2021 John Edwardson, ‘72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC) Finals

The John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC) has helped to jump-start more than 100 startups that have gone on to raise more than $35 million.

This year’s program will culminate with a virtual event on Tuesday, June 1, with finalist teams presenting to a panel of distinguished judges and competing for at least $150,000 in cash prizes.

Operated by Chicago Booth’s Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation and UChicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge is the social impact track of the University of Chicago’s nationally ranked business launch program, the New Venture Challenge. The startup competition is the cornerstone of the Rustandy Center’s Edwardson Social Entrepreneurship Program, a university initiative named in recognition of a 2016 gift by John Edwardson, ’72. Edwardson is retired chairman and CEO of technology solutions provider CDW and co-chair of Advance Illinois, an independent statewide education organization.