Topeka, Kan. - It pays to make the world a better place. At least, that is true for winners of a new competition at Washburn University that focuses on social entrepreneurship. Winners are eligible for $25,000 in cash prizes donated by the Topeka Community Foundation.
The Washburn University School of Business Community Innovation Challenge (CIC), scheduled March 10 and 21 on the Washburn campus, is a student competition that encourages students to explore and develop business ideas that focus on helping solve social issues facing our community, region or the world.
Competitors develop and submit a business idea. Semi-finalists will present their concepts March 10 with finalists presenting their ideas March 21. Prizes will be given to the top 10 entries.
1st place - $10,000
2nd place - $4,000
3rd place - $3,000
4th place - $2,000
5th – 10th place semi-finalists - $1,000 each
The event is open to Washburn University graduate and undergraduate students as well as students at Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech). Students may compete alone or in teams of up to three. Ideas can be targeted at a for-profit business that contributes to a social cause or a non-profit business focusing on a social issue. All concepts must have an end goal to help society or the local community in some way.
“Social entrepreneurship is becoming popular as it allows people to have an impact on their communities or the world by thinking of new ways to create profitable and sustainable businesses that provide social good,” said Dr. David Price, associate professor of business marketing, Washburn University. “It encourages innovative ways to solve social challenges or doing good by doing well. Washburn’s School of Business believes the timing of this new competition could not be better.”
The deadline to register for the competition is Feb. 24. More information is available at Community Innovation Challenge | Washburn University.
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For further information, contact:
Lori Hutchinson
Interim Director of Public Relations
Telephone: (785) 670-1711
Cell: (785) 224-6212
Email: lori.hutchinson@washburn.edu
