The Dell Social Innovation Competition is a venture plan competition for university students worldwide focused specifically on social entrepreneurship. Now in its fifth year, the mission of the DSIC is to inspire students to come up with ideas that can change the world. Best of all, it’s easy to enter!
Last year we had more than 1,000 entries from teams in 55 countries presenting ideas that addressed issues such as environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation, health, women’s rights, technology, and housing.
Entry into the competition is easy; students must only submit a short description of their idea on the website and if they are chosen to advance to the Semi-Finalist round, they then follow with a detailed venture plan and video. Initial Idea Concepts are judged on three criteria:
1) innovativeness;
2) sustainability in financial, social and environmental aspects;
3) potential scalability.
This year the DSIC is bigger than ever. We have more than $100,000 in seed funding to award to five winning teams. Finalists will be flown to Austin, Texas for an expense-paid weekend and to make their final pitch. We have also created new programs to expand outreach and support to students at all stages of their idea generation. For example, we have created two new paid fellowship programs that will provide inspiration, mentoring and support to 30 high-potential students who do not advance to the next round.
How to apply
Register for our site and submit a brief (500 words max) summary of your idea through our website by Feb. 14, 2011.
Undergraduate and graduate level students from any university or college in the world are eligible to enter.
Guidelines
Review the venture plan, final event and intellectual property guidelines for more details on submitting your idea.
Selection Criteria
View the criteria the judges use to evaluate each entry. Are you addressing their concerns in your plan?
Judges List
2010 Dell Social Innovation Competition Judge’s Circle
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