The tournament runs in two rounds. A Selection Committee comprised mainly of EIB Group experts in innovation, the environment, and other relevant disciplines select 15 finalists. The finalists participate in a tailor-made training program (mentoring boo(s) camp, e-training on pitching and communication techniques, rehearsal days) to provide them with the necessary guidance to finalize their proposals and prepare them for the Deep Dive Pitches (event by invitation only) which will be held on 27 September and where the finalists will present and defend their project to a jury of social innovations specialists. The Spark Moments event, where finalists will pitch to the public, and the Awards Dinner will take place on 28 September.
The winning projects in the General Category and the Special Category will be awarded a first or second prize of €100 000 and €40 000 respectively. In 2023, the Special Category prizes will go to projects focusing on sustainable cities and communities. The grand finale will be held in Stockholm on 27-28 September 2023.
The prizes are awarded by a jury of specialists from the academic and business worlds. The Audience Choice Award of €10,000 will be decoded by the public, based on their votes.
Finalists from all SIT editions become members of the SIT Alumni Network. As members, they benefit from (i) numerous training and capacity-building opportunities such as the Scaling Impact Executive Program, a full-time executive training course focused on scaling, pitching, and engagement with investors, (ii) access to human and financial resources (e.g. a network of EIB Group experts and SIT scholarships, an innovation grants program) and (iii) recognition and visibility (e.g. speak/participate at conferences around Europe to network with investors, venture philanthropists and foundations who can help their project to scale). Furthermore, to explore synergies and complementarities with the growing community of social entrepreneurs supported by the Institute through the SIT, the Institute is supporting the first social incubator in the north of Portugal.
Benefits
- The prizes are awarded by a jury of specialists from the academic and business worlds. The Audience Choice Award of €10,000 will be decoded by the public, based on their votes.
- The winning projects in the General Category and the Special Category will be awarded a first or second prize of €100 000 and €40 000 respectively.
Eligibilities
- the Tournament is open to individuals or teams from (or residing in) the European Union Member States, enlargement countries, and EFTA countries.
- the project proposal has to be implemented in at least one or more such countries as mentioned above.
- only proposals submitted in English will be accepted. All interviews and pitches will be in English.
- after receiving the application, a confirmation email will be sent within 5 working days. Please contact us at [email protected] if you do not receive the confirmation email.
- the 7-minute interview will be canceled if the application package is incomplete or if it doesn’t comply with all the eligibility criteria.
- if the application is not complete, the applicant will be asked to resubmit the full package and reschedule the 7-minute interview.
- if all the documents are not submitted by the deadline, the application will not be considered.
- the contact person should (i) have taken part in the screening video interview, (ii) participate in the mentoring boo(s)t camp and rehearsal days, and (iii) pitch to the Jury at the Deep Dive Pitches and the public at the Spark Moments. A second project member can participate in all the previously mentioned events.
Eligible Regions: European Union Member States, enlargement countries, and EFTA countries.
Application Process
- completed the Application Form: download the application form from their website.
- fill out the Financial Template (excel): download the financial template and explanatory note at their website.
- scheduled your 7-minute interview (time slots are available on working days from 9 to 23 March).
- submitted the full application package to [email protected] (deadline 23 February 2023 23:59 CET).
- Documents sent separately will not be taken into consideration and therefore the application will be considered incomplete.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
