How many times in your life have you been told no? In your work? In your personal life?

What is your response after a rejection?

Sometimes the way that you approach a “no” or an obstacle is just as important as the way you approach a solution. You know what this experience feels like – not great. That’s because, usually in these situations, no means “stop” or “all that work for nothing.” The most typical rejection letters signal the end of a journey and some templated response about “better luck next time.”

But that’s not how Catholic innovators do things. And that’s not your story.

We recommend that the next time you get a “no” that you approach it with the power of the entrepreneur spirit—that is, never settling no matter what the outcome. In fact, there might be some wisdom that you can obtain from the experience.

What I gained from a “No” in the OSV Challenge

Former Challenger Everett Fritz from Andrew Ministries shared what he learned from getting a “no” in the OSV Challenge.


What Do You Do Next?

This page is full of specialized content for your innovator journey. It begins with content from the Value Proposition and Business Model Canvas Round, so regardless of where you are at in your business or ministry, you’ll be able to utilize these tools to grow and develop your innovative idea. 

There is also a plethora of videos and content that you can treat like a mini-virtual retreat. Set aside a few hours to watch the videos and read the materials. You can do it all in one setting or over the course of a few days. Be intentional about connecting the wisdom contained within to your own project or idea. Make it personal. Take what you’ve learned to prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament and ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to learn from this experience.


Value Proposition Course

Learn how to create products and services that customers want! This self-paced course also contains videos from the Napkin Idea Bootcamp.

Business Model Canvas Course

Learn how to describe the ways that your organization creates, delivers and captures value. This self-paced course contains bonus content to grow and deepen your faith.

Ask Yourself Some Questions

Think of the content and questions below as a brand new canvas that you can use to put your idea upon. Allow yourself to be challenged and consider some new perspectives. Take some time to reflect after each one.

Does my idea embrace an infinite mindset, moving beyond the way that things are usually done?

Jason Shanks’ OSV Talk, The Inefficient Innovator challenges his listeners to think beyond efficient processes, become hungry for souls and embrace an infinite mindset.

How am I listening to those that my project intends to serve?

Empathetic listening is key to understanding the needs of your constituents and you might want to start by thinking about ways to listen well. Here are two excellent Ted Talks with insights on How to Speak so that People Want to Listen and 5 Ways to Listen Better.

When I’m working on my idea, should I make time for play?

The idea of creating a culture that works, is actually not about creating a product or service, but rather, creating an environment that fuels creativity. Creativity happens when we step out of everyday surroundings. Stepping into nature, engaging in a conversation, reading a book or listening to a podcast (not related to our work)– these are all ways to play and play is the easiest way to jumpstart that creative part of our brain.

Do you believe that everyone, including yourself, is creative?

We do! Our friends at IDEO wrote an article outlining a creative new perspective on approaching challenges.

What are your five words?

The first five words of the Bible are “In the Beginning, God Created.” It’s the very first thing, so every time that we produce some art, develop our ideas, write…we reflect that first action in a small way.

So, what are the five words that inspire your work and the five that you would most want to share with your fellow innovators and creators? In the book, Created, some of the foremost Catholic creatives share their own five words alongside beautiful artwork that will leave you inspired.

Use promo code OSVi25 for 25% off, or get a free digital copy now.

Join a Community of Innovators

When we told you in the early communications of this Challenge that this competition was unlike anything you’ve ever applied for before, we were serious. You received a “no” in this round of the OSV Challenge, but that doesn’t mean that we are going anywhere. We are here to encourage you as this “no” propels you forward…along with hundreds of Catholic innovators from around the world.

OSV Connect

OSV Connect was designed as a way for Catholic innovators to connect, collaborate and innovate. Within this social online community, you can start conversations with fellow Catholics around the world, share what you’re working on, get feedback and find inspiration! Join today!

When you join the OSV Institute community, you will meet innovators like Martin Ford with Harbor who applied, didn’t receive prize money, but felt like his application was a success.

Embrace You as a Catholic Innovator

To this point, you have been focusing on the innovation of your idea. Now, it’s time to stop and consider the innovation and change taking place within YOU as the Catholic innovator. You are uniquely and beautifully made with a special mission to share with the world. So take some time to consider how you can expand your experience and perspective for your own growth.

Embrace Your Grit

You can’t always recognize a Catholic innovator by the ideas that they bring to the table. But you can recognize them by the way that they embrace their entrepreneurial journey through prayer, grit and perseverance.

In a world that measures IQ, it’s okay to measure your success on the grit, stamina and passion that you bring to the table.

Believe you can improve

As a Catholic innovator, you should “luxuriate in the power of yet” instead of being paralyzed or “gripped in the tyranny of now.”

The Power of the Prayer

How often do you pray? What makes Christian prayer distinctive? Bishop Barron answers these questions and offers recommendations on how to improve your prayer life.

Be Vulnerable

As you embrace the moniker Catholic innovator, we encourage you to enter into…and STAY in the arena, and keep persevering in the pursuit of souls for Christ.


The Church needs your idea…so please prayerfully consider applying again to the next OSV Challenge!

Anna Carter with Eden Initiative almost didn’t apply to the OSV Challenge. She shares her story on how that first step in the OSV Challenge journey led to a $100,000 prize towards the growth of their ministry.