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What is it about? Many SMEs, including social businesses, are searching for more dynamic financial resources to support growth and expansion, as opposed to using only public funds or Grants from the Government. The funding competition aims to connect venture capitalists with Singapore small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that integrate fundamental values of the LOHAS way in their business model. Through this competition, businesses that fit into the LOHAS way can be funded by the venture capitalists, so that they can expand their positive contributions to the society. |
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The objectives of this competition include: • Build the operational capacity of promising businesses that support the LOHAS way • Generate positive impact on society through the expanded operations of these businesses • Provide a platform for youths to gain profound understanding of the essential elements of businesses • Engage youths in generating individualistic, creative and innovative business ideas to maintain the sustainability of the nature. Overview
The 1st part of this competition is to conduct a market research on the SMEs in Singapore and identify the SMEs in the LOHAS industries. After that, the undergraduates will work along with the selected SMEs to formulate a new business proposal or to enhance the current LOHAS business model. 5 teams will have the chance to pitch their ideas to the venture capitalists during the 1st Asian LOHAS Forum, which tentatively set on 1st March 2012. |
Duration
19th September 2011 - 1st March 2012
AIESEC (pronounced "eye-sek", originally an acronym for Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales) is the largest global youth organisation that develops leadership capabilities through their internal leadership programmes and engaging students and graduates in international student exchange and internship programmes for profit and non-profit organisations. As of November 2010, the AIESEC network includes over 50,000 members in 107 countries and territories, making it the largest youth-run organisation in the world. It is present in over 1,600 universities across the globe, provides more than 10,000 leadership experiences to its members and sends students and graduates on 10,000 international exchanges yearly.
There are diverse perspectives around social entrepreneurship and the various expressions of social entrepreneurship (social enterprise being just one of them) that exist globally. The following is a guiding definition:
The Project Embedded (PED) Team and Group members are student volunteers, leaders and change agents who have worked together to take PED to new heights in its relatively short life. PED has some wonderfully talented people taking event concepts to the forefront of industry standards. All members are undergraduates or postgraduates enrolled in National University of Singapore and are actively involved in the activities of the local AIESEC chapter. The year 2011 opens new opportunities for the team as we look forward to activating greater active youth participation in social entrepreneurial activities, thereby spreading the spirit of social entrepreneurship.
PBOX is the acronym for Project Based On eXchange. A PBOX is a project based on a particular socio-economic issue incorporating the elements of the AIESEC Experience. The project explores a social issue/topic that is relevant locally and globally. In the process, it generates incoming and outgoing student exchanges across nations, organizes events to create impact on society, develop participating members on their knowledge and skills and creates a continual leadership pipeline for project sustainability.