Better Business Plan Competitions
With IDG’s new upload process, tools, service providers and investor network.
Competitions play an important role in the multiple bottom-line sector by challenging the social enterprise field to spend extended time and energy on their ideas and operations. Competitions are also an integral part of IDG’s strategy to reach and assist as many entrepreneurs as possible.
We believe the tools IDG provides will help take these competitions to a new level of impact and we are looking forward to partnering with businesses and organizations who are committed to spurring the field.
To demonstrate just what we mean, we’re launching the:
Sankalp Challenge 2008
The Sankalp (Eng. Pledge/Determination) Challenge 2008 is a nationwide business plan competition seeking to empower savvy entrepreneurs running or starting up enterprises that make real social impact. These individuals have big visions firmly rooted in reality, and business plans that are financially sustainable and scalable; to which, they apply an operational mindset and entrepreneurial attitude.
Sankalp aims to be more than just a competition. By attracting real entrepreneurs with high potential it strives to invigorate a blossoming industry by fostering realistic attitude and self-awareness. It also aims to produce more than just winners, by improving all finalist business plans through extensive, professional mentoring and a final winner’s conclave providing the opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain lasting skills through lessons and insights by experienced professionals.
To ensure a high level of quality amongst submissions, Sankalp is focusing on outreach, selection and output during the competition. Additionally, our concentration is on social enterprise sectors which we believe are not yet fulfilling their potential, including Energy, Housing, Skills Training, ICT and Agriculture and Food Services.
Sankalp 2008 Industry Highlights
- Housing: Identifying & scaling sustainable solutions to provide quality, affordable housing to impoverished communities around India.
- Energy: Magnifying the reach of safe, affordable and efficient electricity at the household and commercial and rewarding local energy solutions.
- Skill Training: Highlighting the importance, viability and effectiveness of skill training courses to encourage their rapid spread.
- ICT: Emphasizing scalable knowledge distribution models, local community action, and civic engagement.
- Agriculture and Food Security: Spreading affordable tools and operations to improve the yield and sustainability of small-scale farmers, and supporting value-adding models.