GSEHD doctoral student, Katherine Hurley (PhD in Counseling), won $30,000 for her project Cognitive Gym in GW's 2020 New Venture Competition - Social Venture Track. Katherine was awarded $20,000 as the "New Venture Track Winner" and $10,000 for the "Best Women's Venture Prize." Cognitive Gym is an engaging online curriculum specifically designed to help adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder meet employment and other goals.
The GW New Venture Competition (NVC) provides GW students, faculty, staff, and alumni with a real-world educational experience in developing, testing, and launching their own startups, business, and social ventures. Participants can enter their existing projects into one of five categories. The Social Venture Track, which Katherine entered, includes solutions focused on improving and sustaining the welfare and well-being of individuals or communities.
Last month, it was announced that two GSEHD teams progressed into the Semifinal round of the competition: Katherine Hurley with Cognitive Gym and Alison Cherry with DC Writers' Salon. The Salon started as a gathering where writers can meet together and work on their projects. Even though they're working in silence, it provides a space so they're not alone. It has grown to offer social and networking events, book clubs, workshops, and more.
There were 36 teams competing in the Semifinals (out of an original 206 teams at the start of the competition).