The Staples Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition

Deadline: Sept. 20, 2010

The fourth annual Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition is sponsored by Ashoka’s Youth Venture® and Staples, in order to celebrate the stories of young changemakers around the world who are creating positive impact through their youth-led ventures.

The global competition is open to young people between the ages of 12 and 24 who have launched their own youth-led ventures. We’re looking for amazing youth to share how their work demonstrates exceptionally inspirational changemaking, particularly in areas of empathy, teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Nominations and entries will be accepted on a rolling basis through Sept. 20, 2010. Eight winners will be chosen throughout the summer, and in October, the grand-prize winner will be selected for their outstanding impact, innovation and potential. All eight winners will be recognized at a TEDx conference, a national gathering of thought leaders devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading," on Nov. 13, 2010 in Washington, DC.

During the TEDxYSE conference, the grand-prize winning team will be announced and presented with the Staples/Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneurship Excellence Award and a prize worth $5,000. The seven remaining winners will receive Achievement Awards and prizes worth $500. The grand-prize winning team will have the unique opportunity to consult with, and draw from the expertise of high-level Staples executives. All eight winning teams will get the opportunity to meet with an Ashoka Fellow - one of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. Ashoka Fellows are known for their unrivaled commitment to bold ideas and innovative solutions.

For additional information and to nominate youth, please visit the competition website at: http://www.genv.net/en-us/staples-yse