Teams may choose to enter the general NVC category or one of this year’s four NVC tracks: Cleantech, Information Technology, Music, or Social Enterprise. Teams must choose one track in which to compete. Each track accepts submissions and holds a semi-final competition. Winners of each track can win cash prizes and move on to NVC Finals for a chance to take home additional cash prizes! Teams should check the tracks' webpages for entry information, deadlines and additional details specific to the general and specialized tracks of the NVC. Links listed below.

What track should you choose? Information to assist teams in choosing a contest track:

General Category:

  For any business venture idea, including those not specializing in one of the four NVC tracks described below. Go here for more info: http://cunvc.org/tracks/general-business-category/. For more info, email info@cunvc.org Submissions due: 11:59PM, March 15, 2012

Cleantech Track:

  The Cleantech Track supports plans for new ventures that tackle environmental challenges in any of the following areas:

• renewable energy
• energy efficiency
• pollution reduction
• resource protection
• conservation.

Top teams win the opportunity to advance to Cleantech Venture Challenge, a regional competition with a top prize of $100k. For more info, email cleantech@cunvc.org Submissions due: 11:59PM, March 5, 2012

IT Track:

  Go here for more info: http://cunvc.org/tracks/it/ The IT (Information Technology) Track is for businesses emphasizing any of the following as a core competency/key business driver:

• software programming/computer science engineering
• smart phone apps
• online social media
• online games
• data/content aggregators
• e-commerce
• telecommunications
• SaaS
• web analytics
• routine automation

Remember: The IT Track also includes a catchall category for any business not easily fitting into any other track.  As a rule of thumb, if your business does not clearly fit one of the other tracks, it’s in the IT Track. For more info, email IT@cunvc.org Submissions due: 11:59PM, March 15, 2012

Music:

  The Music Track is individual musicians and collaborative teams developing ventures in the arts. Teams with at least one member from the College of Music are eligible for the O'Neal-Tanaguchi Prize worth $3,000. For more info, email music@cunvc.org Submissions due: 11:59PM, March 12, 2012

Social Impact:

  The Social Impact NVC Track provides specialized support for new enterprises that create social and/or environmental benefits. Suitable projects will provide benefits for communities either by serving under-served populations, by addressing a pressing social or environmental need through financially sustainable services and/or products, or by creating a business model with ancillary social/environmental benefits. Previous years' projects have included a backyard gardening chicken coop, an English language program for Spanish-speaking workers on campus, and a fruit-drying operation to provide income for an orphanage in Rwanda. The Social Impact final competition, sponsored by Social Venture Partners, takes place on April 2, 2012. Six teams will compete for over $6000 in prize money! For more information go to the Social Impact page. For more info, email socialimpact@cunvc.org Submissions due: 11:59PM, March 8, 2012

• Nov 15-- Breakout Session: Identifying Social Impact Opportunities with Professor Jeff York
• Jan 18-- Boot Camp: How to Use Your Mentor Effectively and Measure Social Impact
• Jan 31-- Pitch Practice
• Feb 9-- Pitch Practice
• Feb 29-- Q&A Night: Final Chance to Ask Questions and Revise Your Plan
• March 5-- Startup 101 with Cindy Lindsey (including legal structures for Social Impact ventures)
• March 8-- Submissions Due
• March 14-- Pitch Practice
• March 9 to 22-- Judges Review Submissions
• April 2-- Social Impact Finals
• April 5-- NVC Championship