The Social Innovation Challenge was launched in 2011 out of the Center for Peace and Commerce, a joint initiative of the University of San Diego’s School of Business and the Kroc School of Peace Studies. SIC was designed to inspire university students to tackle humanity’s pressing problems through social innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2014, the SIC grew to include local universities in San Diego, and in 2016 to include the Tijuana, Mexico region. In 2018, the SIC was expanded again to include student teams from universities around the world becoming the Global Social Innovation Challenge.  

In 2019, the University of San Diego and the University of St. Thomas received a generous gift from Ron and Alexis Fowler inspiring them to launch a joint partnership. By working together, the new collaboration will amplify this Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge, improve the quality and quantity of entrepreneurial opportunities, expand national and international reach, and continue to build a global movement based on people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.