As will.i.am said at this year’s TNW Conference, “the superstars of the future are going to be founders of startups that solve tomorrow’s problems.”
Sustainability is more important than ever before, but it can be really hard to build a for-profit business that aims to do good in the world. Luckily, entrepreneurs don’t have to do it alone.
Chivas, the original luxury blended Scotch whisky, hosts an annual competition where they support some amazing entrepreneurs that are using business to solve social and environmental issues. Applications are open for Chivas Venture 2019, and you can apply right here.
In the past, they’ve funded a startup that makes sustainable clothing from animal waste, and another that uses discarded plastic to build affordable housing – to name just a few.
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At last year’s Chivas Venture Final, hosted at our very own TNW Conference, the winning social enterprise was Change Please, an innovative coffee company that helps the homeless off the streets. Since winning $350,000, founder Cemal Ezal has provided an academy that will empower the homeless community by training them to become baristas.
Inspired yet? Us too. So here’s how it works: if you’re a startup that makes a change in the world, you can apply to win a share of $1 million in no-strings funding. Successful applicants will compete in a local final, with the winner from each of the 20 participating countries flying to London for a three-day Accelerator Program. This will give global finalists an opportunity to hone their business and pitching skills.
Afterwards, the fund’s first allocation of $100,000 will be put into the hands of the public with three weeks of online voting. The Chivas Venture 2019 will then culminate in a series of high-stakes pitches at the Global Final, where the finalists will battle it out for the remainder of the $1 million fund.
You can send in your application right now – but be quick! The deadline is October 31st. You can also learn more about the process right here.
Good luck!
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