Students to find viable solutions to world’s problems

March 18, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — More than 60 University of Florida students will learn how to turn their visions of tackling some of the world’s toughest social, environmental and economic problems into viable, sustainable solutions.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19, at Hough Hall on the UF campus, the UF Youth Venture Changemaker Summit will feature a series of interactive workshops on social entrepreneurship, venture creation, market analysis and the art of the pitch. The event is free, but students must have preregistered to attend the workshops.

“This summit is for young social entrepreneurs who are excited by ventures like Toms Shoes, Kiva and Teach for America,” said Kristin Joos, coordinator of the UF Innovative Sustainability & Social Impact Initiative, which is partnering with Ashoka’s Youth Venture to host the event. “For those who want to ‘do good by doing well,’ this is the place to learn how to launch ventures to create positive change in the world.”

Summit participants will discover innovative marketing tools that can be adapted to a wide variety of projects. They will learn how to effectively leverage their personal story to market their ideas and create an action plan for developing their venture.

Two weeks after the summit, participants will be invited to participate in the 1st Annual UF Youth Venture Changemaker Challenge by submitting their Action Plan to a panel of esteemed six judges (including UF alumni entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs as well as UF Vice President of Business Affairs Ed Poppel) for the chance to win a $1,000 seed grant.