Kerstin StromIndustrial Designer specializing in Sustainable Green Design

One potential source of funding for green and social entreprenuers is through a green or social venture business plan competition.  These programs are organized by business schools and other organizations and are generally geared to ventures that are at an early stage in their development. Eligibility varies from event to event, but most school-based competitions require participation by students. Prize levels vary, but can exceed $50,000.

To suggest an addition to this list send an e-mail to info [at] greenvc.org

Competition Links

• AC-NET Clean Tech Business Plan Competition (City of Anaheim and Cal State Fullerton)
• Clean Energy Prize (University of Michigan and DTE Energy)
• Clean Tech Open
• Cleantech Venture Challenge (University of Colorado at Boulder)
• Duke Start-Up Challenge (includes a Social Enterprise Track)
• Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC) (Univ. of Washington)
• Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) (Multiple schools)
• Green Business Competition (Green Spaces)
• Ignite Clean Energy (ICE) Business Presentation Competition
• Imagine H2O
• MIT Clean Energy Entrepreneurship Prize
• NYU Stern’s Business Plan Competition
• Rice University Business Plan Competition – $20,000 Dow Sustainability Award
• Social E-Challenge (Stanford)
• Sustainable Social Venture Competition (University of Notre Dame)