The 2023 Esther’s Preparation Room Social Enterprise Pitch Competition
The purpose of the EPR Social Enterprise Pitch is to empower emerging start-up for profit or non-profit social
entrepreneurs in selected regions by providing a financial grant and business support to help grow and scale their
business in 2023. This year, any female sole entrepreneur or female-led team building an impactful business that
(with less than $10,000 USD in funding) – can apply
How will it Work?
- – You must be a member of EPR Global community and follow all social pages. You must register and pay for the leadership summit on May 18 and 19.
– Complete application form by April 7th, 2023.
– Applications will be reviewed, and 5 finalists will be selected to participate in a virtual “Demo” day.
– On the “Demo” day, each final contestant will pitch their business plan to the investor judges and have a chance to impress them within 5 minutes.
– Top 5 finalist need to be present at the live Leadership Summit – South Africa. Top 5 winners to be announced at this conference.
– The top 5 winners will be selected and announced at the 2023 EPR Leadership Summit – South Africa in May 18th and 19th, 2023 - o First Prize – Social Enterprise Champion- $2500
o Second Place- $1500
o Third Place – $1000
o Fourth Place – $300
o Fifth Place – $300 - – In addition to cash prizes, winners will have access to the SEAP Hub for a year, which includes business coaching and mentorship valued at $8,400.
– Award prizes and business support services will be provided by June 12, 2023
– Total Award prizes will be disbursed 3 times within a 1-year cycle
- – You must be a member of EPR Global community and follow all social pages. You must register and pay for the leadership summit on May 18 and 19.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to be eligible, the business must be in the early stage of the start-up.
– Applicants must be resident in South Africa.
-Have a business, or business idea, with less than $10,000 USD in funding.
– Business must, in the sole discretion of the judges, be creating products that can positively shape the future of society, including those addressing gender and racial equality, clean technology, food and water, fertility, financial inclusion, housing and urban planning, governance and democracy, education, healthcare and other related fields.
– Submit a public 3 min max video and a pitch deck no more than 6 slides as part of the application process.
– Charities are out of scope. Nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply, but it must have trading activities that will generate funds from its products and services, outside of donations or contributions from the public or other organizations.
– Apply and pay for the leadership summit on May 18th & 19th.
– Become a member of the EPR Global community by visiting eprglobal.com (it is free to be a community member).
– Follow our social media pages on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a female start-up or entrepreneur with a business idea that you believe will create a positive impact, you
are invited to be part of this opportunity and turn your vision into reality.
A market based, income generating enterprise with a mission to solve a social or environmental problem through its
activities.
The EPR Social Enterprise Pitch is a business plan competition for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas or
start-ups that use a positive social and environmental impact model. It aims to empower and showcase emerging
social entrepreneurs who will pitch their business idea to a panel of judges to be considered for a grant award.
Participants compete for a prize package including cash, pro-bono services, and the chance to join the EPR Network
as the latest founder of an innovative business idea!
The competition is global, and all demos and activities will take place on a virtual platform. Details regarding the
virtual platform will be provided at a later date.
Be a Social Entrepreneur Pitch Sponsor:
- Sponsors for the pitch will:
– Donate $1,000 $2,500, $5,000 or more towards the prizes and resources for the winners
– Serve as a judge at the virtual “Demo” competition and select the winners
– Provide services such as – Business coaching, mentoring or resources to participants.
Be a Social Entrepreneur Pitch Sponsor:
- Sponsors for the pitch will:
– Donate $1,000 $2,500, $5,000 or more towards the prizes and resources for the winners
– Serve as a judge at the virtual “Demo” competition and select the winners
– Provide services such as – Business coaching, mentoring or resources to participants.
Benefits for Sponsors
- – Official sponsors of the competition
– Logo on Virtual backdrop for competition
– 1 company delegate to sit on judges’ panel
– Quarterly business brand/ video promotion on SM platform
– Official business partner logo on EPR website
– Featured on the virtual production of business pitch
– Media partnership on YouTube channel
– And additional $300 savings on annual cost (on-demands and other sessions)
- – Official sponsors of the competition