Bryn Mawr Partners with UPenn and Schoolyard Ventures for Social Innovators Program

The program guides students in launching ventures of their own that create value and positive impact on society. Upon completion of the course, students earn a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Social Innovators Program at Bryn Mawr has both in-person and virtual components. It begins in December with virtual lessons and recitations and concludes with a graduation event at The University of Pennsylvania on March 1st, 2020.

During the program, students will learn:

• How social entrepreneurs create value for the world
• To identify market opportunities and test ideas quickly
• To develop and continuously improve a plan for launching a business or non-profit
• To present their ideas to potential investors, donors and advocates

This opportunity is open only to Bryn Mawr, Gilman, and Roland Park Country School students. The total cost is $2,150, but Bryn Mawr is subsidizing the cost of the program bringing the total to $1425 for Bryn Mawr participants in order to make this opportunity available to more families. A fifty percent deposit is due upon acceptance, and the balance is due to Schoolyard Ventures by November 15, 2019.

Learn more about the Social Innovators Program and apply online here. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2019. Phone admissions interviews will be scheduled with students after their applications are received. 

Here is a sampling of some of the socially-focused entrepreneurship projects created by Bryn Mawr students last year:

EcoGlamorous
EcoGlamorous is an educational event created by two students about two environmental topics: eco-friendly beauty products and waste reduction. For elementary to high school girls who need easy changes to make their lifestyle more sustainable, the EcoGlamorous event is an opportunity to learn about new uses for items you already own, methods to reduce waste, and brands that are leading in convenient, sustainable shopping. Learn more here. 

Handicap
Handicap is a QR code to be implemented by local parking enforcement that connects handicap tags to information about the user and makes it easier to track and enforce handicap parking.

Paper Doll Project
The Paper Doll Project uses paper doll books to promote girl empowerment and body positivity. The dolls have body types, clothes, and settings that span beyond the limited gendered spaces of modern girls toys. Learn more here.

"As the Computer Science department chair and the STEM/Entrpeuership Pathway Co-Director at Bryn Mawr, I see that our students are hungry for a program like this that will help take their creative ideas and inventions to the next level," said Justin Curtis, senior director of academic and strategic initiatives. "This partnership complements our current entrepreneurial course offerings and activities and will serve our students as they continue to develop innovative ideas addressing a variety of social issues. I am beyond excited to see what they will do."