The 2012 Social Enterprise Bootcamp Pitch Competition provides the participants the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of distinguished judges, whom, along with the audience, will select three entrepreneurs, based on sound evaluation criteria, to receive valuable cash and service prizes.
Application deadline is November 11th.
Each participant will be given 3 minutes to pitch his/her idea, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A with the
judges and members of the audience.
Pitch must clearly identify:
1. Problem to be addressed
2. Proposed solution
3. Stage of Idea
4. Innovation space
5. Expected impact and means of verification
6. Management and Financing options
In addition to covering points 1-6 above, the Pitcher will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. Entrepreneurial Initiative
a. Drive
b. Vision
c. Execution Ability
2. Role Model Potential
a. Potential for Success
b. Ability to Inspire
3. Developmental Impact
a. Job creation potential
b. Wealth creation potential
c. Stakeholder impact potential
4. Business Innovation
a. Development of New Products/Services
b. Industry Impact Potential
c. Flexibility and Adaptability
If my social enterprise pitch application is accepted, what are the next steps?
Rachel Chong, CEO and Founder, Catchafire
Rachael is a social entrepreneur and a visionary leader. At the age of 24, alongside Susan Davis, Rachael helped start up BRAC USA by strategically utilizing pro bono talent. Fresh off this success, Rachael founded Catchafire in 2009 with a vision to create a more efficient and effective social good sector, and a world where it is commonplace to serve for the greater good. Under Rachael’s leadership, Catchafire is building a rapidly growing network of over 10,000 professionals and 2,500 social good organizations all across the United States, and has become the world’s largest online pro bono talent provider.
John Walker, Finance Director, Echoing Green
Educated in Physics and Engineering, John worked in venture capital and private equity for Chart Group in New York City, contributing to venture & LBO deals worth over $200m. Since joining Echoing Green in 2009 as Director of Finance, John has significantly increased his exposure to the social enterprise sector and sought to utilize his skills and experience in delivering increased impact through investment in socially-oriented, sustainable businesses. John graduated from the EMBA-Global program at Columbia and London Business Schools in 2008 and received the Distinguished Service Award for his service to the schools. John is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School teaching Impact Investing and at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs teaching on Raising Capital for Social Enterprises.
A. Lauren Abele, COO, Pipeline Fellowship
Lauren is the COO of the Pipeline Fellowship, an angel investing bootcamp for women philanthropists that launched in NYC in January 2011. Prior to the Pipeline Fellowship, Lauren worked in the nonprofit and public sectors in economic development, environmental issues, and women’s empowerment. Lauren has a B.A. in English Literature and Environmental Studies from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.P.A. in Economic Development and Comparative & International Affairs from Indiana University’s School for Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). She is also a proud School for International Training (SIT) alumna. You can find Lauren on Twitter (@laurenabele).