Ideas 2 Venture
Ideas 2 Venture
An apple can feed a man.
An idea can feed the world.
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Ashoka GenV believes in the power of innovative ideas and we believe young people have lots of them (even if they don’t know it yet)!
How can we be sure? In the last 10 years, we’ve helped youth around the world launch more than 3,000 “social ventures” – projects that benefit their community or our planet.
So we’ve got proof!
Bret Carr, Mentor, Ideas2Venture Interested in changing the world? Thousands of young people already have. Launch your own venture. Email me for an application.
If you have an idea that can improve our world – or the commitment to create change – tell us!
Three times a year, we will select a number of passionate and creative youth to take part in our Ideas 2 Venture program and help you create, fund and launch your own social ventures.
***UPDATE: The Ideas2Venture Campaign is officially closed. It launched 7 Francophone ventures from Madagascar, Burkina Faso, France, and Belgium, and 6 ventures from the US, Kenya, and India.
>>>>Click here to email Ideas 2 Venture mentor, Bret Carr, for an application.<<<<
Timeline and Process
- Youth submit ideas for social ventures. If you don’t already have ideas, you can tell us what issues you are most concerned about. (Next deadline: September 1, 2009)
- Ashoka GenV chooses finalists to begin creating ventures. (September 8, 2009)
- Finalists fill out action plans with support from Ashoka GenV’s mentors. (Length of time may vary.)
- Finalists present projects (over the phone) to a panel of leaders and experts for feedback. The panel then decides which projects to approve and how much funding to give (up to US$1,000).
- Approved projects receive funding and launch their social ventures.
The entire process can take two months or longer depending on the needs of the finalists.
Prizes and Opportunities
- Seed Grants
Ashoka GenV offers seed grants to help youth launch new ventures or projects. The grants are $250, $500, $750 or $1000 depending on where you live and your country’s income level. UPDATE: Grants are available for new projects in the following regions: Global (0), France and Belgium (20), Spain and Latin America (15).
- Awards and Funding
Through our global partners, we offer our ventures additional opportunities for funding and recognition.
Rules and Guidelines
Eligibility Criteria
Ideas 2 Venture is open to all youth who are…
- between the ages of 12 and 20 in North America and Europe and 12 and 24 everywhere else (Proof of age will be required.)
- launching a new project or a major initiative of an existing project
- able to meet all requirements of program – action plan, budget, team ally, parental permission, progress reports, etc.
Assessment Criteria
Finalists – Three times a year, Ideas 2 Venture will review all submissions and choose the most creative ideas or the most committed entrants to apply for seed grants.
Grants – Grants will be awarded to projects that best meet the following criteria:
Innovative – project uses a new or creative approach to addressing a social or environmental issue
Effective – Project has potential significant or measurable impact
Sustainable – Project has potential to produce on-going positive change. It’s not a one-time event.
Youth-led and youth-driven – Project is run and shaped by youth, not adults.
Disclaimer — Compliance with Legal Restrictions
Ashoka GenV complies fully with all U.S. laws and regulations, including Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations, export control, and anti-money laundering laws. All grants will be awarded subject to compliance with such laws. Ashoka will not make any grant if it finds that to do so would be unlawful. This may prohibit awards in certain countries and/or to certain individuals or entities. All recipients will comply with these laws to the extent they are applicable to such recipients. No recipient will take any action that would cause Ashoka to violate any laws. Additionally, Ashoka will not make any grant to a company involved in the promotion of tobacco use.
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