Discipline: Management, Domain: Entrepreneurship, Category: Business Plan Date:  25-Jun-2012 to 15-Nov-2012 Organizers:  Ashoka Changemakers Website:  http://www.changemakers.com/powerofsmall?section=criteria

Eligibility

The competition is open to all organizations and partnerships from around the world.

Solutions should reflect the theme of the challenge — The Power of Small: Entrepreneurs Strengthening Local Economies —and demonstrate impact within an underserved community or population.
Entrants should indicate growth beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated impact and sustainability.
We can only accept your entry in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

Potential solutions include those that

-Fulfill the talent needs of small businesses by developing the competencies of underserved job seekers and connecting them to local jobs;
-Build the capacity of emerging entrepreneurs to enable them to scale their businesses;
-Link small businesses to larger supply chains or government resource pipelines;
-Unlock growth financing for established small businesses;
-Facilitate the collaboration of government, nonprofit, and private-sector entities to provide -infrastructures that support small business and entrepreneurial growth;
-Help small businesses carry out environmentally and socially-responsible business practices.

Prize

One of four US$10,000 cash prizes in unrestricted funding to boost your project.
A technology donation to optimize performance and scale operations from SAP, the world's market leader in enterprise application software.
The opportunity to discuss your solution with SAP executives and high profile customers at the SAP SAPPHIRE NOW Conference in Madrid, Spain from November 13-15, 2012.
One of two early-entry US$500 cash prizes and an advisory session (if you enter before July 25, 2012).

Competition Deadlines, Procedures, and Rules

Online competition submissions are accepted until 6 p.m. EST on September 5, 2012. At any time before this deadline, competition participants are encouraged to revise their entries based on questions and insights that they receive through the Changemakers online discussion. Participation in the conversation enhances an entrant's prospects in the competition and provides the community and the judges with an opportunity to understand the entrant's project more completely.

September 5 – October 17, 2012: Online review and discussion continues. Simultaneously, a team of Ashoka staff and shortlisters, followed by a panel of expert judges, nominate the 10-15 best and most innovative entries as finalists.

Voting and Winners Selection

October 22 – November 2, 2012: The Changmakers community votes online to select four winners from the field of finalists.

Winners Announced

November 13: Four winners will each receive a comprehensive capital, technology and promotion package from SAP, which includes a cash prize of US $10,000, a technology donation to optimize performance and scale operations, and promotion and networking opportunities with SAP executives and SAP customers at the SAP SAPPHIRE NOW Conference from November 13-15, 2012.

All finalists will be invited to the SAP SAPPHIRE NOW Conference in Madrid, Spain from November 13-15, 2012,

Knowledge Test - Did you know?

Today's Question:  

Created the record for being the oldest man to win his game’s world championship in 1952. He shares his name with his idol who was a champion at that game too. His record was finally broken in 1994.   (Click here to see the answer)

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FORE School of Management, New Delhi