Social Enterprise Dragons Call for Entry

Got this from Cavelle on the SEARCHgrads email from the Alliance for Arts and Culture.

Please note that you MUST be a social enterprise owned by a registered nonprofit to qualify for this. If you’re a sole proprietor of a business, for instance, however impressive your social mandate (like me) you’re SOL and have to rely on plain ordinary Dragon’s Den. I just wish I knew a program that granted the money to set up as a nonprofit in the first place; it is NOT cheap!

DRAGONSDEN

The Vancity Community Foundation, JDQ Systems Inc and Enterprising Non-Profits are proud to announce the 2nd annual

Call for Letters of Intent (LOI) to participate in Social Enterprise’s answer to the Dragon’s Den.

[is that the clunkiest headline in history or whut?]

Ever wonder what might happen if the dragons left their den and entered the realm of social enterprise? Welcome to a special business case contest where three social enterprises will pitch their key business opportunity or challenge for a chance to win a series of prizes. Prizes include the opportunity to work with JDQ Systems Inc. (leading business performance improvement consultants) to solve their enterprise challenge, a technical assistance grant of $2,500 from enp, and a $15,000 funding award from Vancity Community Foundation to implement solutions.

Social Enterprise Dragons: A “Live” Social Enterprise Business Case Competition

We believe that the best learning comes from immersing ourselves in the tangible experiences of those involved in social enterprise. What better way to share tangible experiences than through the presentation of a business case, delivered by operating social enterprises, for a social enterprise audience. To that end, we are proud to host the second annual social enterprise version of the Dragons’ Den. We are calling on social enterprises to share their stories about key challenges/opportunities to be addressed within their organization and pitch why their business case merits a $15,000 funding award and/or technical assistance.

To submit a Social Enterprise Dragons LOI, organizations must be social enterprises (i.e. revenue generating businesses owned by a non-profit organization) and already fully operating. Organizations must also be located within the Lower Mainland. Particular consideration will be given to those whose cases provide the best opportunities to draw larger lessons for the social enterprise audience. Your key challenge can focus on any number of issues: financing and resource development, marketing and procurement, systems development, product expansion, geographic growth, employment development, and any other issues.

This event will highlight three business case presentations from social enterprise operators who will share their story before receiving feedback from an experienced panel. The goal is to provide support to the successful social enterprise candidates, while creating enormous learning value for all of those viewing who are working to develop socially and environmentally progressive enterprises.

To apply for this opportunity, send us a two page letter of intent telling us about your social enterprise, your key opportunity or challenge to be addressed, and why we should select your organization as one of three candidates in this event. Please include any relevant attachments that may help us to make our selections, including social enterprise financials, strategic and business plans, marketing and development materials.

Send letters of intent and supporting documents attention Peter Roundhill by e-mail to peter AT enterprisingnonprofits.ca.

Deadline for applications is February 12, 2010.

Three finalists will be selected and notified in late February 2010. The finalists will be provided with coaching by BC Social Venture Partners to fully develop their business case and presentation. The event will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Mark the date in your calendars.

For more information, please contact Liz Lougheed Green; elizabeth_green AT vancity.com

Vancity Community Foundation is a public foundation associated with Vancity Credit Union. Building on a cooperative tradition and values, we provide a vehicle for philanthropic giving and developmental support through which people can come together and realize the vision of communities.

JDQ Systems Inc. JDQ designs, implements and audits business management systems. We write software, manage improvement and IT projects and offer many other services and products that make it possible for companies to thrive and achieve world-class success. Our JUMP! suite of products builds solutions on the foundation of what’s already working. Our teamwork results in improved efficiency, revenue growth and cost savings. We have realized highly successful solutions for leading companies.

Enterprising Non-Profits, enp, is a unique partnership of foundations, credit unions and government that promotes and supports social enterprise development and growth as a means to build strong non-profit organizations and healthier communities. Enp is a funding program that provides matching grants to non-profit organizations in BC that are interested in starting or expanding a business. The enp funders include: Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, Columbia Basin Initiative Trust, Northern Development Initiative Trust, Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, Vancity Credit Union, Vancity Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, and Western Economic Diversification Canada.

BC Social Venture Partners. BCSVP is a network of business people pioneering a new model of giving – Venture Philanthropy. They connect the power of business with the passion of giving, to drive community solutions with a unique combination of time and money.

Rest assured, if you have the sticktoitiveness to read all of that, you’re well on your way to succeeding in the competition!