THE VENTURE 2016: BACKGROUNDER
The Venture is Chivas Regal’s global search to find and support the most promising aspiring social entrepreneurs who want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. With over $1 million in funding and resources, The Venture enables social entrepreneurs from around the world to realise their potential and gain exposure for their business. Here’s the website ink: https://www.theventure.com/gulf/en/
 
THE VENTURE 2016: 
Entries now open for The Venture $1m Social Entrepreneurship Fund. The competition is open to any for-profit start-up that creates both financial value and a positive impact on the lives of others. Aspiring social entrepreneurs should visit www.theventure.com to submit their application. Closing date for entries is 15^th December 2015.
 
THE VENTURE 2016 – KEY MILESTONES: 
The Venture – Gulf Final will take place on 20^th January 2016 in Dubai. The winner will take part in The Venture’s Accelerator Week in March 2016 where they will receive training and business advice, as well as mentoring from some of the biggest and most influential names in business. And, of course, The Venture Global Final in July 2016 – when they compete for their share of the $1million fund.
 
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2015?:
This is the 2nd year of Chivas Regal’s search to support the most exciting social entrepreneurs around the world. Over 1000 start-ups applied globally in our first year and The Gulf was represented by Sahar Wahbeh. Her business, Dumyé makes handcrafted, eco-friendly, personalised rag dolls that serve a social purpose.  She didn’t win the global final, but did secure significant funding from the competition. Here’s a link to the profile The Venture created for her business.
https://www.theventure.com/gulf/en/finalists/dumye 
 
THE BIG WINNERS FROM THE VENTURE – GLOBAL FINAL were;

• Algramo from Chile, a pioneering food distribution enterprise, will also participate. It was awarded the largest share of the fund at $300,000.
• Chipsafer from Uruguay who use innovative tracking devices to transform the way farmers look after their livestock. Awarded $150,000.
• SenSprout from Japan who aim to make farming more efficient using a wireless field-monitoring system. Awarded $150,000.
• Lumkani from South Africa, a company that uses technology to decrease the risk of devastating fires in informal settlements. Awarded $75,000
• Diseclar from Colombia who turn waste materials into stylish furniture. Awarded $75,000.

 
YEAR ONE – A SUMMARY
Here’s a short summary of the global final: https://www.theventure.com/gulf/en/year-one. The final event was hosted by the British comedian James Corden, with Adrian Grenier from US hit TV series Entourage (a social entrepreneur himself), heading the judging panel.
 
For 2016 there will be 27 regional finalists from around the world.
 
Soushiant Zanganephour is the Gulf Brand Ambassador for The Venture and the author of the report around which the global programme for The Venture was created. Here is a link to an interview he did for the programme: Click here 
 
If you’re a social entrepreneur or want to find out more about how you could become one, then visit www.theventure.com.
 
There is a wealth of free information available and, of course, the opportunity to win up to $1m in funding. Closing date for applications is 15th December 2015.
 
Good luck!