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John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge
Also known as: SNVC, Edwardson SNVC
University of Chicago · Chicago, Illinois
Quick fit check
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
—
Equity
Varies by investment
Application
Annual
Institution Wide
Last activity
2026-07-13
High confidence
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
BallotReady
University of Chicago
Nonpartisan voter guide platform; Social New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago).
Exactics
$135,000
prize won
University of Chicago
Rapid Lyme disease test; $135,000 first place at the 2025 Social New Venture Challenge (UChicago).
Hello Tractor
University of Chicago
Agricultural equipment-sharing platform in Africa; Social New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago).
Lighthouse Solutions
$200,000
prize won
University of Chicago
AI decoy agents to fight human trafficking; $200,000 first place at the 2026 Social New Venture Challenge (UChicago).
LuminAID
University of Chicago
Solar inflatable lights; Social New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago), featured on Shark Tank.
John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge
Social impact track of the NVC, run by Booth's Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation in partnership with the Polsky Center. Now in its 16th year, the SNVC has launched 250+ ventures that have raised $305M+ cumulatively.
Key Details
- 16th year in 2026
- $400K awarded in 2026 ($200K first place)
- SAFE investment model
- Record $475K awarded in 2025
- Run by Rustandy Center + Polsky Center
- 250+ ventures launched cumulatively
- $305M+ raised by SNVC ventures cumulatively
Notable Winners / Outcomes
- LuminAID (solar inflatable lighting for disaster relief)
- Hello Tractor (agriculture tech for African farmers)
- BallotReady (voter information platform)
- Sproxil (anti-counterfeiting technology)
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge at University of Chicago.
1 source
John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC)
University of Chicago
University of Chicago
John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC)
The John Edwardson Social New Venture Challenge is the social impact track of the NVC, run in partnership with the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation. Open to for-profit and nonprofit ventures with a social mission at their core.
Read on University of Chicago