TBD)
  4. Coaching Session
    1. Week of April 10 (exact day and time TBD)
  5. All Teams Submit Their Final Pitch Decks
    1. April 18 11:59pm
  6. Final Event Rehearsal
    1. April 19 (time TBD)
  7. Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge (two team members are expected to pitch during the competition but all team members may be present)
    1. April 26 4:30pm-6:30pm in the Theater

 

Finalist FAQ

If a team member is unable to attend, advance notice must be provided (email Jordyn at [email protected]) as soon as possible. A recording of the workshops will be provided upon reasonable request. However, it is expected that at least one team member be present at all required meetings.
All team members are highly encouraged to attend but, in the event of a conflict or emergency, at least one team member must be present at all required meetings.
We will consider requests for team member changes on a case by case basis. Please contact Jordyn ([email protected]) to add/drop team members.
Please see the "Next Steps for Finalists" section above.
All teams are required to have at least one team member graduating after Fall 2023. If you are graduating before that, make sure to find another team member to join your team that graduates Fall 2023 or later to ensure you are eligible for the challenge.