Can you design a replicable model of a social business that creates at least ten jobs for individuals living in poverty? That is the challenge! On September 23, 2011, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus was honored with the St. Vincent de Paul Award by DePaul University in recognition of his leadership in the development and implementation of the concept of microcredit, which has revolutionized support for people living in poverty throughout the world. During his visit to the university, he issued a challenge to those gathered during a small round table discussion on the future of microfinance and social business. The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., DePaul’s president, accepted the challenge and empowered DePaul’s Institute for Business and Professional Ethics (IBPE) to launch the Social Venture Business Plan (SVBP) competition. We are grateful to Prof. Yunus for his inspiration, and to his Ombudsperson, Dave Stephens, for his support and guidance throughout this project.
What is the SVBP Competition?
The SVBP competition is a challenge to all DePaul part-time and full-time enrolled students to submit plans for the creation of a business that serves the seven principals of social business, included below. The ultimate goal is to alleviate poverty, which can be reduced, if not eradicated, within our lifetimes. The winning plan or plans will be awarded funding to establish the social business from the world renowned Grameen Creative Lab.
Objective
The fundamental purpose of the competition is to design a replicable model of a social business that creates at least ten jobs for individuals living in poverty. Through replication, countless jobs can be created in multiple environments and economies throughout the world. Given DePaul’s longstanding commitment to Haiti and to the lives of Haitians living in poverty, as well as recognition of the value of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, the purpose of the business plan submitted to the SVBP competition shall be to create jobs for at least ten workers living in poverty in Haiti, with sufficient pay so that those workers are able to support their families and pay for the grade school education of their children and beyond. Note: Unless the students involved opt for an alternate approach, it will be presumed that the IBPE will work with the Grameen Creative Lab to match the funded business plan with capable entrepreneurs in Haiti to implement the plan on the ground. Therefore, submissions should be conceived and written in such a way as to be practicable under those conditions. Submitting teams (including those whose proposals are not necessarily chosen for funding) will be invited to continue to work as mentors or otherwise with implementing entrepreneurs once the business plan is put into practice on the ground in Haiti and, hopefully later, around the world.
Download the full Business Plan
Workshops: Social Venture Business Plan Competition
Dear Students and Colleagues (please share broadly):
As you may already have heard, we are hosting a Social Venture Business Plan competition sponsored by the Grameen Creative Lab to design a replicable model of a social business that creates at least ten jobs for individuals living in poverty. Details of the competition can be found in the attached document.
Seminar sessions for all participants or those considering participation will be offered on the following dates, times and topics (topics are repeated in order to ensure access to all students interested):
As an example dePaul is offering a Workshop: Social Venture Business Plan Competition
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 3:30 – 5pm
Background Context on Haiti and Description of The Competition: Prof. Laura Hartman, Special Assistant to the President for Haiti Initiatives and Vincent de Paul Professor of Business Ethics, Deptartment of Management
– The Nature and Establishment of a Social Business: Prof. Alexandra Murphy, Associate Professor of Communication, Director of Communication Studies
– How to Develop a Business Plan: Prof. Raman Chadha, Clinical Professor and Executive Director, Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
Tags: Change, DePaul University, Systemic change
