Overview

The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is an unprecedented partnership brings together the academic and financial worlds to support the creation of sustainable social ventures. The GSVC awards prizes to the business plans that show the highest, most integrated financial and social returns.

Each year, entrant teams from around the world compete for over US $ 45,000 in cash and travel prizes. Last year, 160 teams contested from 81 universities, across 19 countries. First place was won by Revolution Foods from USA, which raised US $ 600,000 from JPMorgan Bay Area Equity Fund. After winning GSVC, the company, which provides healthy, low-cost, organic meals for Bay Area Schools, secured its own kitchen and tripled its customers. Coming in at second place was Verdacure from Thailand, which developed an innovative product that prevents and treats periodontal disease chewing gum.

This year, the Grand Prize of US $ 25,000 will be awarded to the plan that achieves both high economic and social returns. All competing ventures must include an MBA or equivalent student from any business school in the world or an individual who has graduated from an MBA or equivalent programme within the past two years.

The Asia round of the GSVC is being hosted by the Indian School of Business (ISB). ISB’s goal is to encourage and support teams from around the region. Two top teams from Asia will be selected for the Global finals that will be held at the Haas School of Business, Berkeley, CA.

For the 2007-08 Competition, executive summaries are due to the Indian School of Business on. November 22, 2007 (extended due to popular request).

Vision

VISION
We envision a world in which every business values, generates, and accounts for social impact.

MISSION
The purpose of GSVC is to actively support and promote the creation and growth of successful social ventures around the world. We define a social venture as an enterprise that has both financial and social goals integral to its purpose. We strive to elevate the visibility of the field and the quality and quantity of new ventures through our annual business plan competition. Each year our competition rewards a number of social ventures that are most likely to succeed in accomplishing their financial and social missions. Since its inception in 1999, GSVC has awarded more than US $ 300,000 to emerging social ventures and has introduced early-stage social entrepreneurs to the investment community. Nearly 25% of our past entrants are now operating companies.

OBJECTIVE
We will organize and host a social venture business plan competition that provides a global forum for entrepreneurs to showcase their plans and for investors to support groundbreaking social ventures.
                                                                  


Partners

Haas School of Business
Columbia Business School   
London Business School  
Indian School of Business   
Yale School of Management

Outreach Partners

Social Venture Competition-Koreaa
Thammasat University; http://www.bus.tu.ac.th/imba/
University of Geneva

History

The Global Social Venture Competition began in 1999 as a student-led initiative at the Haas School of Business in California, USA.

In May 2001, Columbia Business School and The Goldman Sachs Foundation partnered with Haas to extend the reach of the competition and help grow a national platform for social ventures.

In June 2003, the London Business School joined the competition partnership to extend the competition globally.

In July 2005, the Indian School of Business was invited as an affiliate. Click here for more info on Global Social Venture Competition 2005

In January 2006, the first Asia Semi-final round was held at the Indian School of Business. Click here for more info on Global Social Venture Competition 2006.

In January 2007, the second Asia semi-final round was held at the Indian School of Business. Click here for more info on Global Social Venture Competition 2007.