The Greater Good Challenge-İzmir Project, implemented by the TOBB İzmir Women Entrepreneurs Council—coordinated by the Izmir Commodity Exchange—in cooperation with the BEBA Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation and Yaşar University, invites young entrepreneurs to develop business ideas focused on social benefit.
Enabling young entrepreneurs to develop innovative, sustainable, and applicable solutions to social and global issues, and covering a wide impact area ranging from sustainability and health technologies to education and financial inclusion, the international business plan competition Greater Good Challenge—organized for the first time in İzmir—aims to transform young people's innovative ideas from the project phase into sustainable business models. Through the training, mentorship, and ecosystem connections provided throughout the program, participants will mature their ideas while gaining the opportunity to compete for major awards at the grand finale.
The competition is open to young people aged 18–30 living in İzmir and is based on team participation. Each team is expected to consist of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 members, including at least one female participant and one university student. Encouraging interdisciplinary teams, the program supports the generation of innovative solutions by bringing different perspectives together.
Finalist teams will have the opportunity to win awards and further develop their ventures by presenting their projects before the jury. At the same time, direct contact established with industry professionals and investors will make a significant contribution to the commercialization process of the projects.
Applications Now Open
Applications continue for a limited time for young entrepreneurs who want to bring their socially beneficial ideas to life. Detailed information regarding the competition, which has an application deadline of May 8, 2026, can be accessed on the project's official website (https://sofi.yasar.edu.tr/greater-good-challenge/). All young entrepreneurs wishing to take part in this journey starting from İzmir are invited to apply.
