Are you passionate about wildlife conservation, climate change, and clean energy? Can you come up with an idea that helps a non-profit anywhere in the world do their mission better, faster, or more efficiently?  Would you like $10,000 in seed capital to develop your idea?  If so, come to the launch of the 2019 C-Prize!  

What is the C-Prize?

Alumnus and C-Prize founder Chris Vargas (’85 and ’88) will give a talk on “How to Change the World (…before you graduate).” Vargas is a Silicon Valley private investor and the founder/CxO of five startups. He will share stories about student teams from Notre Dame currently working with non-profit organizations in Columbia, Kenya, Mozambique, Honduras, and North America. Last year’s C-Prize winner, Ralph Moran, will also share his team’s solution to help protect Marine Wildlife at Roatan Marine Park Honduras and their trip to Honduras this summer. Vargas will wrap-up the hour with a discussion about the C-Prize and answer any questions.

The C-Prize is an annual startup competition that provides funding for students at Notre Dame who are committed to solving problems in conservation, climate change, and clean energy.  

How does the C-Prize work?

Students are invited to come up with an idea that helps a non-profit organization(s) in any of the three ‘c’ fields: conservation, climate change, and clean energy. There are no limits to your idea. It can be a technology solution, running a fundraising campaign, creating a branding and marketing strategy, completing a social media audit, etc. The only requirement is that you help an existing non-profit accelerate and scale their work. 

Each fall, we accept applications from student teams at Notre Dame and select 10 of the most promising ideas. These 10 finalist teams are invited to pitch their idea to a panel of investors and experts. The winning team will receive $10,000 in seed capital to develop their idea.

Who is Eligible?

All undergraduate and graduate students at Notre Dame are eligible to apply and are invited to attend the launch meeting on September 5 at 7:00 p.m. in 102 DeBartolo Hall to learn more.  

How do I Apply?

We are now accepting applications for the 2019 C-Prize to be held in late November (date to be announced) at Notre Dame’s main campus. The application deadline is October 31, 2019.

For more information and to apply, visit:  https://www.c4wce.org/.