Social enterprise, Okra Solar, is preparing to go head-to-head in a series of spirited pitches with 25 of the hottest start-ups from around the world, following its win of the Australian final of the Chivas Venture.

Run annually by leading blended Scotch whisky Chivas, the Chivas Venture is a global competition that gives away $1 million in no-strings funding every year to social businesses that blend profit and purpose to have a positive impact on the world.

Since the competition first launched in 2014, over 8,000 social enterprises have applied for the chance to receive a share of the annual $1 million fund. To date, the competition has awarded $5m across 100 startups, who have positively impacted over 2 million lives around the world.

Okra Solar designs and develops plug-and-play smart grid technology to provide tools specifically for energy utilities in countries with large off-grid populations, ensuring remote communities have access to sustainable power solutions.

Damian Veling, founder of Okra Solar, will now embark on the journey of a lifetime that will put his business to the test on a global scale. In the run-up to the Global Final in June, the 26 social entrepreneurs will travel to London to take part in a three-day accelerator programme - providing exposure to experts and industry professionals, and a range of networking opportunities. The entrepreneurs will engage in one-on-one coaching sessions, taking their businesses to the next level and ensuring a pitch-perfect performance.

"There are currently 1 billion people living without power - so now is the time to act!” said Damian Veling. “Okra Solar's aim is to get the power to the people and with the help of the Chivas Venture, we have the opportunity to grow our business to provide accessible, available and affordable energy to secluded communities around the world. We are so excited to embark on this next chapter for Okra Solar and represent our country at the Global Final of the Chivas Venture." 

Last year's winner, Javier Larragoiti, founder of Mexico's Xilinat said, "Taking part in the Chivas Venture has been an unbelievable and life-changing experience for me and my business; to see all my years of hard work and belief in my product shared on a global scale was a dream come true. The competition has provided Xilinat with a global platform and the funding to change the course of the sugar industry forever...pretty sweet, right?"

Just as Chivas champions the perfect blend of malt and grain whiskies in its Scotch, the Chivas Venture champions entrepreneurs who blend profit and purpose to have a positive impact on the world. Find out more about the Chivas Venture and why blending profit and purpose is better here.

More from The Business Conversation:

The indigenous tech company opening global doors from the ACT

Major award wins at the 2020 Australian Grand Dairy Awards boost Beston's tally to 119

The Empowered Woman 2020 Awards nominations are open