Innovative Social Impact Initiative
The Innovative Social Impact Initiative at CEI empowers students to use the skills and strategies of business leaders to innovatively and sustainably solve social, environmental, and economic problems, locally and around the world.
What is Social Entrepreneurship?Courses for Undergraduate & Graduate Students
- GEB 4930/SYA4930 - Honors Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (the GEB4930 section counts towards the minor in Entrepreneurship and has a pre-req/co-req of GEB3113)
- GEB 6155 - Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
*Independent Studies, Applied Field Studies, and Internships available upon request
Opportunities for Involvement
Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to get involved in a number of events and activities from the Social Venture Category of the Howard J. Leonhardt Business Plan Competition to the student organization Change the World UF to our High School Summer Program. For further information on these programs please click the links below.
Change the World UF: Student Social EntrepreneursUF Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership & Sustainability High School Summer Program
2010 Business Plan Challenge
The Innovative Social Impact Initiative at the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Office of Sustainability at UF are pleased to announce the 2010 NetImpact-Walmart Sustainability Better Living Business Plan Challenge!
Student teams (both graduate and undergraduate) are encouraged to develop a sustainable, profitable business plan for a new product or business process with a measurable positive environmental benefit. This could include preserving clean air, water, and soil; reducing waste; improving energy efficiency or developing renewable energy ideas; and promoting healthy living for people and communities. Plans and presentations must quantify their ability to provide benefits in one or more of the above areas.
The deadline for submitting Business Plans is Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 4pm. 3 Teams will be selected to participate in UF's Final Round, live Business Plan competition on Friday, January 29th from 9am-1pm. The winning team will go on to the NetImpact-Walmart Regional Competition, and the winners will go on to the NetImpact-Walmart Final Round in Bentonville, Arkansas where they will present their plan to an audience of top business and sustainability leaders in the U.S., and they will be eligible for a $20,000 award.
Instructions for Registering for the Competition
- Students who plan to enter the Business Plan Competition should register online as soon as possible (and no later than 4:00pm Wed. 1/20).
- Business Plans must be submitted via email to (as a .doc or .pdf format attachment) by 4:00pm on Wed. 1/20.
Important Dates:
- Wed. 1/20, 4:00pm: Deadline to submit complete Business Plan
- Mon. 1/25: 3 Finalists will be Announced
- Thurs. 1/28, 4:00pm: 3 Finalists must submit the final draft of their Business Plan & PowerPoint
- Fri. 1/29 9:00am - 1:00pm: 3 Finalists Compete in Stuzin 103, 4:00pm Winning Team will be Announced
Business Plan Competition Policies, Requirements & Judging Criteria
More information is also available at: http://www.netimpact.org/walmartchallenge.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Kristin Joos, Coordinator of UF's Innovative Social Impact Initiative at .
