Fowler GSIC Brochure (Digital)

BIG IDEAS, BOLD SOLUTIONS.

EMPOWERING REFUGEES THROUGH DIGITAL EDUCATION Using the Fowler GSIC as a platform, Casey was able to secure funding that allowed her to accelerate the launch of her social venture, One Digital World, which is focused on helping women in refugee camps build English, computer, and internet skills to prepare for employment and better economic opportunities.

“It is because of the networking connections made and the direction of the coaches that I am now opening the second international location in Mexico. The seed funding that we won from the Fowler GSIC went towards our first location in Greece, where we now have 184 graduates and counting from the ODW course.�

CASEY MYERS Founder, One Digital World 2019 Fowler GSIC Participant

T H E F OW L E R G LO B A L S O C I A L I N N OVAT I O N C H A L L E N G E

YOU ARE THE CHANGEMAKER The Fowler GSIC inspires student entrepreneurs around the world to connect and create sustainable business solutions to global issues. Since 2011, we’ve connected more than 2,500 students from 17 countries around the world — including Australia, South Korea, Rwanda, Ireland, Mexico and Peru — recognizing their outstanding social ventures based on positive impact and financial sustainability. To date we’ve distributed more than $400,000 to seed the most innovative and promising global ventures. And this is just the beginning.

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HOW IT WORKS The Fowler GSIC is for the trailblazers, the dreamers, the doers. It was designed for those who can see a solution where others mostly see a challenge. Whether your passion lies in helping alleviate hunger or stopping environmental degradation, the Fowler GSIC invites you to engage with one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by developing an innovation that responds to an environmental or social challenge at the local or global level.

CONFIRM C R E AT E

that your university is an enrolled partner a team with 1-5 members

A N A LY Z E

a social or environmental challenge of your choice

PROPOSE

and validate a potential solution

P I TC H

your idea for up to $50,000 in seed funding

ideate

develop

pitch

“The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge gave me the opportunity to rapidly transform a mere idea into a viable venture, and the guidance to focus each aspect of this venture on a targeted social impact. My favorite part of the challenge, though, was interacting with like-minded students from around the world and hearing how they are innovating positive change in their corners of the globe.”

AU S T I N H I R S H Founder, The 2050 Company 2019 Fowler GSIC Participant and Audience Choice Runner-Up

The 2050 Company rescues good and even slightly “unattractive” fruits and vegetables from being thrown out by farms and other produce venues, freeze-dries them, and grinds them down into a powder that — with a little ice and water — turns into easy-to-make refreshing and healthy smoothies.

HOW TO JOIN AND ADVA N C E IN T HE FOW LER G SIC The Fowler GSIC is held each year starting with registration by November and culminating in the Global Finals in June of the following year. Along the way, students nurture an idea from inspiration to practical application, meet and network with changemakers from around the world, and gain tools, mentorship and up to $50,000+ in seed funding.

R E G I S T R AT I O N

ROUND 2

G LO B A L F I N A L S

Your university registers to participate in the Fowler GSIC

Students propose how their venture will solve the problem

Finalists pitch their proposed solutions in-person or virtually

End of November

Early May

Mid-June

ROUND 1

SELECTION

Students submit an analysis of the problem they want to address

Students’ home university holds an internal competition to advance two finalist teams to the Global Finals

End of February

Early May

2020 PARTICIPANTS

PA R T N E R U N I V E R S I T I E S University of St. Thomas University of San Diego

PA R T I C I PAT I N G U N I V E R S I T I E S Australian Catholic University CETYS Universidad, Campus Tijuana Davis College Akilah Campus Duke University Ewha Womans University Fordham University Haverford College Heritage Christian College Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración International Islamic University Malaysia National University of Management (International College) NewSchool of Architecture & Design North Dakota State University Rollins College San Diego State University S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research Sunway University Thammasat University, School of Global Studies The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Trinity University Dublin Universidad de Antioquia Universidad de Las Américas Universidad del Desarrollo Universidad del Pacífico Universidad Francisco de Vitoria University of California, San Diego University of Kentucky University of Minnesota University of Texas at Austin

T H E G LO B A L F IN A LS

WHERE VISIONARIES CONVERGE At the Global Finals, the top two teams from each participating university come together on one campus to pitch their proposed solutions in a life-changing 3-day experience. Teams bond with like-minded visionaries from around the world, as well as innovation leaders and enthusiasts, and return home with invaluable new connections, experience, and potentially the funding necessary to accelerate the launch or growth of their social ventures.

“The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge was hands-down the most impactful experience I had while attending USD. The contest taught me how to creatively respond to our world's most pressing challenges, while leading from a place of passion and purpose.�

JESSICA TISHUE Founder, Bliss Foods 2011 Fowler GSIC Finalist

Bliss Foods makes the first-ever edible superfood bowls and cups that replace the need for single-use bowls, plates, cutlery, and cups. Inspired by the amount of waste Jessica saw being produced by single-use plastics, Bliss Foods was founded to spark a culture of wonderment while improving the health of our planet.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY

“It was amazing to meet colleagues and innovators from around the world. The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge enhanced our confidence and spirit as young entrepreneurs.�

E VA N S KWA R KY E Leader, Team Charcoal 2018 Fowler GSIC Winner

Team Charcoal, from Ghana, is working to convert human excreta into charcoal to reduce its health hazard and environmental impact. Additionally, charcoal is used by a majority of the Ghanan population for cooking purposes. This factory (pictured) is a major milestone that will help their social venture succeed and, in doing so, improve the health of countless Ghanan residents.

F RE Q UE NT LY ASKE D

QUESTIONS Who can participate in the Fowler GSIC? The Fowler GSIC is open to all visionaries who aspire to make an impact by tackling the world’s greatest challenges head-on. Additionally, students must be from degree- and diploma-granting postsecondary education institutions that register for that year’s Challenge. Any current, full-time student of a participating university/institution can join individually or as part of a team— with a maximum of five members per team. At least one team member must be a current undergraduate/postgraduate/doctoral student at any of the participating institutions. The rest of the team members can be from any walk of life.

What resources are provided to help students succeed in the Fowler GSIC? As part of The Rockefeller Foundation-Acumen Student Social Innovation Challenge, we are thrilled to offer The Student Resource Library to our participants — an online portal that aggregates resources from Acumen courses. In addition to The Student Resource Library, students and administrators are provided with tools, guides, and other instruction to successfully promote and implement the initial rounds of the Challenge.

What do the most successful teams have in common?

For starters, they fully understand the problem landscape and have identified the current players and/or stakeholders that are currently attempting to address the problem. Additionally, they have identified risks associated with their proposed social venture and how they would mitigate them, and they have a defined financial model that doesn’t rely on fundraising.

Q

How can I register my university?

We would love to connect with you to learn more about you and your university. Registration is open online from July through November. Visit sandiego.edu/cpc to learn more and get your university signed up.

THE TEAM The team that manages the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge consists of educators, entrepreneurs, and social innovators who are dedicated to providing a valuable experience to the students, university partners, and supporters.

“The people here at the Kroc School have been more than welcoming, more than accommodating, and this has truly been a friendly and familial experience. For me as the director of a social entrepreneurship program, I have learned so much about where our students can go, what their options are, and how much this experience has meant to them.�

SERENITY WRIGHT Gatton Honors Pathway Director, University of Kentucky 2019 Fowler GSIC University Participant

BRING YOUR LIFE-CHANGING IDEAS TO THE WORLD. sandiego.edu/global-innovation