The mission of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship program, presented by Women's Economic Venture a 501(c)3 corporation, is to support entrepreneurship at all levels.  This is accomplished through our annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards that are designed to recognize the contributions of women entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to the economy as well as to support future economic growth through the recognition, financial support (in the form of seed money) and education of student entrepreneurs in the area.

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards event is unique in that it inspires student entrepreneurs with role models as well as cash prizes while honoring outstanding women entrepreneurs.  The proceeds from the event go toward funding the student prizes and scholarships.

SOE partners with the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at SBCC, which selects the three student winners at both the high school level and Junior College level through their New Venture Challenge, a one-day business pitch competition. SOE  provides the six winners with prizes in the form of seed money to support their successful business plan.  In addition, scholarships to any four-year college or university are available to all the winning students.  The student winners attend the Awards dinner as guests of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.

There is also cash prize to support one of the winning women entrepreneurs from any of the Awards categories whose business is less than five years old.  This is our special Successful Entrepreneurs Giving Back Award, funded entirely by successful entrepreneurs.