The $25,000 Ideas for Impact Challenge

Spring Into Action is sponsoring the Ideas for Impact challenge because we are passionate about creating jobs for people who want to work, but who face significant barriers to employment (i.e. the formerly incarcerated, recovering addicts, and homeless people). We want to start a business in the New York City area, and we need your help in finding the right one. And we don't need a business plan!

Here's Your Challenge:

Envision a business that can be consistently profitable in the New York City area, while creating meaningful employment opportunities for people who need a second chance in life.

We need ideas for a business that:

1
Makes money because it satisfies a market need
2
Requires no more than $1 million to break even
3
Creates low skill jobs with career growth opportunities

Prizes & Deadlines:

Challenge Entry
Deadline
February 15, 2011
Top 5 Semi-Finalists
Announced
April 1, 2011
$5,000 Noble Prize
For Social Impact
Awarded
June 1, 2011
$20,000 Launch
Bonus
Awarded if and when
the business opens

About Spring Info Action

Spring Into Action is a social enterprise founded by Andy Potash that builds and grows businesses in the New York City area to employ people who need a second chance in life: formerly incarcerated, recovering addicts, and/or homeless people.

Our initial venture would have been New York City's first responsible mattress recycler. Unfortunately the bed bug

epidemic put this project to rest for the time being. You can read about this 1.5 year long epic at our blog.

After briefly licking our wounds, we are more enthusiastic than ever to find a new business, and we're confident that with your help, it will be even better in the end.

If you have any questions or need to contact us, please feel free to email us at ideas@springintoactionnyc.com

Andy's Message

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Who Can Apply?

Any individuals or teams who are interested in using business to change the world! The only eligibility requirements are that each entrant:

1
Is over the age of 18, and
2
Agrees to the Challenge Rules

You're one step closer to taking the challenge!

We are open to receiving any and all ideas, be it a spark or a well thought out business plan. Keep in mind though that the better you describe your business idea, the more likely we are to see the genius of it. It's also important to emphasize that while we're open to hearing about ideas that work in other cities, the winning idea will be a business that we can launch in the New York City area.

When thinking through your
idea, remember that we're
looking for a business that:

1
Makes money because it satisfies a market need
2
Requires no more than $1 million to break even
3
Creates low skill jobs with career growth opportunities

Applicant Information:

Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Employer / University

Job Function

Number Of Team Members
(if applicable)

The Business Idea:

Answer the following questions about an idea that meets the challenge criteria:

1: A Brief Description

What is the business, and how does it work?

2: The Problem

What problem does the business solve?

3: The Customers

Who are the target customers?
How many are there?
Why would they buy this product or service from us?

4: The Competition

Who are the competitors?

5: Job Creation

How does this business create jobs with opportunities for career growth for our employees?

6: Involvement

What is your ideal involvement with this idea? Select one:

a. No one knows this idea better than me so I'd want to lead the startup of this idea.
b. I want to be involved, but I prefer if the Spring Info Action team leads the startup.
c. I'm glad to suggest this idea, but I do not wish to be involved in the startup.
d. Other. (Explain)

7: Bonus!

For bonus points, you can attach other files here (excel docs, etc.)

Select a file:

By checking this box, I certify that I (and on behalf of teammate(s) when applicable) meet the eligibility requirements, and agree to the Official Challenge Rules / Privacy Policy.

Check this box if you are a StartingBloc Fellow.

Take the challenge!

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, feel free to email us at:
ideas@springintoactionnyc.com