Sullivan Impact Venture Labs
Developing Ventures That Strengthen Communities
Sullivan Impact Venture Labs helps students across Sullivan partner schools develop mission-driven ventures through Collaborative Changemaking: working with others to understand community needs, diagnose problems, design practical solutions, and move ideas into action.
Guidance, mentorship, peer learning, and funding opportunities support the work. The skills students gain remain useful throughout their lives, whatever career they pursue.
Sullivan Impact Prize
Developing Ventures Through Collaborative Changemaking
Sullivan Impact Venture Labs helps students develop mission-driven ventures through Collaborative Changemaking: working with others to understand community needs, design practical solutions, and move ideas into action.
Students can begin with virtual workshops, a campus Sullivan Impact Prize opportunity, or direct entry into the Sullivan Impact Venture Competition.
The Sullivan Impact Venture Labs offer students the chance to turn big ideas into real-world change.
Sullivan Impact Venture Labs helps students develop mission-driven ventures through Collaborative Changemaking. Campus competitions, the Venture Competition, the Incubator, and Accelerator Bootcamps connect students with practical learning, mentorship, peer support, and opportunities to strengthen ideas and ventures. Five finalists, one from each community impact category, receive $500 category awards and compete at the Sullivan Showcase for the $2,000 Judges Award and $1,500 Audience Award.
The Sullivan Impact Prize is your chance to turn big ideas into real-world change.
Students can begin with virtual workshops, a campus Sullivan Impact Prize opportunity, or direct entry into the Sullivan Impact Venture Competition.
Five finalists, one from each community impact category, receive $500 category awards and compete at the Sullivan Showcase for the $2,000 Judges Award and $1,500 Audience Award. Finalists in all categories may apply for an additional $10,000 in aggregate to support continued venture development.
Who can Apply?
- Students at any Sullivan partner school
- No prior Sullivan award, scholarship, or program participation is required
- Early concepts and ventures already underway are welcome
- Choose the starting point that fits where you are now
Timeline
- November 4, 11, 16, 18 and December 2, 2026 – Free virtual workshops, 6:00–7:15 p.m. ET. Register for the workshops. Workshop registration is separate from competition entry.
- Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 – Campus Sullivan Impact Prize competitions and virtual workshops help students develop venture concepts and prepare for the Sullivan Impact Venture Competition.
- December 7, 2026 – First semifinalist cohort entry deadline. Semifinalists are selected by December 15, 2026.
- March 1, 2027 – Second semifinalist cohort entry deadline. First-round entrants who were not selected may re-enter.
- March 5, 2027 – Second-cohort semifinalists and five finalists from both cohorts are selected, with one finalist in each community impact category.
- April 9, 2027 – Five finalists present and compete at the Sullivan Showcase in Tuscaloosa.
- Throughout the year: The Venture Incubator provides ongoing learning, mentorship, and collaboration. Selected participants with launched ventures may be invited to Accelerator Bootcamps during Sullivan Weekends.
Prizes & Opportunities
- Competition and Showcase: Five finalists, one from each community impact category, receive $500 category awards and compete at the Sullivan Showcase for the $2,000 Judges Award and $1,500 Audience Award.
- Continued venture funding: Finalists in all categories may apply for an additional $10,000 in aggregate to support continued venture development.
- Mentorship, visibility, and continued support: Opportunities for coaching, workshops, and connections with faculty, Sullivan alumni, community leaders, and potential supporters across the Sullivan network.
Here’s what you’ll get to experience.
Begin with a community need, an early idea, or a venture already underway. The Labs are designed to meet students where they are and help them move forward.
The Design Your Impact Venture Virtual Workshop Series offers five free sessions led by Greg Van Kirk. No venture idea is required to get started. Attend any number of workshops, or attend all five and submit a draft impact venture plan to earn the Sullivan Foundation certificate in “Impact Venture Design for Collaborative Changemakers.”
All sessions take place from 6:00–7:15 p.m. Eastern Time (ET):
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Impact Venture Plan Template – Introduction, Building Your Changemaking Team
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026: Human-Centered and Systems Mapping
- Monday, November 16, 2026: Problem Diagnosis & Prioritization
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026: Innovation Ideation Whiteboarding
- Wednesday, December 2, 2026: Innovation Design & Delivery
Register for the Venture Labs workshops. Workshop registration is separate from competition entry. Ready to enter? Enter the Sullivan Impact Venture Competition.
Timeline
- November 4, 11, 16, 18 and December 2, 2026 – Free virtual workshops, 6:00–7:15 p.m. ET
- December 7, 2026 – First semifinalist cohort entry deadline; semifinalists selected by December 15
- March 1, 2027 – Second semifinalist cohort entry deadline; first-round entrants not selected may re-enter
- March 5, 2027 – Second-cohort semifinalists and five finalists from both cohorts selected
- Throughout the year – Incubator and accelerator opportunities support continued venture development
- April 9, 2027 – Five finalists compete at the Sullivan Showcase in Tuscaloosa
Prizes & Opportunities
- $500 category awards for five category winners
- $2,000 Judges Award and $1,500 Audience Award at the Sullivan Showcase
- Finalists in all categories may apply for an additional $10,000 in aggregate to support continued venture development.
