About

In an effort to empower and support nonprofits tackling some of this area’s toughest problems and to contribute to the innovative, vibrant culture in our region, Social Venture Partners (SVP) created the annual SEED20 program for social entrepreneurs. SEED stands for Social Entrepreneurs EmpowereD. The “20” represents the twenty organizations or individuals who are selected to participate.

The mission of SEED20 is to promote the power of social innovation.

• We believe in the power of social innovation to unleash breakthrough ideas that creatively 
attack tough social challenges. 

• We connect innovative people and organizations to funders, to one another, and to the broader Charlotte region. 

• We empower nonprofits with the skills and confidence to tell their stories in ways that inspire people to act. 

• We educate the community about pressing social issues and organizations that are dedicated to addressing them. 


The SEED20 program is an initiative of Social Venture Partners (SVP). SVP works in conjunction with our community sponsors to deliver this program.

This year, due to recommendations by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, we are refraining from gathering a large group of people. As a result, the OnStage event will be a virtual event at 7pm on March 31, 2020. All twenty nonprofit entrepreneurs will be showcased during the virtual event. Vying for prizes, ten finalists will give fast-paced three-minute pitches of their ideas to the virtual audience. You, as part of the online audience, will have a chance to vote for your favorite!

March 31 7:00 – 8:30 PM SEED20 OnStage Virtual Event

Date to be Determined in 2020 – Live SEED20 Celebration
In addition, we will plan a celebratory reception later this year, which will provide an opportunity for SEED20 ticketholders to network and support social entrepreneurs and the energy and ideas they bring to our region. You will be invited and encouraged to attend and engage with all 20 nonprofit participants, enjoy food and beverages, and potentially hear the winning pitches live.

Ticket price includes: Access to the Virtual Event including the ability to vote for the Wells Fargo People’s Choice Grand Prize plus an invitation to the live SEED20 celebration later this year.

This year, the OnStage event will be a virtual event at 7pm on March 31, 2020. In addition, we will plan a celebratory reception later this year, which will provide an opportunity for SEED20 ticketholders to network and support social entrepreneurs and the energy and ideas they bring to our region. As a SEED20 ticketholder, you will be receiving additional information on how to participate online with voting instructions at a later time.

Everyone! Anyone interested in learning about and supporting innovation in the social sector in the Charlotte region should buy tickets for SEED20 OnStage. This year, the OnStage event will be a virtual event at 7pm on March 31, 2020. In addition, we will plan a celebratory reception later this year, which will provide an opportunity for SEED20 ticketholders to network and support social entrepreneurs and the energy and ideas they bring to our region.

Cultivators provide financial support for SEED20 by donating $1,000 and get to enjoy an enhanced OnStage experience. Please click here if you are interested in more details.

No. Social Venture Partners is a nonprofit organization and SEED20 is a program of Social Venture Partners. The funds from sponsor donations and ticket sales go to running the program, the alumni network, and the cash prizes that are awarded to the nonprofit participants.

The application period occurs in the fall each year. All applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee from Social Venture Partners. The Selection Committee will invite twenty organizations to participate based on the following criteria:

• Potential for Sustainable Impact: Does this idea/program/organization address an important social issue? Is it already having, or likely to have, a significant long-term impact?
• Innovation: Is this idea/program/organization novel, unique, and entrepreneurial?

Participants will attend an Orientation and Pitch Workshop and have approximately two weeks to prepare for the first coaching session. Participants will attend three group coaching sessions and receive one-on-one mentoring after each coaching session. This process will help them distill the key elements of their mission, approach, impact, and needs into a three-minute pitch. They will have access to valuable strategic advice and resources, and will have the opportunity to cultivate ongoing relationships. The class will also attend a professional photo and video shoot, which will yield marketing assets for each participant.

The Selection Committee will select ten finalists to make pitches at SEED20 OnStage and compete for cash awards. All members of the SEED20 Class are eligible for at least one award.

The formal training process typically spans two months and culminates in the SEED20 OnStage event in the spring. During this time, participants have access to valuable strategic advice to help them strengthen their ideas/organizations, and will have the opportunity to cultivate ongoing relationships and other resources. There are three aspects to the training program:

• Pitch Workshop: The SEED20 Class, along with their coaches, will participate in a workshop to learn about the key elements of an effective pitch. There will also be time for Q&A, and for explaining more details about the program.
• Group Coaching Sessions: Participants will practice their pitch in front of a group of volunteer coaches from the community who will provide immediate verbal and written feedback on their pitches.
• Individual Coaching Sessions: Participants will be assigned a team of two or more volunteer coaches and a college student ambassador who will assist them in distilling the feedback and refining their pitches into a crisp three-minute presentation. These one-on-one sessions will take place after each group coaching session and may also be scheduled between sessions.

A three-minute pitch is a high-energy, fast-moving, compelling presentation in which entrepreneurs share the mission, vision, promise and model of their idea – all in three minutes! Presenters will be trained to tell their story in a succinct, compelling, polished, and passionate way that inspires people to act.

Ideas become reality when they can be communicated persuasively and efficiently. We want to help innovative nonprofits hone their pitches so they can succinctly and powerfully paint a picture that best drives excitement for their ideas.