About the Challenge
Returning Fall 2025! Social Impact Challenge is a reverse-pitch competition hosted by Boise State’s School of Public Service in partnership with Venture College. Open to all students, participants collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address real issues facing Idaho communities.
Team up or work solo with mentors to develop solutions through research, constituent discovery, and idea validation. Pitch ideas and compete for up to $1000 prize. Winners will be awarded a “Bronco Pass” to compete in the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge.
Application deadline is September 8, 2025 by noon MT.
Next Social Impact Challenge
10.24.25
How it Works
Weeks 1 + 2
Attend 1 hour orientation to select challenge statements and meet mentor(s). Build your design thinking toolkit during a participant workshop.
Weeks 3 + 4
Conduct constituent interviews, research the challenge statement alongside mentors. Ideate solutions and assess their viability over the course of independent work.
Weeks 5 + 6
Finalize solutions, develop and practice your pitch deck and with the support of Venture College staff through one-on-one meetings. Attend a 30 minute pitch run-through.
Week 7
Participate in the 3 hour competition. Pitch your solution to judges and compete to win up to $1000.
2025 Challenge
Innovate for Good
For Fall 2025, School of Public Service is teaming up with Idaho Partners for Good (IP4G) to develop challenge statements and identify community partners. IP4G is a Boise-based nonprofit organization focused on strengthening Idaho’s nonprofit sector. They provide financial support, skilled consultants, and training opportunities to help nonprofits enhance their organizational effectiveness.
2024 Challenge
Housing for All
In 2024, the Impact Challenge addressed “Housing for All.” Lack of housing affects community well-being and economic health in a multitude of ways. Participants worked closely with faculty mentors to research, analyze, and ideate solutions to a number of housing issues facing the Treasure Valley.
2023 Challenge
Transportation for All
In 2024, the Impact Challenge addressed “Transportation for All.” How we move to and from a destination can easily be taken for granted and sometimes be a barrier to our ability to thrive. Challenge participants thought through solutions to address transportation barriers.
Ready to solve real issues and make real impact?
To participate, complete the student application.
Direct questions to sps-ecl@boisestate.edu.
Special thanks to Boise State’s Venture College.