The 2008 - 2009 NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture "Be A Changemaker Challenge"*
Want to change the world? Find out how you can get up to $1000 and the support to do it!
The "Be a Changemaker Challenge" is a partnership* between the NYU Reynolds Program in Social Entrepreneurship and
Youth Venture.
We invite all NYU undergraduate students to compete for seed grants and Grand Prize capital to launch their own social ventures
or expand an existing social venture by participating in the "2008-09 NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Be A Changemaker Challenge" (BAC).
The recipient of the 2008-09 Reynolds/Youth Venture "Be a Changemaker Challenge" $10,000 award is the First Aid Comedy Brigade.
The First Aid Comedy Brigade, led by Zach Lee, a sophomore at Steinhardt, is a comedy improvisational troupe that puts on free
shows for patients of children's hospitals across New York City. Broadly, The First Aid Comedy Brigade seeks to expand to other
universities and cities across the United States. Each First Aid Comedy Brigade would receive the same materials, such as t-shirts
and basic set design, thereby unifying all Brigades across the country in a franchise model, and bringing the name to each college
and university. For more information on this team, and the members, please visit their team profile here..
Please Note: The below information pertains to the 2008-09 Challenge, which has completed. Please check back in August/September 2009 for more information on the 2009-10 Challenge.
How it Works: Interested students from any NYU undergraduate school -in teams of two or more- outline their idea by completing
and submitting the BAC Action Plan, available on the Reynolds website. All Action Plans will be reviewed with specific feedback provided.
Upon resubmission and an in-person pitch, up to thirty will be awarded a seed grant of up to $1,000 each. All seed grant winners will
also be invited to pitch their idea to a special panel of expert judges and compete for up to $10,000 in capital,
and the title of The NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Best Overall Venture.
What Gets Funded: A venture can be any student-created, student-led organization, program, or business that benefits the community.
The venture must be a new venture or a major new initiative of an existing organization, must be sustainable with clear attainable goals,
and must involve two or more team members with at least one lead team member under the age of 21.
The NYU Reynolds Program, Youth Venture and the NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Student Chapter will be sponsoring information sessions,
mixers, and technical assistance opportunities to help you get started and be successful. While these events are optional to your participation
in the challenge, they are certainly helpful. Please email nyu.changemaker@youthventure.org for further details on how
to get started and see below for Challenge deadlines.
2008-09 Timeline for the Challenge:
Week of September 22: Introductory Workshops
In these optional, hour-long interactive workshops, Youth Venture will introduce students to the world of social entrepreneurship
and the challenge, help them develop ideas, and prepare them to write strong Action Plans.
- Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 12:00pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry Conference Room
- Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 6:00pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry Conference Room
- Friday, September 26, 2008, 12:00pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry Conference Room
- Friday, September 26, 2008, 6:00pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry Conference Room
September 30: NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Chapter Meeting
Can't make one of our introductory workshops? Interested in building your venture idea beyond the BAC challenge? Don't have an idea yet,
but want to learn how? Come join previous BAC winners and venturers at this open meeting for anyone and everyone interested. No matter where
you are in the development of your idea, our venturers can help you become a part of the BAC community!
- Meetings will be held every other Tuesday evening at the Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor (specific dates and exact
locations to be announced in advance)
- The first meeting is September 30, 7pm, in the Jersey Conference Room
October 2008: Team-Building Workshops
Students sign up for optional group sessions to get assistance on building their idea and venture.
- October 17, Slots available from 3:00pm - 6:00pm
The RSVP for this session is now closed.
- October 29, Slots available from 3:00pm - 6:00pm
The RSVP for this session is now closed.
October 28: NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Chapter Meeting
Can't make one of our introductory workshops? Interested in building your venture idea beyond the BAC challenge? Don't have an idea yet,
but want to learn how? Come join previous BAC winners and venturers at this open meeting for anyone and everyone interested. No matter where
you are in the development of your idea, our venturers can help you become a part of the BAC community!
November 2008: Receive Feedback on Executive Summaries
Teams receive feedback on their executive summaries and work with Youth Venture to prepare their venture ideas for submission using
the e-Learning tool.
November 6, 2008, 7pm: NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Social Entrepreneurial Bash
Come and join us for an evening of FREE food and conversation about social entrepreneurship and social issues.
Dave Wish, Founder and Executive Director of
Little Kids Rock will kick off an evening of networking and conversation with the NYU
Undergraduate Social Entrepreneurial Community, including former and current Venturers.
- Learn more about the NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture "Be a Changemaker Challenge."
- Connect with others who share your interests and passions.
NOVEMBER 10, 2008: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DEADLINE
All teams participating in the "Be a Changemaker Challenge" must draft a 300-word minimum executive summary of their Venture idea.
- Click here (PDF) for guidelines and submission instructions.
November 17-21: Global Entrepreneurs Week
Participate in a week of activities focused around Social Entrepreneurship. Further details and information coming soon.
November 25: NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Chapter Meeting
Can't make one of our introductory workshops? Interested in building your venture idea beyond the BAC challenge? Don't have an idea yet,
but want to learn how? Come join previous BAC winners and venturers at this open meeting for anyone and everyone interested. No matter where
you are in the development of your idea, our venturers can help you become a part of the BAC community!
December 2008: Launch of e-Learning Tool
All teams can begin working on their Action Plans through Youth Venture's new online workshop. Teams will be required to use this tool in order to submit
their Action Plans.
December 9: NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Chapter Meeting
Can't make one of our introductory workshops? Interested in building your venture idea beyond the BAC challenge? Don't have an idea yet,
but want to learn how? Come join previous BAC winners and venturers at this open meeting for anyone and everyone interested. No matter where
you are in the development of your idea, our venturers can help you become a part of the BAC community!
MIDNIGHT, JANUARY 25, 2009: ACTION PLAN DEADLINE EXTENDED
February 11, 2009: Special Panel Presentation with RRE Ventures
A few select Venture groups will be chosen to present their ventures and get feedback from RRE Ventures, a venture capital firm. The session
will be led by Girish Gupta, Associate for RRE Ventures. This event will take place
in the Mulberry Conference Room, The Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor.
Agenda
- Introduction of Panelists and Teams
- Keynote address and presentation from Alicia Polack, CEO of the Khaya Cookie Company, a social entrepreneur helping local communities in South Africa
- YV team presentations
- Wrap-up
February 18-20 and 23, 2009: Selection Panels
All teams that submit an Action Plan and meet the criteria will be invited to present their venture proposals before a Selection Panel. Teams will receive any
further feedback and be required to follow-up with Youth Venture on any specific issues before seed-granting is awarded.
- Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 5-8pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry, Lafayette and Jersey Conference Rooms
- Thursday, February 19, 2009, 5-8pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry, Lafayette and Jersey Conference Rooms
- Friday, February 20, 2009, 2-5pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry, Lafayette and Jersey Conference Rooms
- Monday, February 23, 2009, 5-8pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Mulberry, Lafayette and Jersey Conference Rooms
Week of March 2, 2009: Seed-Grants Awarded and Ventures Launch
March 23-24, 2009: Grand Award Judging
All seed grant winners will also be invited to pitch their idea to a special panel of expert judges and compete for up to $10,000 in capital,
and the title of The NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Best Overall Venture.
- Monday, March 23, 2009, 5-8pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Lafayette Conference Rooms
- Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 5-8pm -
Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, Lafayette Conference Rooms
Week of April 6, 2009: NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture Best Overall Venture $10,000 Grand Award Announced
