Jackson Phillips

Have you ever wanted to build something out of nothing — and actually test it out? At first, it seems impossible. How can you test something that doesn’t exist yet?

Simple: the idea exists.
The vision exists.
You exist, and that’s enough.

Many people think building a startup is all about having a finished product you can show off. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The real product is the innovator behind it, the dreamer bold enough to imagine something new.

The Social Venture Challenge was a celebration of exactly that. It brought together a community of people who think beyond just creation.Ppople who are actively solving real world problems and working to make our communities better.

The people I met, and the startups I heard from, were truly inspiring.

I had the privilege of pitching UniExchange, my startup: a marketplace app exclusively for students. UniExchange was born from my own experiences.

As a student on a tight budget, I often bought and sold secondhand items, but I quickly realized that overconsumption isn’t just a trend, it’s a problem. And using popular secondhand platforms often led to unsafe, uncomfortable experiences.

I kept searching for a better, safer, more convenient solution, but it didn’t exist. So, I built it.

That’s what entrepreneurship is all about: seeing the gap, feeling the need, and taking the leap to build the solution yourself.

Pitching at the Social Venture Challenge wasn’t just about showcasing an app. It was about sharing my story, my mission, and my belief that sustainability, safety, and community can, and should, go hand in hand.

The Social Venture Challenge is more than a competition. It’s a gathering place for builders, dreamers, and innovators who care about sustainability, impact, and the future. 

It was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had, and I encourage anyone who has a dream, no matter how big or small, to take that first step. Because when you do, you’ll find that there are people out there who believe in your vision too.