For the past 11 years, SOCAP has requested session submissions from thought leaders worldwide to help shape the content at our annual event. We know that collaboration is the key to unlocking capital for impact and catalyzing systemic change. That’s why a third of the content at our annual event is community-driven programming. SOCAP Open invites diverse voices to take the stage, share transformative ideas, and lead dynamic, action-oriented conversations.
Anyone who has an idea, solution, or call to action to drive progress related to the theme and tracks for SOCAP25 is encouraged to participate. Following the submission period, our community will vote for the sessions they find most important to bring to life. Selected sessions will earn all participating speakers a complimentary ticket to SOCAP25.
With planning for SOCAP25 well underway, we are thrilled to announce that we will begin accepting SOCAP Open submissions on February 18, 2025. This year, we are emphasizing collaboration across sectors and disciplines, bringing impact to the mainstream in a bold and innovative way. The SOCAP Global team hosted a webinar on February 27 to share more about this year’s theme, the Open process, and what we’re looking for in proposals. Access the webinar recording here!
Here’s everything you need to know about participating in the 2025 SOCAP Open.
What Is SOCAP Open?
SOCAP Open is more than just a call for submissions—it is a call to action. We invite you to break silos, challenge assumptions, and collaborate in new and unexpected ways. To build a more inclusive and sustainable future, we must engage with voices across sectors, geographies, and lived experiences. SOCAP Open provides an opportunity for our global impact community to submit session proposals for SOCAP25 that foster collaboration and move beyond discussion to action.
Why SOCAP Open?
At SOCAP, we believe that transformative impact requires working together across traditional boundaries. While curated content and partnerships are integral to the conference, SOCAP Open ensures that at least one-third of our programming is community-led, bringing in fresh perspectives and ideas that might otherwise go unheard. This year, we are prioritizing sessions that promote cross-sector collaboration, highlight actionable solutions, and challenge the status quo in meaningful ways. Selected speakers will not only gain a platform at SOCAP25 but will also receive full registration coverage, valued at $1,999.
Who Should Participate?
SOCAP Open welcomes individuals and organizations ready to take impact to the next level. We are especially looking for:
- Changemakers forging unexpected partnerships across industries
- Practitioners who are working at the intersection of impact and mainstream markets
- Voices that have not yet had an opportunity to share on the SOCAP stage
- Those leading dynamic, action-oriented discussions that drive tangible results
- Leaders looking to facilitate connection and networking within the SOCAP community
How Can You Contribute?
As you prepare your SOCAP Open submission, consider the following:
- Highlight new and forward-thinking voices
- Underrepresented, under-resourced, and new organizations will be prioritized
- Highly participatory session structures will be prioritized
- The ability to bring topic-expert speakers
- Guide our community in being vulnerable and connect in new ways
- Be inclusive, diverse, and global
- Bring healthy controversy and challenge echo chambers
- Equip others to replicate successful approaches
- What are we not talking about in the impact world that we should be talking about?
- Review SOCAP25’s Theme and Tracks to ensure alignment
SOCAP Open 2025 Timeline
- February 18: SOCAP Open Launches — submit your session proposals here!
- February 27: Guide to SOCAP Open webinar for anyone interested in participating in SOCAP Open — register free here!
- March 23: SOCAP Open Submissions Close (no late submissions will be processed)
- Week of March 26: First-round submissions review and cut; session organizers not selected will be notified (see below for criteria)
- March 31 through April 13: Community voting on SOCAP’s website
- April 17 through April 21: Second sessions review and cut; session organizers not selected will be notified
- Week of June 2: Final selection and session cut takes place; all session organizers will be notified
- June 9 through June 20: Calibration calls with all selected session organizers
- June 23: Final resubmission of selected sessions with agreed changes and updates due
- June 30: Selected sessions publicly announced
Please visit our SOCAP Open guidelines for additional information on our selection process and timeline in preparation for your session submission.
If you want to secure content at SOCAP25, a partnership might be right for you. Contact our Executive Director of Partnerships, Tova Lobatz, to learn more.
Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the SOCAP Open sessions at SOCAP24!
Systemic Change: Addressing Racism, Intergenerational Trauma, & Mental Health in Impact Investing
This SOCAP24 session, featuring Dr. Olajide Williams (Community Health at Columbia University and Hip Hop Public Health), Chuck D. (Public Enemy), Jimmie Briggs (Justice and Equity at Skoll Foundation), and Lori Rose Benson (Hip Hop Public Health), spotlights how funders and impact investors can leverage mental health and anti-racism initiatives to drive systemic change.
A Global Perspective: Ethical Student Finance for Accessibility, Affordability, and Sustainability
Thought leaders dissect the complexities and opportunities in shaping the future of education through alternative investment pathways. This SOCAP24 session transcends geographical boundaries, featuring insights from Africa, Latin America, and North America on the evolving landscape of income share agreements (ISAs) in education. Speakers include Batya Blankers (Chancen International), Kira Gidron (Lumni), Kevin James (Better Future Forward), Felipe Vergara (Lumni), and Sarah Salomon (UBS).
Emerging Mental Health Strategies from Investors & Innovators to Drive a More Equitable Future
This SOCAP24 panel addresses the critical issue of fragmentation within the mental health care ecosystem, examining the challenges of providing cohesive and effective care across various populations and systems. Panelists explore the creation of solutions for a more integrated and equitable mental health infrastructure through the perspectives of investors, entrepreneurs, service providers, and therapists. Hear from Andrew Barr (GreyMatter Capital), Charmain Jackman (InnoPsych), Kristine Santoro (Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services), Erin Sietstra (Hopelab), and Andy Riemer (SidePorch).
