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Ready to see your idea take off? Join the LIFT Challenge to win a share of $15,000 USD in prize money!

The Center for Sustainable Enterprise’s Launching Investment for Future Transformation (LIFT) sponsored by Bank of America calls on students from around the world to develop blended finance and impact investing strategies to drive true triple bottom line sustainability – simultaneously addressing the most pressing environmental, social and economic challenges of our time. The world is experiencing monumental challenges; from climate change to the lack of access to clean water and sanitation, from the need for affordable housing to sustainable energy and infrastructure. The impacts from these challenges have been disproportionate, affecting the most vulnerable, underserved populations and communities.
We can tackle these complex sustainability issues in a manner that advances social equity, justice and economic mobility. Blended finance can help us do this successfully! We need unique solutions that combine multiple finance and investment mechanisms to support innovation from and for all stakeholders.
We invite student teams to pitch ideas in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and identify untapped opportunities and bridge gaps to solve social inequities and create opportunities for economic mobility. There is no single path in the fight for social justice and equitable economic opportunity. The world needs ideas for all sectors, topics and regions. So no matter where you’re from, teams can pitch solutions for high-income countries, low-income countries, and everything in between.

Students
Registration is on a rolling basis through Oct. 13, 2021. The sooner you register, the sooner you are matched with coaching opportunities.
Proposal Submissions Due Oct. 20, 2021
Finalists announced Oct. 30, 2021
Live virtual finals Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, 2021