Utah Valley University’s Center for Engaged Learning is offering the thousands of aspiring nonprofit entrepreneurs that launch operations each year in Utah an opportunity to qualify for some professional start-up assistance.

Through UVU’s inaugural Social Innovation Incubator competition, about a dozen social entrepreneurs will earn a spot in a two-week social innovation workshop where they can receive training from experts in a variety of topics including business plan development, grant writing, mission marketization, performance management, board development, fundraising and social innovation.

 “One of the primary goals of this competition is to help develop organizations that will produce a positive social impact,” said Luke Peterson, UVU’s director of corporate and community partnerships.

The contest is open to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, as long as the organization’s campaign is primarily socially focused. The competition is mainly for new ventures, but established non-profit organizations are eligible as well if they’re introducing a new initiative or making a shift in operations.

“There are a lot of social organizations with good ideas that are looking to get started, but lack specific training in things that are needed for them to be successful. Those are the ones we are primarily targeting here,” Peterson said. “The Social Innovation Incubator will provide critical support to social entrepreneurs whose concepts hold potential for significant social impact and student engagement.”

Entries for the Social Innovator Incubator competition are being accepted online at www.uvu.edu/sii/ through June 15.

Those selected for the workshops will begin their two-week training on Aug. 6. Upon completion of the workshops, each organization will then pitch its refined business plan to a panel of experienced funders and entrepreneurs, who will award up to two $5,000 start-up grants. Winners will also receive access to UVU’s institutional resources and allotted office space at UVU’s Business Resource Center.

For more information on the competition, contact Luke Peterson at (801) 863-8899.