The Power of Small

SAP has launched a global online competition to identify and reward organizations that focus on helping emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses. Employees are encouraged to get involved

SAP recently launched a competition, called The Power of Small: Entrepreneurs strengthening local economies, as part of its 40 anniversary activities. The competition is being run in cooperation with Ashoka Changemakers – a group that connects and supports entrepreneurs around the globe, with the aim of solving the world’s most pressing social problems.
Currently around 30 organizations have submitted their entries on Ashoka Changemakers’ online platform.  Organizers of the competition expect that by September 5, when the entry period closes, the Power of Small competition will have attracted over 200 entries from all over the world. Four winners will be announced at SAP SAPPHIRE NOW! in Madrid and awarded with a prize that includes USD10,000, a technology donation as well as volunteer hours and a promotion package from SAP.
Eligible organizations must have innovative concepts (or strategies) for helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and thrive in underserved communities. These could include, for example, organizations that help entrepreneurs scale their businesses, help small businesses get plugged in to larger supply chains and government resources or offer entrepreneurial skills-development to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge needed to succeed in business.

Calling all employees – get involved!

There are several ways SAP employees can get involved in the Power of Small competition, including by nominating relevant organizations to enter. Organizations that are nominated by SAP employees and then selected among the 40 semi-finalists (on October 10), will receive an award of USD 2,000.
Employees are also encouraged register on the competition platform and collaborate with entrants by providing feedback and joining discussions. A panel of judges will later on narrow the participants down to a smaller group of 10 – 15 finalists whose names will be announced on October 22, 2012. Employees will then be able to participate in the second phase of the competition by voting for their favorite concepts on the competition platform, thereby helping determine who the four winners will be.
Alexandra van der Ploeg, the Power of Small competition project lead says: “This is a great opportunity for SAP employees to get involved and engaged in an initiative that’s fully aligned with SAP’s mission. We believe that by nominating, collaborating with and voting for the organizations that are empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses, employees can ultimately help improve peoples’ lives”.