Annually since 2007 Dell has run a Social Innovation Competition pitting the ideas of students from around the world into competition for a $50,000 prize.
Annually since 2007 Dell has run a Social Innovation Competition pitting the ideas of students from around the world into competition for a $50,000 prize. The remit is simple: “Tackle a pressing social issue – Win $50000 to put your plan into action” and the competition fierce. At the time of writing there are hundreds of ideas covering issues from poverty alleviation to peace and security.
Last years winner: Shining Hope for Communities links tuition-free school for girls to accessible, income-generating social services for all to combat gender inequality in places of extreme poverty. In their innovative model, girls’ schools become portals through which attitudes toward women change as community members associate essential health and economic services with an institution dedicated to girls’ education.
Two of the leading ideas this year are “Help Children to Help Mankind” which seeks to provide the basic equipment needed for school children to benefit from education such as pencils and books. And “Possibilities Pakistan” which gives advice to college leaving Pakistanis looking to apply to university outside of their country.
Applicants register, post their idea then receive comments and votes. 100 innovators then move receive help to develop their ideas before 5 finalists are flown to Texas for the final judging and decision. The program is run in partnership between Dell and The University of Texas.
Having briefly read a few of the ideas there is an awesome range of problems and solutions on display and I can’t wait to see who makes it to the next round.
Their page can be found at: http://www.dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com/