OSV Institute Seeks Innovative Ideas to Compete for $500,000 in Prizes in the 2022 OSV Challenge

Posted: 01/28/2022 | Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jason Nees
Email: osvinstitute@osv.com

Huntington, IN, January 28, 2022 — OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation announces the 3rd annual OSV Challenge. This multi-round entrepreneurial competition was designed to incubate unique project ideas in any stage from Catholics whose faith has motivated them to make a difference. Innovators are invited to apply to this competition that provides personal development, professional guidance, spiritual accompaniment, idea acceleration — and a shot at one of five $100,000 prizes.

Applications open on Monday, January 31 and close at 12:00pm EST on Friday, February 18. New to the OSV Challenge this year are four application tracks: Creative Arts, Entrepreneur, Parish & Diocese and Technology.

“With the introduction of these tracks, our innovators can maximize the opportunity to grow in their specific field. Our focused approach means more specialized instruction, paying particular attention to the unique challenges that each one faces,” stated Stephanie Mahoney, Project Lead for the OSV Challenge. “We are excited to create an ecosystem of innovators with best-in-class instruction so that they are empowered to go out and change the world.”

OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation invests over $1 million dollars annually in the OSV Challenge, including individual mentoring, capital investments for semi-finalists and spiritual accompaniment in addition to the five $100,000 prizes.

“We are not aiming to fund the next good idea, but to invest in people – emerging innovators and seasoned trailblazers – by forming a new generation of entrepreneurs who are not afraid to relook at how we encounter and evangelize the truth and beauty of the Catholic Church,” says OSV Institute President Jason Shanks. “The Church has always been at the forefront of great ideas – hospital systems, schools and universities, missions, shrines, and some of the greatest art known to man. The OSV Challenge is a search for Catholic innovators with world-changing ideas.”

Applications are encouraged from inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and any layperson. Submissions should be oriented around artistic endeavors, business ventures, Catholic education (k-12/higher education), diocesan and parish initiatives, ministry models, technology, physical products, and community or charity initiatives. While the projects do not need to have an explicitly Catholic or religious purpose, they should in some way impact the Catholic Church.

Learn more about the OSV Challenge and start the journey at osvchallenge.com.

A list of previous winners, including 2021 winners Catholic In Recovery, FemCatholic and Red Bird Ministries are listed here.

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About OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation: In 1915, Fr. John Francis Noll began the OSV Institute to extend the reach of Our Sunday Visitor in service and support of Catholic organizations. With over $80 million returned to Catholic organizations to date, the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation continues to serve the Church by supporting and encouraging innovative and effective Church-related programs and activities that forge new paths for people to encounter the truth and beauty of the Catholic Church. Learn more at osvinstitute.com.

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