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Dean’s Social Innovation Prize Rules

The Ted Rogers School of Management in partnership with the Social Venture Zone is hosting the Dean’s Social Innovation Prize (the “Competition”) for the 2022-2023 year. To collectively recognize Ted Rogers School student(s) contributions and provide funding to advance their community-building initiative(s). The Dean’s Social Innovation Prize, in the amount of $2,000, is presented annually to Ted Rogers School student(s) who have spearheaded a project, large or small, that has made a significant impact on the targeted community interest, has addressed a social interest or need, and brought some recognition to a specific cause. This prize – created in 2018 – is funded by alumni and other external supporters of the Ted Rogers School. 

Further details are available on the Competition registration website at: 
https://www.torontomu.ca/tedrogersschool/students/social-innovation-prize/ (opens in new window)  (the “Website”). 

1. Competition Entry Period

The entry period for the Competition begins on March 24,th 2023 at 8:00 am EST and ends on April 15th 11:59pm EST (the “Competition Entry Period”). To be eligible, the registration portion of the Competition Entry (as defined herein) must be submitted during the Competition Entry Period. 

2.Eligibility

The Competition is open only to Ted Rogers School Student(s) who have participated in the Social Venture Zone’s ideation and incubation program 2022-23 leading up to this pitch competition. 

3. How to Enter

No purchase necessary. An eligible team of students (“Entrants”) may enter the Competition at any time during the Competition Entry Period by completing the registration form on the “Website”). 

4. Competition Entry Conditions

There is a limit of one (1) Competition Entry per Entrant (individual/team). 

By entering the Competition, the Entrant agrees that the Entrant, and all team members, will comply with these Competition Rules and with the decisions of the Competition Sponsor, which decisions are irrevocable and are legally binding in all matters related to the Competition.

5. The Prize

Students will be eligible to pitch for the “Prize” of $2000 after their full participation in the program Phase 1: Information and Ideation, as well as their full participation throughout Phase 2: Incubation. (the “Prize”). 

6.  Winner Selection Process

A panel of experts (the “Panel”) from the social innovation sector will be appointed by TRSM and Social Venture Zone. All eligible entries will be reviewed by the panel and three finalists will be selected to pitch in person on May 4th, 2023. 

The finalists will be selected on the basis of the following pre-selection criteria (the “Criteria”): 

    Impact & Solution (30%) 

    The analysis is clear and complete; makes reasonable assumptions and inferences about market conditions; plan is viable, and supported by reliable data. 

    Innovation, Creativity & Resilience (25%) 

    The solution addresses the problems in a novel or creative way and effectively implements technologies or strategies. 

    Personal Capacity (25%) 

    Demonstrates a personal passion and commitment to their idea. Is articulate and persuasive. 

    Sustainability (15%) 

    The solution has potential to make money and support itself, with minimal impact on the environment. 

    Presentation & Visual Aids (5%) 

    The presentation is strong, with graphs and designs that clearly and effectively convey information. 

7. Declaration of Winners

One winning team will be selected by the Panel and announced on May 4, 2023. If at least one (1) individual from a team is not available in-person at the time of announcement, and does not accept being selected as the finalist then the team forfeits all rights to the Prize and the Competition Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion, to select an alternate finalist based on the next highest Score in accordance with these Competition Rules (in which case the foregoing provisions of this section will apply to such alternate Eligible Winner).

8. Right to Suspend/Modify/Terminate

If for any reason the Competition is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Competition, the Competition Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Competition, or any part of it, and disqualify any individual or entity who is responsible for such action. If terminated, the Competition Sponsor may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the winners from among all eligible Competition Entries received up to the time of such action using the procedures outlined herein. 

9. Limitations of Liability and Release

No liability or responsibility is assumed by the Competition Sponsor resulting from the Entrant Group’s participation in or attempt to participate in the Competition or ability or inability to upload or download any information in connection with the Competition. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Competition Sponsor for technical problems or 

technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences which may affect the operation of the Competition: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, cable, satellite, network, electronic, Internet connectivity or other online or network communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or other providers; garbled, jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any online transmissions to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted transmissions; inaccessibility of the Competition Website or Competition Sponsor website in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the Competition Website or Competition Sponsor website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Competition, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, or worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Competition, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account used in connection with the Competition. The Competition Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, technical, computer, network or human error which may occur in the administration of the Competition, the uploading, the processing of Competition Entries, the judging of the Work, the announcement of the Prizes or in any Competition-related materials. Use of the Competition Website and Competition Sponsor website is at user’s own risk. The Competition Sponsor is not responsible for any personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind which may be sustained to any member of the Entrant Group or any other person resulting from participation or attempt to participate in the Competition. By participating in the Competition, the Entrant Group (and each member of the Entrant Group) agrees: 

  • to release the Competition Sponsor from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or relating to Entrant Group’s participation in the Competition;
  • under no circumstances will the Entrant Group be permitted to obtain awards for, and the Entrant Group hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages; and 
  • all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Competition, or any prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. 

By accepting any Prize, recipient agrees that the Competition Sponsor will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by Winners against, any liability for injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in the Competition or from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any Prize. The Competition Sponsor is not liable in the event that any portion of the Competition is canceled due to weather, fire, strike, acts of war or terrorism, or any other condition beyond their control. 

Any attempt by an individual, whether or not an entrant group member, to deliberately damage, destroy, tamper or vandalize the Competition website or interfere with the operation of the Competition is a violation of criminal and civil laws, and the Competition sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and diligently pursue all remedies against any such individual to the fullest extent permitted by law. 

10. Privacy and Publicity Release

The Competition Sponsor and its authorized agents will collect, use, and disclose the personal information provided upon registration and entry into the Competition for the purposes of administering the Competition and Prize fulfillment, in accordance with the Competition Sponsor’s privacy policy, available at http://www.torontomu.ca/privacy. By accepting a Prize, all members of the Winner consent to the publication and use of their name, address (city, province), voice, statements, photographs, image and/or likeness, logo, trademark in any form, manner or media whether now known or hereafter devised, including, without limitation, in print, radio, television and on the Internet for any purpose in connection with the Competition including, without limitation, for the purposes of advertising and trade, and promoting the Competition Sponsor and /or Competition, without further notice or compensation. 

11. General 

The Competition is governed in accordance with the domestic laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. The Competition Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, and without prior notice, to adjust any of the dates and/or timeframes stipulated in these Competition Rules, to the extent necessary, for purposes of verifying compliance with these Competition Rules or for any other reason. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of these Competition Rules and disclosures or other statements contained in any Competition-related materials, the terms and conditions of these Competition Rules shall prevail, govern and control to the fullest extent permitted by law.