What is the Social Enterprise Challenge?

Every year, we run a competitive Social Enterprise Challenge. Only the very best of those who apply will be accepted into this competition, which is free of charge to enter, and offers some incredible prizes for the winning teams and individuals. These have included include money-can't-buy internships shadowing successful entrepreneurs, cash prizes, ipads, festival tickets, sports equipment, international internships...not to mention the prestige of winning! 

We offer this opportunity as part of our commitment to improving the entrepreneurial spirit in the UK, and encouraging more people to consider starting up their own business. The Social Enterprise Challenge is all about giving young people a real-life experience of the business world, combined with making a really positive social impact in communities. It helps develop key entrepreneurial skills and gives participants the experience and contacts to kickstart their careers (either in employment or self-employment). 

Going national!

Last year ThanksTo launched the Social Enterprise Challenge in the London region, and in 2011 we have rolled out the Challenge across the UK. Over 6 weeks, selected teams of 5-6 people will be tasked to uncover stories about people or organisations that have made a real impact on their community. The mission is then to get other people to say thanks to them on ThanksTo.com, a site that is all about giving public recognition to people who’ve done great things.

Each team will run their challenge as a ‘mini-business’ on a part time basis, and will be mentored throughout by a successful entrepreneur. The challenge is a unique and exciting introduction to the world of social enterprise and offers practical experience of how to run your own business.

The awards

The winners will be those who are most successful at raising public recognition for the UK’s unsung heroes and display the greatest business acumen. The competition will be judged by a panel of judges that this year includes:

• Doug Richard (Technology House and former Dragon)
• Julie Meyer (Ariadne Capital)
• Paul Lindley (Ella's Kitchen)
• Georgia Arnold (Head of CSR at MTV)
• Oli Barrett (Tenner Tycoon)
• Tim Campbell (Bright Ideas Trust and winner of The Apprentice)
• Andrew Long (Ten Group)
• Rob Hamilton (Instant Offices)
• Michael Hayman (Seven Hills)
• Mike Clare (Dreams Beds)
• Linda Fenwick (Ozone)
• Lara Morgan (Pacific Direct and Company Shortcuts)

The most successful participants will be invited to the awards ceremony in London where they will have the opportunity to meet the judges, mentors and their fellow competitors. The 2011 Challenge is now closed to new applications, but you can view the progress of the Challenge teams by going to www.thanksto.com and browsing campaigns. 

Schools and colleges

Only the applications that we judge to have the most entrepreneurial promise will be accepted into the competition. In addition, the competition is run just once a year. If you are interested in putting multiple groups of young people through this programme, at a time of your own convenience, we recommend you look at purchasing a licence for your school or college. Please see here for more details.