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FAQs

Q: What do you mean by “Social Return on Investment”?

This is a key difference between the E-Challenge and Social E-Challenge. The Social E-Challenge focuses on social impact. Social entrepreneurship can take on a variety of forms, and the way that social return on investment is calculated will vary from venture to venture. Thus, we do not explicitly offer a formula or metric to use — rather, we want to see your thought process in formulating a numeric figure for social return on investment.

The Social Venture Technology Group, with Sara Olsen and Brett Galimidi, is dedicated to helping organizations measure and manage social returns analysis. Click here to view a presentation they made about Social Returns Analysis.

SVT also contributed to a report on Assessing Social Impact in Double Bottom Line Ventures – Methods Catalog, in which nine methodologies for evaluating social impact is explored, including the Acumen McKinsey scorecard used by Acumen Fund. This appendix in this document includes examples of SROI analysis that could be instructive to learn from.

Another resource is BlendedValue.org, who has written about the idea of ‘blended value’, as in, a blend between enterprise and social mission.

Another example of Acumen’s SROI analysis can be seen in this quick example here.

Q: I have submitted my business plan to other competitions. Can I still compete in the Social E-Challenge?

Yes, as long as your venture has not received more than $50,000 in total funding or cash awards.

Q: If I enter the Social E-Challenge, am I restricted from entering the E-Challenge?

Not at all. You can enter both competitions, but if your venture makes it past the first round of both challenges, then you must choose either the Social E-Challenge or E-Challenge to advance in.

Please note that you must submit your executive summary via YouNoodle separately to each competition.

Q: Can I be a member of multiple Social E-Challenge teams?

Yes, but you must decide a single venture to be part of if more than one of your ventures advance to the 2nd round.

Q: Do I meet the eligibility guidelines if I graduated from a university other than Stanford less than 5 years ago, but I did graduate from Stanford more than 5 years ago?

At least person must be a current student or recent graduate (within 5 years) from Stanford.

Q: How long can the executive summary be?

The executive summary can be a maximum of two pages. Please look at the Submission Instructions for formatting information.

Q: I have previously entered the Social E-Challenge. Can I apply this year?

Yes, you can re-enter the competition. Please note that if your venture makes it to the final round, the judges will be notified that the venture has previously entered the Social E-Challenge.

Q: My venture is for-profit.  Can I still compete in the Social E-Challenge?

Yes, you can enter the competition with a for-profit or a non-profit venture, but remember that you must show a social or environmental impact in your executive summary in either case.