The premier pitch competition at Stanford, now open to the world.
Student founders from around the world are applying to pitch their social impact ventures live at Stanford.
Applications close in
Due Feb 1, 11:59 pm PT
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2026 winner
Foliage
Made possible by our 2026 donors
Meet our donors and partners
What's new in 2027
The Stanford Social Impact Entrepreneurship Competition is a pitch competition for student founders building ventures with a social or environmental mission.
Open to studentseverywhere
For the first time, student founders from any college or university, anywhere in the world, can apply.
- Teams of one to six
- Any stage, from idea to launched
- Nonprofit, for-profit or public benefit
Twelve finalists,two rounds
Finalists pitch live at Stanford on March 8, 2027 in three groups of four. The three group winners then pitch again in front of everyone.
- Finalists announced February 12
- Every finalist places, 1st through 12th
- Winners announced that day
Flown to Stanfordto meet investors
Finalists from outside the Bay Area are flown to Stanford, where they compete for prize funding and meet top investors in their field.
- Travel covered for finalists
- Prize funding for every placement
- A day with investors and operators
Scored on apublished rubric
Every application and every pitch is scored against the same rubric, and you can read it before you apply.
- A written rubric for applications
- A presentation rubric for finals day
- Each scored out of 100
Key dates
Now
Applications open
Apply on this site with short answers, your business plan and an optional 1-minute video. Your draft saves as you go.
February 1, 2027
Applications close
Everything is due at 11:59 pm Pacific.
February 12, 2027
12 finalists announced
Every applicant hears from us by email, and finalists are invited to Stanford.
March 8, 2027
Finals at Stanford
Two rounds of live pitches, with winners announced that day.
2026 in numbers
The first competition, run by Hillel at Stanford and Stanford ASES for Stanford students.
- $42,500
- Raised for prizes and the event
- 44
- Student ventures applied
- 5
- Finalists pitched live
- $30,000
- Awarded to the winner
2026 winner
Foliage
Founded by Niko Ustin
Foliage uses AI and satellite imagery to predict wildfire risk from trees near power lines, so utilities can send inspectors where they matter most. Niko pitched it as repairing the system that causes wildfires, not just their aftermath.
Foliage took home $30,000 and an hour with Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND.
See the 2026 finals in photosWho should apply
The competition is rooted in tikkun olam, the Jewish call to repair the world, and open to students of every background and faith, from any university. Nonprofits, social enterprises, technology and new models for change are all welcome, at any stage.
- Climate and sustainability
- Food access
- Health and mental health
- Education and opportunity
- Refugee and immigrant support
- Reducing hate, building community
Common questions
Can't find your answer? Send us a note and we'll reply by email.
Do I need to be a Stanford student?
No. The 2027 competition is open to student founders from colleges and universities around the world.
How does finals day work?
The 12 finalists are split into three groups of four, and each group pitches to its own panel of judges. The winner of each group then pitches to everyone in a final round, where the judges rank them first, second and third. Everyone else places 4th to 6th, 7th to 9th or 10th to 12th, by where they finished in their group.
My idea is early. Should I still apply?
Yes. Judges look at impact, feasibility and originality, not revenue. Early ventures with strong thinking behind them do well.
Does the prize take equity?
No. Prize money is not an investment, and the competition takes no equity in your venture.
Apply by February 1
Applications close February 1, 2027 at 11:59 pm Pacific, and are open to students at any university.
Questions first? Read the FAQ