One potential source of funding for green and social entreprenuers is through a green or social venture business plan competition. These programs are organized by business schools and other organizations and are generally geared to ventures that are at an early stage in their development. Eligibility varies from event to event, but most school-based competitions require participation by students. Prize levels vary, but can exceed $50,000.
To suggest an addition to this list send an e-mail to info [at] greenvc.org
Competition Links
- AC-NET Clean Tech Business Plan Competition (City of Anaheim and Cal State Fullerton)
- Clean Energy Prize (University of Michigan and DTE Energy)
- CleanTech Business Challenge (hosted by University College London and the London Business School)
- Cleantech Open
- Duke Start-Up Challenge (includes a Social Enterprise Track)
- Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC) (Univ. of Washington)
- Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) (Multiple schools)
- ICE/Cleantech Open Northeast
- Imagine H2O
- Klau Family Prize for Greatest Social Impact (part of the McCloskey Business Plan Competition) (University of Notre Dame)
- MIT Clean Energy Entrepreneurship Prize
- NYU Stern’s Business Plan Competition
- Rice University Business Plan Competition - $20,000 Dow Sustainability Award
- Social E-Challenge (Stanford)
