John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC)
Objective
To encourage the founding and growth of high-potential new ventures with a social mission, providing UChicago graduate students with mentorship and funding to launch for-profit or nonprofit social startups.
Description
What it is:
- The John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC) is the social impact track of the University of Chicago's New Venture Challenge (NVC), the university's nationally ranked business launch program.
- Run by Chicago Booth's Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation in partnership with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Who can participate:
- Open to currently enrolled University of Chicago graduate students; alumni and non-UChicago individuals may join a team if at least one current UChicago graduate student is an integral member.
- Teams may be for-profit or nonprofit and must present a venture with a social mission and a plausible plan for financial sustainability (earned revenue, philanthropy, grants, or a combination).
Format:
- Phase I: Application and executive summary review.
- Phase II: Selected teams spend Spring Quarter developing a full business plan while enrolled in the New Social Ventures course, with mentorship from faculty, coaches, and investors.
- Phase III: Finalist teams pitch at the SNVC Finals before a panel of judges for cash and in-kind prizes.
Notable:
- One of the nation's first social venture competitions, the SNVC has helped launch more than 200 companies and nonprofits since 2011 that have collectively raised over 260 million dollars.
January 24, 2026
Private
Business School
innovation
will.colegrove@chicagobooth.edu
University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business
Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at Chicago Booth, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Chicago
Undefined