Start a Successful Business and Reduce Poverty
Do you have a vision of starting a successful business that decreases poverty but don’t have the resources to do so? The Business in Development (BiD) Challenge is the world’s first international business plan competition for poverty reduction and profit.
The BiD Challenge 2006 is offering €150.000 in start-up finance for the winning proposal that combines an income generating business with poverty reduction in a feasible way. Finalists can win up to €25.000 for their business plan.
The winnings may be used for a pilot project, feasibility study or to start up your business. You may submit a plan for an established business if it entails a new product-market-combination or up-scaling of your operations for greater development potential.
All participants who win receive access to materials to help write a solid business plan and concrete feedback from experts and individualized professional coaching. Also, winners will gain exposure to experts, media, partners and investors through participating in the BiD Network.
The BiD Challenge 2006 was created and is managed by the National Commission for International Development of the Netherlands as part of a government project to raise awareness of development issues.
The first BiD Challenge was a success: 80 full-fledged business plans were developed and over 20 BiD entrepreneurs have already started their businesses. Take this opportunity to present your plan and get access to the expertise, experience, finance and networking that you need to start your business.
The deadline for the first round is March 20th. All queries must be written in English.
Reprinted with permission from Rainforest Alliance.