The National Credit Union Foundation's Emmy Award-winning Biz Kid$ recently launched a new contest for kids called “Build Your Social Biz.”

The competition is a hunt for America's most worthy, fledgling social entrepreneurs. The top prize is $3,000 and mentoring from an experienced business expert at Ernst & Young, which is sponsoring the contestBiz Kid$ is a credit union-funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

Social entrepreneurs are people who try to make a difference in the world with their business, the NCUF said. They use their business structure or profits to effect a social, cultural or environmental change.

The social biz is not a limited-period fundraising vehicle – it's an actual business, the NCUF said.

Social entrepreneurs who have an idea for improving their community are invited to capture that vision in a one-minute video to compete in “Build Your Social Biz” for cash prizes to fund their venture. The contest is open to existing businesses or enterprises that are still just a gleam in an entrepreneur's eye, the foundation said.

“This is a great opportunity for credit unions to pass along to their members,” said Danielle Brown, NCUF's national coordinator for Biz Kid$. Many credit unions leverage Biz Kid$ to teach financial education in schools in their community.

To enter the contest, contestants must fill out the online entry form on bizkids.com and then upload their one-minute video pitch. Entries will not be judged by the quality of the video but by the presentation of the vision for their social enterprise.

Entries are due Dec. 31, 2012. A panel of judges will cull the top five entrants, and the names will be posted on the Biz Kid$ website by mid-February. The winner will be chosen by popular vote, which will take place over four weeks.

Winners will be announced by the end of March. First place will win $3,000 and a lunch with a special guest; runner up will win $1,500; and three honorable mentions will win $500 each. All finalists will be paired with an expert mentor chosen to fit the nature of their business.

Biz Kid$, which premiered in January 2008, quickly grew into a national phenomenon. Since the series launch, Biz Kid$ has been broadcast to more than 271 million people, in more than 98% of the country on more than 338 public television stations. In its five seasons, Biz Kid$ has garnered 10 Emmy nominations, winning once in 2009.

The NCUF oversees fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities of Biz Kid$. Over the past six years, more than 290 credit unions and affiliated organizations have raised more than $13.2 million that has supported the show's production, website and curriculum, the foundation said.

Instant Insights /

NCUF Seeking Promising Young Entrepreneurs Seeking to Make a Difference

Related Stories

Recommended For You