Disruption Lab
Social Innovation — a catalyst for social change
The Disruption Lab is an engaging immersion into the world of social innovation and its implications for using business as a catalyst for social change. Participants will have the opportunity to work in teams to create innovative solutions for social impact challenges that growing dynamic organizations are facing today.
Teams will begin by reviewing a challenge provided by the organization participating in the event. They will have the day of the Hackathon to engage with the problem and brainstorm potential solutions. Teams will then provide a pitch deck presentation and pitch to a team of judges detailing their unique ideas and resolutions.
Participation is offered in-person, with virtual options for the Q&A sessions. Final presentations are in-person only.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and sharpen critical thinking in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Registration Opens in December
Event registration will reopen in December 2025.
2026 Key dates & deadlines
| Task | Date |
|---|---|
| Registrations Opens | Mon, Jan 5 @ 9 am (ET) |
| Registrations Closes | Mon, Jan 26 @ 9 am (ET) |
| Team Formation | Tue, Jan 27 @ 9 am (ET) |
| Info Session 1 | Wed, Jan 28 @ 1 pm (ET) |
| Info Session 2 | Thu, Jan 29 @ 1 pm (ET) |
| Case Released | Fri, Jan 30 @ 5 pm (ET) |
| Finals Day (in-person) | Sat, Jan 31, 9 am - 5 pm (ET) |
Experiential Ventures Funding
Experience Ventures enables university students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through project-based experiences. The initiative has benefits for both students and companies:
- Hone your entrepreneurial innovation skills to become future ready
- A clear explanation of the product or service and the pain point/problem you are solving that answers the ‘so what.’ - build the emotional attachment to ‘why should we care?” and ‘how will this make life better for the target market?’
- Energize new companies with the next generation of talent and amplify impact
- Build innovation networks with diverse and passionate talent
- The experiential learning cycle is a four-step learning process that is applied multiple times in every interaction and experience: Experience – Reflect – Think – Act.
- Each Experience Ventures placement fosters Experiential Learning
- Experiential Learning is an important part to a student’s educational and career journey
The Ask for Our Partner Organizations
- A unique case that stimulates students and creates a comprehensive overview of an issue that requires troubleshooting and teamwork to solve. This should be easily digested, discussed and solvable in one day, as a team.
- The partner organizations would work with CEISI to create a living case that will guide the students on their path to a solution to a real-world issue.
- The partner organization would be available to host an information session(s) during the week leading up to the Finals as well as being on-site for the pitches.
- The partner organization would work with the winning team to implement their solution and provide CEISI with a written report on the impact of the proposed solution.
Please contact us if you're interested in participating.