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Opening remarks to a packed room at the 2026 finals

March 1, 2026, Koret Pavilion, Stanford

The 2026 finals

The first Stanford Social Impact Entrepreneurship Competition, hosted by Hillel at Stanford with Stanford ASES, raised $42,500 and drew 44 student ventures. Five finalists pitched live at the Koret Pavilion to a full room and a panel of investors and social entrepreneurs.

$42,500
Raised
44
Ventures applied
5
Finalists pitched
$30,000
Awarded to the winner

Foliage

Niko Ustin pitching Foliage, the winning venture of the 2026 finals

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.

Grand prize
$30,000
Founder session
60 minutes

Photos from the finals

Student organizers welcoming guests to the 2026 competition
Student organizers welcoming guests to the 2026 competition
A finalist pitching to the judges and the room
A finalist pitching to the judges and the room
A finalist team thanking the people who helped them
A finalist team thanking the people who helped them
Opening remarks at the start of the 2026 finals
Opening remarks at the start of the 2026 finals
Judges listening to a finalist pitch
Judges listening to a finalist pitch
The finals seen from the back of the room
The finals seen from the back of the room
A finalist team walking through their implementation plan
A finalist team walking through their implementation plan
Guests listening to the pitches
Guests listening to the pitches

Partners

  • Hillel at Stanford
  • Stanford ASES
  • Taube Philanthropies
  • Koret Foundation
  • Lubetzky Family Foundation
  • Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
  • Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

Apply for 2027

Applications close February 1, 2027 at 11:59 pm Pacific, and are open to students at any university.

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