The Indian School of Business (ISB), recently launched its “3rd ISB iDiya Challenge,” a competition that aims to be a launch-pad for high-impact and self-sustaining social businesses in India. Initiated in 2009, iDiya is targeted exclusively at working professionals and focuses on business ideas that create a measurable social impact. The event this year was graced by Shaheen Mistri, Founder, Teach for India and Akanksha Foundation, and  Gul Panag, former Miss India Universe and Founder, Social Outreach Accreditation Program, better known as SOAP.

 

Both speakers expressed their enthusiasm and belief in the potential of a competition such as ISB iDiya to bring to life strong social ideas and ventures. They also shared with the students their vision for the future of social entrepreneurship in the country and the opportunities and challenges that stand before our generation.

The launch event signals the commencement of applications from teams across the country. After several rounds of selection and interviews, ten teams will be invited to the ISB campus for an intensive week-long boot camp where industry experts, entrepreneurs and the School’s distinguished faculty will train and coach them for challenges they would face in realising and executing their ideas. The winners and runners-up will receive cash prizes worth Rs 3 lakhs. iDiya has also partnered with key venture capitalist funds to seed up to  Rs 10 lakhs for a specific category of ideas.

Participants can log onto the ISB Web site www.isb.edu/idiya to register and submit ideas. The registration and idea submission process is open from August, 1 2011 till September 1, 2011.