Showing posts with label competition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label competition. Show all posts

23 Jun 2011

10 Top tips for funding applications from the Big Venture Challenge

UnLtd is running the Big Venture Challenge to find the next generation of large-scale social enterprises (a subject dear to On Purpose's heart).

With one week to go till the application deadline, they have published their top 10 tips on applying for funding, which not only hold for the Big Venture Challenge but are also worth keeping in mind for other applications too!

So here goes:
1) Your application form doesn’t have to be perfect – we will call you if we need more information

2) Keep your answers short, clear and concise. You can use bullet points – it doesn’t have to be polished prose

3) It’s a competition, so you do have to stand out from the crowd – tell us your vision and why we should back you

4) BVC is for startups and existing ventures who are ambitious to grow – stage is not a dealbreaker

5) Don’t be afraid to think big: but be prepared to prove that the demand / need / opportunity is there

6) If you know you have weaker areas, don’t ‘hide’ them: be honest & then say how you’re going to address them

7) The key is that you are ambitious and you want investment to scale up the social impact of your venture

8) If you apply you will get on our radar – even if you don’t win it could open doors to other opportunities / funding

9) Give it a go – you don’t have much to lose by putting in an application and you could win £175K

10) If you have any questions – pick up the phone and just ask – 02075661100



For further information on the Big Venture Challenge check out the website, email enquiries@bigventurechallenge.com or phone 02075661100.







14 Apr 2011

On Pupose team goes bowling

Last Friday night the 2011 On Purpose cohort and its extended 'family' managed to get together for a whole evening of fun and informal mingling. Despite every one's busy agenda we managed to gather nearly 20 of us together and had the pleasure to have among us a couple of mentors, board members, 2010 fellows, friends and partners.


After our weekly Friday afternoon training session (this time covering customer segmentation and retention) at the Bain offices, we had a nice walk through Hyde Park to get to Queensway, our final destination for the rest of the day. We started with relaxed drinks at a pub's terrace, followed by a convivial round table Chinese dinner and topped the evening with two intense bowling sessions (where we took over half the alleys in the place!).



Many thanks to Jordyan and Tom E. for organising and to all of those who could make it! We hope to have many other occasions to keep sharing quality time with our team and friends!







9 Mar 2011

McKinsey social enterprise competition

On Purpose is helping to promote and deliver this exciting competition for UK students. There is only just under 2 weeks in which to submit your ideas, so do get thinking!








Calling all social entrepreneurs! Have a great idea and want £5,000 funding?

McKinsey & Company are launching "McKinsey Students in Society 2011" a new social enterprise competition for university students across the United Kingdom. The competition offers a unique opportunity for students to develop project planning and business skills while seeking to make a real difference to society or local communities. To participate, teams of 3-6 students from any UK university will submit short business plans for social enterprises – financially sustainable businesses which are run to meet a social or environmental need.

The first round is a simple online process open now until Monday 21st March. Students submit a compelling social enterprise idea and describe what its impact would be on society. Six national finalists will be selected to develop their ideas in greater detail. These finalists will receive further coaching to develop their plans in preparation for the National Final in London, in May 2011. Our prestigious panel of judges from the private, public and social sectors will select the winning team and host a fun evening for all finalist participants. The winning team will receive seed funding of £5,000 for their social enterprise and ongoing support from McKinsey consultants to help get their idea off the ground.

To find out more and to submit your entry "like us" @ www.facebook.com/MSIS2011 and visit us online @ www.msis2011.mckinsey.com. To find out more about On Purpose's work in Social Enterprise, please visit www.onpurpose.uk.com

So get thinking and good luck!

The MSIS team

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McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm. Our clients call on us as trusted advisors to help solve some of their toughest and most critical challenges. For more information about our company and careers, please go to:
www.mckinsey.com