West Chester Social Innovation Competition
About the program · 2 linked sources
Themed pitch competition focused on ventures addressing social and environmental problems aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by Cottrell Center with Office of Sustainability, Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact, and PRME. Gold Sponsor: TD Bank.
Also known as: WCU Social Innovation Competition, Social Innovation Challenge
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-24); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$5,000
Prize
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2025-11-07
High confidence
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Reminders
West Chester Social Innovation Competition
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Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
West Chester Social Innovation Competition
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Application and Timing
Annual cycle. First round idea submissions via Startup Tree. Historically February deadline (e.g., 2024: Feb 26 at 11:59 pm) with final pitch event in spring. Social Innovation Challenge format also held as shorter event (Nov 7, 2025, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM, CBPM Room 101).
Participants
Open to WCU undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Teams of 1-4 members. Multiple idea submissions allowed.
Funding and Equity
$5,000 total prize package. Specific per-place amounts not publicly specified. No equity indicated; non-dilutive prize money.
Recent Activity
- 2025 (Nov 7): Social Innovation Challenge held with $5,000 prize pool.
- 2024: Annual competition cycle with Feb 26 deadline.
- 2023-2026: Multiple news articles highlight winners and campus entrepreneurs.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Historical winners (research notes)
- Second Hand Celebrations — student venture by Karaman, top prize in Social Innovation Competition (re-use/celebration goods).
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
- Precise prize distribution (per-place amounts) not specified.
- Full list of winners across all years not compiled.
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
- Social Innovation Competition official site.[1]
- Cottrell Center programs page.[2]
- Research report.[3]
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting West Chester Social Innovation Competition at West Chester University.
2 sources
West Chester University
Cottrell Center Programs Page
Cottrell Center programs page listing Entrepreneur in Residence (since 2010, annual, Bronwyn Martin 2025-2026), Business Idea Challenge (annual, Meridian Bank sponsor), Social Innovation Challenge ($5,000 pool, Nov 7, 2025), Global Entrepreneurship Week, CEO entrepreneurship club, Saxbys student-run cafe, and past Santander programs.
Read on West Chester University
Social Innovation Competition Site
West Chester University / Cottrell Center
West Chester University / Cottrell Center
Social Innovation Competition Site
Official Social Innovation Competition site. $5,000 total prize package. Open to WCU students, alumni, faculty, staff. Must address UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by Cottrell Center, Office of Sustainability, Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact, PRME. Gold Sponsor: TD Bank.
Read on West Chester University / Cottrell Center