Global Social Innovation Challenge

Our world needs changemakers who create new models and work within new paradigms of sustainable change. Innovate with us and be part of the Global Social Innovation Challenge!

The Social Innovation Challenge (SIC) powered by the University of San Diego’s Center for Peace and Commerce (CPC) has a 7-year track record of preparing and launching social innovators in the United States and Mexico.

Starting in 2017, the challenge became the Global Social Innovation Challenge (GSIC), and welcomes participation from college and university students across the entire world!

Upcoming Events:

USD Social Innovation Showcase
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018 // 4 P.M.
KIPJ, Room Theater
RSVP for the social innovation showcase here
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 // 4:30 P.M.
KIPJ, Room Theater
RSVP for the GSIC finale here

The GSIC is a social venture pitch competition that recognizes, resources, and rewards student-led social ventures focused on sustainable change. Participants are asked to develop a nuanced understanding of a social or environmental issue of their choice and identify gaps in the existing approaches. Then, they are asked to identify a potential solution that can address the gap/s, has measurable positive impact, and can be financially sustainable & scalable. Finally, students create a compelling value proposition, build a viable business plan, and pitch the venture to a panel of judges for seed funding and other resources!

Can you imagine your students growing their global networks and competing on-stage with student innovators from the world-over? The GSIC gives your students access to $50,000+ in seed funding and a priceless experience of learning, value formation, and networking.

If you are a university interested in more information about the 2018-2019 challenge, click here.

Begin quote “The Social Innovation Challenge helped me take an idea and turn it into a fully developed business. The support, ideas, and mentorship of the GSIC really helped us turn our idea into something tangible.” – 2017 student participant

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Submission Platform

I am a student participating in the 2017-2018 GSIC and would like to be re-directed to the submission platform.

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Request More Information

I represent an institution of higher education and would like to be sent more information about participating in the 2018-2019 challenge.

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Get Involved

I would like to get involved as a mentor, evaluator or sponsor.

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Participating Institutions

Any current student of a participating education institution can participate in the Global SIC.

At least one team member must be a current undergrad / postgraduate/ doctoral student as of December 14, 2017 at any of the participating institutions. The rest of the team members can be from any walk of life (i.e. belong to the same institute OR another partner institute OR another non-partner institute, OR not be a student at all)!