
Overall there is an estimated $2.5 trillion annual funding gap towards the UN SDGs as a whole. Yet versus global financial flows this figure represents a drop in the ocean. Hence, it is critical to galvanise private capital towards solving these global challenges. Indeed, Education is the cornerstone of sustainable development and investing in education is associated with a demonstrably positive multiplier effect towards achieving many of the other SDGs.
Credit Suisse is committed to applying our longstanding expertise in the philanthropic education sector to assisting for-profit enterprises that have SDG 4 – Quality Education for all – at the heart of their operations. Having launched our Global Education Initiative in 2008, which has been the central umbrella supporting all of the firm’s philanthropic activities across the globe, Credit Suisse has gained significant insight into the most effective ways to contribute to meaningful and systemic change in education. Over the past decade, we have partnered with organisations such as Plan International, Aflatoun International, Room to Read and the Roger Federer Foundation to advance best-in-class education initiatives. Credit Suisse also has a long legacy in Impact Investing, having celebrated 15 years of Investing for Impact in 2017 and with the creation of the Impact Advisory and Finance Department with a truly global mandate.
By combining our expertise in the fields of Education and Impact Investing, with this contest Credit Suisse is aiming to support for-profit enterprises operating towards SDG 4. The winning business plan will not only receive the prize funding from Credit Suisse, but will also receive mentoring and non-financial support including the opportunity to be part of the Credit Suisse Global Citizens programme which provides opportunities for Credit Suisse employees to lend their time and skills to support our partners in the field.
Credit Suisse is proud to support the Lead 2030 Challenge for SDG 4. The Challenge aims to surface and support impactful enterprises that look to further narrow the gap in achieving SDG 4. Credit Suisse welcomes entrepreneurs with for-profit enterprises in the field of education to submit their business plan for consideration.
Our challenge welcomes submissions that are directly or indirectly tied to making an impact on education broadly defined. We are open to considering businesses targeting primary, secondary and higher education as well as those focused on vocational education, skills based training, education themes such a STEM or simply addressing the infrastructure of education.
We are looking for businesses with the following criteria:
- For-profit enterprises fostering innovation, creativity and critical thinking in the Education space.
- Enterprises with sound business models that are or have the potential to be financially viable in the long term as well as having a measurable social impact towards improving Education.
Examples include (but are not limited to) businesses focused on:
- Education systems
- Education technology (Edtech)
- Providing or facilitating access to education
- Enhancing the measurement of outcomes/impact of education investments
- Creative funding models for education.
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel comprised of Credit Suisse personnel, education specialists, and investors.
The winning solution will receive
- A $50,000 grant from Credit Suisse
- 12 months of mentorship from a team of Credit Suisse employees and partners. The mentorship team will work to accelerate your solution by assisting with aspects such as:
- Business strategy
- Best practices for data collection
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Product design
- Marketing
Application deadline: 5 January 2019
Visit the official link
Related Posts
- World Water Challenge 2018
World Water Challenge is an international contest for water solutions. As a follow up activity of…
- Fully Funded Education Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education and Leadership
Promoting equity and acknowledging difference have long been significant educational aims, but are now…
- UCL Institute of Education remains first for Education in QS subject rankings
UCL Institute of Education (IOE) has been ranked as the world number one for Education…
- BlueTech Challenge
Applications are invited from business models that apply new technologies or solutions to foster the…
- Eight Internship and Job Vacancies at the Education Development Center (EDC)
Listed below are eight internship and job vacancies at the Education Development Center (EDC). Click…
- Ministry of Education awards foreigners to Taiwan for short-term studies
The Ministry of Education has set up a Ministry of Education Award to assist foreigners…
- Girls’ Education Development Grant: Call for Letters of Interest
The Stone Family Foundation is seeking letters of interest for a two-year project in a…
- UNDP and UNESCO IATI research challenge for journalists
UNDP and UNESCO are jointly launching the “IATI Research Challenge for Journalists” – a research…
- African Union invites submissions for Innovating Education in Africa EXPO
Education and training remain among the bedrocks for human empowerment, inclusive prosperity and progressive development.…
- Three (3) PhD student position in Sociology of Education, Uppsala University
The full-time employment will be on a temporary basis for a period of four years…