Deadline: Various (See the deadline by countries here)
Are you in need of funding? Do you have an innovative social business that is helping to create a better future? Do you have exceptional startup that use business innovatively to transform communities and solve global challenges? If you think it’s brilliant and can create real, positive change then apply for Chivas Regal’s “The Venture” competition.
In 2014, Chivas Regal launched The Venture, a $1million annual fund and global search to reward those who are using business to create positive change. Over the last two years Chivas Regal have invested $2 Million in a new generation of extraordinary startups, that do well by doing good, because we believe generosity and success go hand in hand.
The Competition is looking for social businesses from around the world that are using business to help create a better future. Successful applicants will have a chance to pitch for a share of The Venture’s $1Million fund and will receive world-class mentorship to help accelerate their growth.
Objectives
- Find and connect social entrepreneurs.
- Support high potential, high-impact businesses around the globe.
- Inspire others to use business as a force for good.
Funding Information
The prize for the winner(s) of the Global Competition is a share of a fund of US$1,000,000 (the “Fund”), with the prize money available in two separate stages: the consumer voting and also the final pitch and exposure for your business through participating in the Global Competition.
- Global Competition Stages:
- The Accelerator Week comprising a series of lectures, workshops and coaching sessions;
- The Consumer Directed Competition which involves the allocation of US$250,000 of the total Fund on a periodic basis based on consumer voting; and
- The Venture Final Pitch in front of a panel of Judges, which results in the allocation by the Judges of the remaining US$750,000 of the Fund;
Stages Projects
Chivas Regal is searching for businesses in:
- Seed stage (which means the product is still in prototype stage and the business is not yet generating revenue from customers or users yet),
- Startup stage (which means the business has a working prototype of its concept, ideally with some demonstrable user traction, generating a maximum of US $500,000 – or local currency equivalent – in annual revenues and has been incorporated for no more than three years) or
- Growth stage (which means the business is beyond the working prototype stage, and can show significant user traction and sales, generating a maximum of US $1 million – or local currency equivalent – in annual revenues and has been incorporated for more than three years).
Expected Outcomes
- The Venture Alumni Network grows globally and alumni are active in supporting one another.
- Social impact businesses have access to the resources they need to grow their business and scale their impact.
- Chivas is a hub within a vibrant ecosystem of social entrepreneurship.
Key Pillars
- Acceleration through Learning: Provide inspiring workshops and intensive coaching from industry experts during a global Accelerator Week to support business growth and help scale impact.
- Media Exposure: Help entrepreneurs to gain exposure through various media channels as well as our dedicated website and social media channels.
- Financial Support: Help entrepreneurs to gain exposure through various media channels as well as our dedicated website and social media channels
- Impact Community: Provide substantial grant funding to the winning ventures in our competition to enable entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses’ future Through the programme, entrepreneurs are connected with a global, likeminded community to support and challenge them.
Eligibility Criteria
- Chivas Regal is looking for social entrepreneurs who have a registered, for-profit startup or business.
- Applicant will have a strong vision, a compelling idea and a solid business plan.
- Applicant will also need to showcase how their business has a positive impact and articulate how funding would help to take your business to the next level.
- Applicant must be over 25 to enter The Venture.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply via given website.
Eligible Countries
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Germany, Greece, Gulf, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.
For more information, please visit Chivas Regal’s The Venture Competition.