Ben & Jerry’s offers €10,000 prize to entrepreneurs

Ben & Jerry’s is looking for talented individuals from across Ireland who can create a business that embraces its philosophy of giving back to the community and environment.

Successful entrants will get the chance to pitch their business idea to a panel of industry leaders – including Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield, and representatives from Ashoka, VSO (international development organisation) and The Fairtrade Foundation (independent certification body).

Aside from the cash, the five ultimate winners will also win mentoring from Ashoka and the chance to see their name on tubs of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in 2013.

“When we set-up the company in 1978, Ben [Cohen] and I always believed giving back to the community was as important as making great tasting ice-cream,” says Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s.

“That’s why I’m really excited about this competition — to find business models with those same values that still lead us today.”

Twenty five entrepreneurial semi-finalists will present their ideas to the judging panel in London. Three Irish finalists will be chosen by the panel, along with 12 other European candidates to go to Africa to share their social business ideas and help local development.