Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC)

Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC)
March 1-5, 2010

University of Washington, Seattle, USA

Application deadline November 11, 2009

Do you have an innovative, commercially-sustainable business idea that addresses a problem of poverty in the developing world?  If so, apply to GSEC!

The Power of Business to Solve Social Problems

GSEC engages creative minds around the world to develop bolder and less conventional business solutions to global poverty.  Open to all students worldwide—and across fields of study—GSEC seeks innovative social business ideas that provide lasting solutions to global economic development.

Semi-finalist teams from around the world will be travel to Seattle for GSEC Week (March 1-5, 2010), where they pitch their business ideas to judges and the UW community, visit regional companies, and compete for up to $17,500 in prize money, including global health awards.

Business ideas may focus on any industry area, such as global health, environment, energy, agriculture, education, or technology. Multidisciplinary teams are highly encouraged.

Apply by November 11, 2009

Applications consist of an executive summary of the business idea and an online registration.  Applications go through two rounds of reviews between Nov 11 – early December. Semi-finalist teams are selected in December 2009 and invited to participate in GSEC Week (Mar 1-5, 2010).  Semi-finalist teams work with mentors between Dec – March, then travel to Seattle for GSEC Week where they visit regional companies, pitch to potential investors, and compete for prize money. Apply online here

Download a GSEC flyer to distribute and learn more about the application: http://www.foster.washington.edu/centers/gbc/globalsocialentrepreneurshipcompetition/Pages/GSEC.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------

About GSEC

Each year, the Global Business Center brings the world to University of Washington: a select group of interdisciplinary teams are invited to Seattle to participate in GSEC Week at the UW Foster School of Business. Teams attend exclusive company visits, receive feedback on their presentation and pitch their business ideas to judges as they compete for prize money. 

From affordable, nutritious meals for slum dwellers in Mumbai, to mobile wind turbines in Kazakhstan, to solar oven-powered water purification systems in Tanzania, GSEC business plans demonstrate the power of business to create sustainable, positive change to some of the world’s most challenging social problems.

Since GSEC began over 300 students from more than 25 countries have participated in the program.  GSEC fosters interdisciplinary collaboration—across fields of study and among academic institutions.  Student team members from the UW alone have come from the schools of business, engineering, health sciences, international studies, law, and public administration.

GSEC is organized by the University of Washington’s Global Business Center at the Michael G. Foster School of Business, with the support of Microsoft (GSEC Grand Prize sponsor) and the UW Department of Global Health.

Become a fan of GSEC on Facebook

Visit us online http://www.foster.washington.edu/centers/gbc/globalsocialentrepreneurshipcompetition/Pages/GSEC.aspx