The Investing in Inclusion Pitch Competition provides an avenue for aspiring entrepreneurs to apply innovative problem-solving and start-up methodology to issues of exclusion, marginalization and belonging in the workplace. We invite all UC Berkeley graduate and undergraduate students and their teams to participate.
The competition is intended for ventures in the early-stage of development and is an opportunity to refine business models and product solutions, conduct market research, present findings, and pitch to real investors and experts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. $10,000 in prizes are awarded to the top teams who demonstrate a vision and potential to generate a positive impact.
The competition aligns innovation and inclusion, and accepts ideas that focus on one, or more, of the following areas:
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Gender/gender identity
- Socioeconomic status
- Intellectual/mental/physical disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Former incarceration.
The top prize of 2021 was awarded to The Equity Network. Founded by Harvard Business students, The Equity Network is a networking platform that seeks to help Black, Latinx, and Indigenous American college students connect with professionals in their desired fields at no cost. The platform allows students and young professionals to book 1:1 office hours with advisors in the professional workforce and help dismantle the network gap barrier. Learn more about The Equity Network here.
To learn more about prior competitions and teams visit our blog: 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018