UpPrize 2023

The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, powered by Innovation Works and funded by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, creates cross-sector partnerships to solve some of our community’s most pressing problems.

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CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR 2023 WINNERS!

FARM TO FLAME

SUSTAINABILITY WINNER

$150,000 AWARD

KORION HEALTH

RACIAL EQUITY WINNER

$75,000

SUSTAINIBLE

ECONOMIC JUSTICE WINNER

$75,000

TESTA-SEAT

SUSTAINABILITY RUNNER UP

$50,000

OUR SEMI-FINALISTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SEMI-FINALISTS!

RACIAL EQUITY

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ECONOMIC JUSTICE

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SUSTAINABILITY

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Everyone Wins!

The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, administered by Innovation Works and fully funded by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, will return for its sixth cycle to bridge the gap between the nonprofit and entrepreneurial communities and increase the number of impactful technology-based solutions targeted to critical social challenges.
For 2023, the UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge will focus on technologies supporting racial equity, economic justice, and sustainability while also strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion among entrepreneurs and businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania’s tech ecosystem.

OUR 3 PILLARS

RACIAL EQUITY

Measure what matters with Untitled’s easy-to-use reports. You can filter, export, and drilldown on the data in a couple clicks.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

An all-in-one customer service platform that helps you balance everything your customers need to be happy.

SUSTAINABILITY

Whether you have a team of 2 or 200, our shared team inboxes keep everyone on the same page and in the loop.

A History of Strong Support

Since its launch in 2015, the UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge has allocated more than $ 2.8 million in investments, grants, and technical assistance. The 2023 cycle will continue the mission of supporting impactful technology that improves nonprofit service delivery and the lives and experiences of people in the region. UpPrize applications will be accepted until July 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.

Application Criteria

Are you an innovative entrepreneur with a passion for change? Do you have a solution that could provide racial and economic equity and sustainability to our neighbors in southwestern Pennsylvania?

Relevance

What is the issue that the business is attempting to address and why? How do you envision your business solving an issue of racial or economic injustice?

Targeted Audience  AND Location

Will the service or product benefit marginalized communities? What area will this service be delivered?

Impact

Outline the desired impact if funded?

Market Demand

Clarify the need for your product or service. Are there any competitors doing similar work? What makes your business innovative and unique?

Financial Sustainability

Is the applicant an LLC, sole proprietor, or non-profit organization(501c3 designation) or have a fiscal sponsor?

Leadership Team

Does this team have the skill sets and capacity to bring this idea to fruition or to scale?

Collaboration

Has the applicant identified potential partners?

Potential for Scale

Has the applicant researched or developed revenue models? What are the plans for future partnerships and employee growth?

Creativity

How does this product use technology to provide an innovative solution?

EVENTS RECAP

Here's a recap of the 2022 UpPrize events. Click each photo to enlarge.

2022 RECAP

OUR 2022 WINNERS

PRECISION NEUROSCOPICS

FIRST PLACE

$150,000 AWARD

MEERKAT VILLAGE

SECOND PLACE

$100,000 AWARD

MAKE IT HOME SAFE

THIRD PLACE

$50,000 AWARD