The GSVC is a partnership among the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, Columbia Business School, London Business School and the Indian School of Business.

The partnership aims to foster a new generation of business leaders that values the social as well as the profit potential of business. It achieves this by catalysing and promoting ventures that create both social and financial returns.

Successful business plans demonstrate:

• Quantifiable social returns on investment
• Superior social and economic returns compared to other firms in their industry
• Sustainable social and economic benefits over time

Innovate and win funding
Have an idea? Build a team. Let us help you reach out to the resources to bring those ideas to fruition. There is no limit to the number of teams that can enter from a school. As part of the process you will network with venture capitalists and others who can help shape your ideas ? and your future. You will be exposed to potential sources of funding through judges and people affiliated with the competition.

Learn about social return on investment

Education and mentoring are key components of the success of the GSVC. Entrant teams build relationships with members of the business community ? seasoned, high-profile professionals who provide indispensable advice, guidance and networks that endure beyond the competition. These mentors and their networks can be prospective advisers, board members, additional management team members or potential investors. In addition we hold the GSVC Symposium, a day long session of education, inspiration and information on social enterprise. Confirmed speakers include Jeremy Nicholls of the new economics foundation and John Bates of the Foundation for Entrepreneurial Management, London Business School

For more information, visit http://socialvc.net/

If you are interested in entering, attending the Symposium, mentoring or judging, or want to talk about joining another team, contact the London Business School team:
Subho Moulik: smoulik.mba2007@london.edu
Gaurav Rekhi: grekhi.mba2007@london.edu

Johanna Walker: jwalker@london.edu

Why enter?

The winner will receive $25,000 prize money. All entrants will receive feedback, and if requested, mentoring at every stage of the competition, plus the chance to meet advisors and investors.

Key steps and dates

2 December 2006

Global Social Venture
Symposium

A day of learning and inspiration, with lectures on calculating Social Return on Investment and creating good business plans

16 December 2006

Request-a-mentor deadline

17 January 2007

GSVC Business Plan
Submission Deadline

9 February 2007

First judging round
(London Business School students)

9 March 2007

Semi-final
judging round
(Professional investors)

14 April
Grand Final at Haas