2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge
2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge
Achieving Food Security Through Innovation
Applications closes December 12
Interested in getting involved with the 2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge? Contact us at [email protected]
What is the SDSU Social Venture Challenge?
The SDSU Social Venture Challenge is an annual pitch competition hosted at San Diego
State University.
The 2026 competition will focus on the theme: Achieving Food Security Through Innovation. Students will be challenged to identify a significant problem related to the impact
of food security in our region and present an innovation that results in a social
venture.
Who Can Participate?
- Current, degree seeking SDSU undergraduate and graduate students
- Southern California colleges and universities (current, degree seeking undergraduate and graduate students) by invitation
- Teams may not compete in the 2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge with the same idea if they previously won a cash prize in a past SDSU Social Venture Challenge.
What is a Social Venture?
The distinguishing characteristic of the social venture versus the commercial venture is the primacy of their objective to solve social problems and provide social benefits. The social venture may generate profits, but that is not its focus. Rather, profits are a possible means to achieve sustainability in providing a social benefit. The entity can be for-profit, non-profit or a hybrid. The problems addressed by social ventures cover a range of social issues, including poverty, inequality, education, the environment, and economic development. In the case of this challenge, we are seeking issues related to the impact of food security on our region and beyond.
Compete for a total of $35,000 in Cash Prizes!
A total of $35,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the 2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge winning teams. In addition, first, second, and third place teams will receive automatic acceptance into the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge in May 2026, where they will have the opportunity to compete for over $75,000 in additional funding!
FAQ for SDSU Applicants:
Enrollment: All team members must be current SDSU undergraduate or graduate students enrolled during both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
Team Size: Teams must consist of 2-4 SDSU students (see above).
Live Pitch Participation: At least 2 members of the team must be available to participate in the live competition held at SDSU on March 13, 2026 from 3:00-6:00pm.
Stage of Venture: The competition is designed for early stage ideas. Ventures that have generated revenue from product or service sales are not eligible to compete.
Open to All Majors: Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply!
Coaching and Preparation: Selected teams are required to participate in structured coaching and training sessions from January through March, which include 2–3 hours of in-person coaching per week, along with additional team work and individual preparation. Applicants should be prepared to invest approximately 2–5 hours per week on refining their venture and pitch throughout this period.
Teams may not compete in the 2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge with the same idea if they previously won a cash prize in a past SDSU Social Venture Challenge.
SDSU students can apply for the Challenge via the online application.
Applications close December 12, 2025
In addition to submitting an application for the Social Venture Challenge, SDSU finalists will also be considered for the Hult Prize! The top SDSU application will compete in the Hult Prize National Competition during the months of March, April, and May. From there, selected teams will participate in a digital incubator and a global accelerator until only 6 teams are left. The final 6 teams will compete for the $1,000,000 Hult Prize! Upon being determined by the selection committee, the top SDSU application will be notified and instructed on next steps. All travel and training related to competing for the Hult Prize will be provided by the ZIP Launchpad. To learn more about the Hult Prize, visit their website.
FAQ for Invited Universities/Colleges:
The SDSU Social Venture Challenge is a Southern California pitch competition, by invitation only. Work with your college or university to find out if you are eligible to compete.
Enrollment: All team members must be degree seeking undergraduate or graduate students enrolled during both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
Live Pitch Participation: At least 2 members of the team must be available to participate in the live competition held at SDSU on March 13, 2026 from 3:00-6:00pm.
Stage of Venture: The competition is designed for early stage ideas. Ventures that have generated revenue from product or service sales are not eligible to compete.
Open to All Majors: Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply!
Teams may not compete in the 2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge with the same idea if they previously won a cash prize in a past SDSU Social Venture Challenge.
A total of $35,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the 2026 SDSU Social Venture Challenge winning teams. In addition, first, second, and third place teams will receive automatic acceptance into the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge in May 2026, where they will have the opportunity to compete for over $75,000 in additional funding!
Prize money for students from invited institutions will be processed through SDSU and distributed by each student’s home campus. All prize funds must be split evenly among team members.
Participating campuses should be prepared to collaborate with SDSU for proper disbursement.
We’re Here to Help!
Have questions? Send us an email! Contact [email protected].
Resources
Online Resources:
- United States Department of Agriculture
- World Health Organization
- Economic Research Service
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- North Carolina Local Food Council
- United Nations
- Example Solution- One Restaurant Has a Way to Fight Food Waste: Making Food Out of 'Trash'
ZIP Launchpad Resources:
- Don't Fall in Love With Your Solution, Fall in Love With Your Problem
- Asking for What You Need
- Intention- Creating Awareness
- Q&A With Food Security Startup Founder
- Guest Lecture With Kristian Krugman (Co-Founder of Soul Much) and Jonathan Zaidman
(VP of Community at the Ecology Center)
- Soul Much
- Ecology Center
- Guest Lecture With Iana Castra (Co-Founder of BrightSide Produce)
Case Study: Food Finder
- Food Finder Description
- Food Finder FAQs
- Food Finder Theory of Change / Impact Summary
- Food Finder Demo
Need help with your application?
Check out the document below for resources to get you started!
Past Social Venture Challenge
The SDSU Social Venture Challenge is a pitch competition held annually at SDSU, view our past SVC here.
2025 SVC
2024 SVC