Brandeis International Business School

Make your pitch, change the world!

The Brandeis Social Impact Startup Challenge is an exciting initiative at Brandeis International Business School that empowers students to tackle pressing social and environmental issues through innovative startup ideas.

Over the course of this dynamic three-day event, student teams refine their ideas with guidance from mentors and feedback from industry experts. Participants learn to address real-world challenges by crafting effective pitches and designing sustainable business models. It all culminates in a formal pitch session on the final day, where teams present their ideas to a panel of judges.

My favorite aspect of the Social Impact Startup Challenge is the incredible energy in the room — the perfect mix of collaboration, passion and creativity. It’s inspiring to see participants from diverse backgrounds come together, united by a shared goal of creating meaningful change.

The team formation session always stands out as a highlight. Strangers quickly become collaborators, brainstorming innovative solutions and feeding off each other’s ideas.The enthusiasm of the participants, mentors and speakers creates a motivational environment where everyone pushes each other to think bigger and aim higher.

The Social Impact Startup Challenge is more than a competition — it’s an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real problems, foster entrepreneurial thinking and connect with a community at Brandeis committed to driving social change.
Here are four of my favorite pitches from the event.

Project Verde

Puja Yadav, MSBA’26, Trang Nguyen, MSBA’26, Maria Ramirez, MSBA’26 and Valter Cheque, MSBA’26

Quick pitch: An online platform that provides affordable, healthy food to people in food deserts — especially those with low incomes.

Why it matters: Food insecurity in low-income communities is a serious issue, with many areas lacking access to fresh, nutritious food. By offering real-time access to affordable produce nearing expiration, Project Verde helps families in food deserts meet their nutritional needs while reducing food waste. This approach not only addresses hunger but also supports local farmers and promotes sustainability.

Pathway to Possible

Ethan Gelman, MBA’26, Dylan Walters ’24, MBA’26 and Jamahl Neal ’25

Quick pitch: Providing people impacted by homelessness with the hands-on training, community and opportunity they need to rebuild their lives.

Why it matters: This startup addresses the critical issue of homelessness by focusing on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes. With housing costs skyrocketing and barriers to economic stability growing, many people are trapped in cycles they cannot break alone. By offering targeted tools, skills and support, Pathway to Possible seeks to help these vulnerable individuals create sustainable futures.

We Care

Bhanu Prakash Immanni, MSBA’26 and Hrushikesh Mankena, MSF’25

Quick pitch: Addressing the health care affordability gap by connecting uninsured Americans to high-quality medical treatments abroad at significantly reduced costs.

Why it matters: We Care is an app designed to make health care more affordable and accessible for everyone. Utilizing the growth of India’s medical tourism market, this startup offers medical services to uninsured Americans while boosting local health care economies. With a focus on trust, transparency and quality, We Care aims to create access to essential care for millions who might otherwise go without.

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