FAQ about Be a Change
What is it?
Program that helps people start social enterprises. It includes virtual collaboration of 2 months and an event of 2,5 days and features a business concept competition.
See also FAQ about social entrepreneurship
When is it?
Virtual collaboration 26.8.-26.10. and event 30.10.-1.11.
What is it?
Program that helps people start social enterprises. It includes virtual collaboration of 2 months and an event of 2,5 days and features a business concept competition.
See also FAQ about social entrepreneurship
When is it?
Virtual collaboration 26.8.-26.10. and camp 30.10.-1.11.
For whom is it?
For people interested in societal issues and/or entrepreneurship from Finland and abroad. Some of these people want to start their own socially relevant business, having already a business idea and a business plan draft for it. Some want to start a business but don't have an idea yet and want to check out new ideas they could grab. Some don't want to start their own business at all but want to share their ideas or knowledge to support others in starting theirs and/or learn more about social entrepreneurship on the way.
What if I get a good business idea during the camp and I'd like to start working on it myself?
You just do so. Just inform that you are working with the idea so that others who are interested can join you. You can participate those sessions you find necessary and book meetings at the resource fair to help you.
How can I use this platform for networking and idea development?
Try everything out and find some tips here.
What if I already have a business idea?
You can submit a business plan draft for it by 1.10. Then you are in the business plan competition and will get feedback for your draft from the Grand Jury. You can also publish a description of your idea here so that all participants can give you their suggestions and contact you if they are interested in working with you. At the camp you can finalize your business plan with the help of the sessions and the resource fair where you can ask questions from experts.
Can I participate the competition if I have a socially relevant business idea but the best way to make it happen would be to make start an NGO?
Be a Change aims to raise the issue of for-profit sector making a difference in society. Awarding NGO ideas does not serve that purpose. But if you want to make your NGO successful and practice it entrepreneurially and ethically, you should definitely participate, because all the business experts who are there for your questions and all the networks you can make during those 3 days will make a difference in how well your NGO will perform.
What if somebody else grabs an idea that I'd want to grab?
Negotiate about working together. Together you could make the idea bigger and have even more impact with it. Or work separately with the same idea but different focus. If any negotiated agreement is impossible for you to reach, the fairest solution becomes that the one who first marked the idea as one that they're working with, can grab it.
Has something like this been done before?
Social innovation Camp in UK: http://www.sicamp.org. The difference was that all the business ideas developed there were based on Web 2.0.
Can I participate virtual collaboration only?
Yes, you just register to beachange.org but don't apply for the camp. You have still opportunity to win a prize if there are partners rewarding best ideas fulfilling certain criteria and you post that kind of an idea.
What happens to virtual collaboration 1.10. (deadline of submitting business plan drafts)?
It is encouraged to continue throughout October although business plan drafts have already been submitted. Maybe you generate a new idea and find a team to make a business plan for it with you so that you can pitch the idea on Friday evening and win the best new idea price.
What happens to resource fair on Saturday?
All stands may not be there anymore. It will be informed, what stands there are and when.
