Leavey School of Business Announces the Launch of the PLUS Challenge; A Call to Innovate, Collaborate, and Lead
The Leavey School of Business is thrilled to announce the launch of the PLUS Challenge, an ambitious new initiative designed to ignite innovation, foster collaboration, and cultivate impactful leadership within the Leavey community. This transformative program invites students, faculty, staff, and alumni to bring their most creative ideas to the table, addressing pressing challenges and opportunities in the realms of Partnership, Leadership, Unity, and Sustainability (PLUS).
Finalists will compete in a "Shark Tank"-style pitch event, presenting their ideas to a panel of expert judges. Teams with winning ideas will receive funding from a pool of $500,000 to develop their projects.
“The PLUS Challenge is more than a competition—it’s a call to action,” said Dean Ed Grier. “This initiative aims to harness the energy and innovation of our Leavey community, bringing together diverse perspectives to solve real-world challenges. By fostering collaboration across students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we’re not just preparing for the future—we’re shaping it. Together, we will position the Leavey School of Business as a leader in sustainable, impactful business practices.”
What Is the PLUS Challenge?
The PLUS Challenge is part of the broader Leavey PLUS Strategic Plan, which serves as a roadmap for shaping the future of business education. Having recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, the Leavey School of Business has embraced this strategy to amplify its role as a hub of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices. Anyone interested in participating is invited to submit ideas to forward the School and its mission that align with one of pillars in the Leavey Plus strategic plan:
- Partnership: Building connections and fostering collaboration within and beyond the Leavey community.
- Leadership: Demonstrating ethical, forward-thinking leadership practices that inspire change.
- Unity: Promoting inclusivity and shared purpose through innovative solutions.
- Sustainability: Addressing environmental, social, and financial sustainability challenges.
For alumni, faculty, and staff, the PLUS challenge provides a unique opportunity to directly impact the direction and success of Leavey. Student participants will gain invaluable experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, and teamwork while making a tangible impact on the future of business. In addition to funding and administrative support, the challenge provides access to resources such as:
- Workshops on pitching, design thinking, and business modeling.
- Collaboration spaces for team meetings and project development.
- Mentorship from experts to refine ideas and execution plans.
- Team Assembly: If needed, the dean’s office will help you formulate the team.
How to Participate
The PLUS Challenge is open to all members of the Leavey community. The process includes:
- Idea Submission: Submit a one-page executive summary detailing the problem, solution, and alignment with a strategic pillar.
- Vetting and Team Formation: Proposals will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, impact, and strategic alignment. Selected participants will form diverse teams, including one faculty member, one staff member, one student, and one alumnus or advisory board member. The dean’s office will assist in team formation when needed.
- Mentorship and Development: Teams will receive mentorship and attend workshops on design thinking, pitching, and business modeling to refine their ideas.
- Final Pitch Event: Teams will present their solutions to judges during the final event on October 16, 2025, with winners announced the same day.
Timeline
- Call for Submissions: January 13, 2025
- Submission Deadline: March 17, 2025
- Vetting Deadline: April 7, 2025
- Team Assembly Deadline: May 5, 2025
- Mentorship Phase: Summer 2025
- Final Pitch Event: October 16, 2025
Join the Movement
The PLUS Challenge represents a unique opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and lead. Whether you’re a student eager to showcase your creativity, a faculty member with deep insights, or an alumnus ready to contribute to Leavey’s success, this is your chance to make a difference.
Don’t wait! Submit your idea by March 17, 2025.
Visit scu.edu/business/about/leavey-plus-strategic-plan/challenge for more details and to apply. Let’s build a brighter future—together.