2024 SoCal OASIS™ Challenge
Deadline Extended: Accepting Applications Until Monday, November 4th 2024 at 5PM
Are you an Inland Southern California entrepreneur working to bring sustainable solutions to the market? UC Riverside's EPIC SBDC is giving away $150,000 in grants exclusively for early-stage sustainability entrepreneurs! Join the 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Challenge for a chance to move your innovation into the market and win up to $75,000 for your company.
We are actively seeking applicants with business ideas in the following areas:
- Sustainable transportation and logistics
- Sustainable agriculture technology and food security
- Energy generation and storage
- Air quality improvement
- Recycling and circular economy
- Water management and purification
- Soil management and combating desertification
- Environmental health and wellness
- Addressing health disparities
Please refer to our Areas of Focus to see if you are a good candidate for this program.
Prizes
We are giving away $150,000 in grants. Selected applicants will present to a panel of experts at the 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Finals on December 4th, 2024 for the chance to win up to $75,000 - click here for 2023's event.
- 1st place: $75,000
- 2nd place: $40,000
- 3rd place: $30,000
- Audience Choice: $5,000
To ensure the most optimal use of funds, grants will be awarded subject to the winning team's proposed budget.
Funds Can Be Used For:
- Prototyping and testing your product
- Securing intellectual property protection
- Participate in conference and events for customer discovery
- And other essential activities to propel your product towards commercialization!
Selected grant recipients will be supported by a team of business mentors from the UCR EPIC Small Business Development Center (SBDC). These experienced mentors will help you with crafting a go-to market strategy, connecting with potential customers, and discovering additional funding opportunities.
Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following key factors:
- Quality of team: We are looking for passionate, driven teams capable of executing on their vision.
- Opportunity to address an unmet need: How well does your business idea tackle a sustainability challenge in a unique or impactful way?
- Innovation and market potential: Does your solution have the potential to make a significant impact?
- Readiness for growth: We want to see a clear path for progress and advancement within 12 months from receiving the award.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for the 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Challenge, you must:
- Have a business idea within the sustainability sector (e.g., sustainable transportation, agriculture technology, energy, recycling & circular economy, air and water quality, environmental health).
- Be located in Inland Southern California: eligible counties include Riverside County, San Bernardino County, & Imperial County.
- Be a startup or small business (you don’t need to be incorporated yet, but incorporation will be required before receiving the award).
- Be willing to work with a mentor from UCR EPIC SBDC, who will guide you through refining your idea and strategy.
- Be available to present your pitch on December 4th, 2024, during the pitch finals.
Applications for the 2024 program close on Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 5 PM. Don’t miss the chance to move your innovation forward and win up to $70,000 for your business!
To apply, please fill out the application below. Please note: You must sign in with your Google account.
The 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Challenge is sponsored by:
