Skandalaris Center

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ABOUT:

The Global Impact Award was founded in 2013 to support the vision and passion of Washington University in St. Louis students, postdoctoral researchers, and recent alumni who are creating ventures that are scalable, sustainable, and quick-to-market with proof of concept and a broad impact.

HEAR FROM THE DONORS:

Applications for the 2021-2022 Global Impact Award cycle are now closed.

PROCESS

Finalists will be selected by judges based on the scoring of deliverables and will be connected to expert mentors in their relevant fields, to improve sustainability of ventures and opportunities for success. Mentorship and training will be offered during the spring semester to help the finalists prepare for their pitch presentation. In April, all finalists will present to an esteemed panel of judges, and the judges will select one or more winners of the $50,000 award.

TIMELINE

  • November 1, 2021 - Applications Open
  • December 1, 2021 at 5 p.m. - Applications are due
  • January - Finalists are announced
  • Spring - Finalist teams work with the Skandalaris Center and the GIA community to develop their deliverable materials
  • April 14 - Final presentations and award announcement

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to receive the award, the founding team and venture are expected to meet certain criteria.

TEAM MEMBER REQUIREMENTS:

  • The founding team must include one or more of the following: a current Washington University in St. Louis enrolled undergraduate, graduate or professional student; resident; a postdoctoral researcher; or an alumnus who has graduated within ten years of submitting his or her application for the award.
  • The Washington University-affiliated team members must have a meaningful role in the venture at the time of its application for the award.

VENTURE REQUIREMENTS:

  • The venture must have incurred less than million in total debt, equity, grant or prize funding at the time of application.
  • The venture must have completed a proof of concept.
  • The venture may be a commercial or hybrid for-profit/nonprofit legal entity, and is expected to have high impact, be sustainable and scalable.
  • The venture may be based on faculty inventions or IP disclosures, provided the venture includes at least one Washington University-affiliated team member who meets the above requirements and holds meaningful equity (no less than 5%, including options) participation in the venture.

Judging Criteria

Each of the following bullets are worth 10% of a venture's total score.

  • PROBLEM: Clear, concise description, and understanding of the problem
  • SOLUTION: The solution is feasible and has been prototyped, and implementation is achievable by the team and highlighted collaborators 
  • IMPACT: The solution will have a global impact through economic or social value
  • CHALLENGES: The team understands the technical and operational challenges and has a reasonable plan to address them
  • MARKET CONTEXT: The team understands the market and cultural challenges to their solution
  • USE OF AWARD: The budget is appropriate, and a clear plan for additional funding (if needed) is in place
  • TEAM: The team understands their capabilities and have utilized mentors to support their venture
  • SUSTAINABILITY: The venture is scalable and replicable 
  • VIABILITY: This venture has a successful proof of concept, a clear go-to-market strategy, and is scalable. The venture will succeed. 
  • GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD COMMITMENT: The founders are committed to the spirit of the GIA, including giving back to the program to support future ventures

Previous Winners

2014 - Nanopore Diagnostics

2015 - Applied Particle Technology

2016 - Epharmix

2017 - Geneoscopy and Strayos

2018 - The Women's Bakery

2020 - GiftAMeal, 3Dux Design, and Wabbani 

2021 - Golden Roots Essentials

APPLICATIONS

Applications for the 2021-2022 cycle are closed.

If you have questions or would like assistance with your venture, please email GIA@wustl.edu