What if you had an idea to change the world – could you make it happen? For university students around the world, the answer is YES! I’m thrilled to announce that the 2012 Dell Social Innovation Challenge (DSIC) is kicking off for this year. The Dell Challenge is our partnership with The University of Texas (UT) that provides a unique opportunity for university students from around the world to solve a social or environmental problem. We believe with a supportive community, tools, training, resources and a business venture competition, that any university student can – and should – change the world.
This isn’t a new idea for Dell. Since Michael Dell, our CEO, jumpstarted an IT revolution in his dorm room while at UT, we believe that we can power new possibilities for today’s brightest entrepreneurs through the Dell Challenge. And, it’s working!
During the past six years, more than 3,000 inspiring social innovation projects stemming from 90 countries have been submitted through the Dell Social Innovation Challenge. We’ve provided mentoring, tools and more than $350,000 in cash prizes to teams from around the world.
If you want to learn more about what happens last year during, look at the story of last year‘s">story of last year’s competition or check out the video below:
Now it’s your turn. If you are a university student anywhere in the world and you have an idea that you think can change the world, we want to know. Whether it’s a way to provide struggling communities with clean water or a plan to implement sustainable living techniques across rural areas – when it comes to making a true impact on the world around you, there is no idea too big or too small.
If you’re not a university student, you can still get involved. We want to build our social entrepreneurship community and would love for you to join, share your comments and insight on the student ideas and later on this year, vote on your favorite.
How to submit a project or get involved? Just visit the new website http://dellchallenge.org/ and create your profile. You will then be able to upload all the projects you have and designate the one that you want to be part of the challenge this year. And, once you build your profile, you can start engaging in the community.
For those involved in the competition, not only will you be eligible to win more than $140,000 in cash and prizes, you will get the opportunity to work with an assigned mentor who can help you cultivate your project idea and give you invaluable advice on how to become a successful entrepreneur. All the projects uploaded till February 13, 2012 will be eligible for the Grand Prize.
Please visit Dell.com/DellChallenge to get more information about the Dell Social Innovation Challenge, past winners, and full challenge rules.
Follow the conversation on Twitter : @Dell4Good, #DSIC12
We look forward to seeing what world-changing ideas are in store this year. Good luck and happy innovating!