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"Green VC is developing a comprehensive resource of funding sources for entreprenuers working on socially- or environmentally-focused ventures. Please visit the pages below for some initial funding sources and feel free to send suggestions for additional sources to info [at] greenvc.org * Green and Social Venture Business Plan Competitions * Green and Social Entreprenuership Awards, Competitions, and Fellowships * Green and Social Venture Capital * Green and Social Venture Credit and Lending "

"Green and Social Venture Credit and Lending One potential source of funding for green and social entrepreneurs is through loans and credit. Some banks and other institutions that include a focus on supporting green and social entrepreneurs are listed below."

"Green and Social Venture Capital One potential source of funding for green and social entrepreneurs is venture capital (VC). Venture capital firms generally make equity investments in enterprises beyond the seed stage of development. In addition to financial resources venture capital firms can provide business guidance and other resources to entrepreneurs. Many traditional venture capital firms now have dedicated funds and staff that focus on one or more aspects of environmental or social responsibility. In addition, some VC firms (sometimes known as "social venture capital firms") explicitly incorporate additional investment criteria, such as social or environmental benefits, in their mission and investing activities. This page also includes links to some relevant "angel investors." Angel investors generally provide capital at an early stage of an enterprise's development, prior to the period of investment by traditional venture capital firms."

"One potential source of funding for green and social entreprenuers is through a green or social venture business plan competition. These programs are organized by business schools and other organizations and are generally geared to ventures that are at an early stage in their development. Eligibility varies from event to event, but most school-based competitions require participation by students. Prize levels vary, but can exceed $50,000."

"Green and Social Entreprenuership Awards, Competitions, and Fellowships One potential source of funding for green and social entreprenuers is through an award, competition or fellowship. These program vary and include cash prizes for one-time contests, seed funding for new ventures, and later-stage funding for existing organizations. Note that some of these program provide funding for non-profit ventures only. The amount of funding provided by these programs vary, but can be as large as $1 million. These programs also can provide a variety of other resources beneficial for entreprenuers, including technical assistance and connection to a network of other entreprenuers."

"Government Funding and Programs Federal, state, and local governments offer a variety of programs to support green and social enterprises, including incentive programs for businesses to implement energy efficiency and clean energy measures. To suggest an addition to this list send an e-mail to info [at] greenvc.org"

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) exists to provide training and opportunities to enable people to use their creative and entrepreneurial abilities more fully for social benefit. SSE supports individuals to set up new charities, social enterprises and social businesses across the UK. The SSE runs practical learning programmes aimed at helping develop the individual entrepreneur and their organisation simultaneously: our approach, and belief, is that social change is people-powered, and that the most valuable assets and resources we have are human ones. Each programme combines specific elements designed to provide an intensive, complete package of support that meets the needs of social entrepreneurs. This person-centred approach has been independently proven to create sustainable, thriving organisations that provide significant, lasting social and economic impact. The school was founded in 1997 by Michael Young (Lord Young of Dartington), a social innovator who'd previously launched the Consumers' Association, the Open University and around 40 other organisations. Following successful Millennium Awards programmes around the UK, the SSE expanded outside its base in Bethnal Green, London, and the network of SSEs around the UK continues to grow. Over 500 SSE Fellows have completed programmes around the country. SSE is a registered charity (1085465) and a company limited by guarantee (3900741).

"Dedicated to ending the use of environmentally-destructive disposable plastic water bottles, the Bottle Brigade will both educate students about the reasons that these bottles are destructive and also work to find alternatives for people to purchase. To promote education, the Bottle Brigade will design a workshop and present this at local area elementary schools, providing students with important environmental knowledge and a customizable reusable water bottle. In addition, the Bottle Brigade will work with local high schools to end the sale of disposable bottles on campus, campaign towards shoppers about the dangers and alternatives, and sell reusable water bottles as a safe, green, alternative."

"Milepost Consulting weaves together strategic business acumen, a field-tested toolkit and communication know-how to help your team define its game plan, establish its road markers and learn from its accomplishments. Our cross-industry expertise gives us insight into how the markets are shifting course and a vision for the leadership position your company can establish. Together with your talent we'll help make phrases like "sustainability" and "green" meaningful to your business, navigate you through the complicated world of climate change and carbon emissions, and communicate with your stakeholders in a way that inspires them to action. Milepost is committed to helping you more effectively set your sights on your destination, chart your course, and have fun along the journey. "

Sustainable West Seattle's shape and activities reflect the talent and interests of those who come along for the ride, but we aim to provide resources and outreach for the West Seattle neighborhood on issues such as: * Renewable Energy & Conservation * Local Transportation Solutions * Eating Locally * Sustainable Health and Elder Care * Water & Waste Reduction * Community-Based Economics * Green Space Conservation Come to one of our many events!

"About Hydrovolts Hydrovolts' new hydropower technology taps a plentiful but overlooked global source of renewable energy from water currents in canals and channels. Hydrovolts turbines offer an economical and easy way to generate reliable, local clean power in millions of locations around the world. The company's initial market is artificial waterways such as irrigation canals and wastewater and cooling water discharges. After initial growth in the USA, Hydrovolts will supply the huge global market for affordable local clean power from canals, dams, rivers and even tidal channels.Hydrovolts won the 2009 National Sustainability Award in the Clean Tech Open, the world's largest clean tech business plan competition. The sustainability chapter of Hydrovolts' overall business plan was judged the best out of more than 280 entrants. The sustainability is available for free download from the Hydrovolts website. Hydrovolts also won the 2009 "Best Investment Opportunity" and a $50,000 investment prize from the Zino Society Green Forum. We became a B Corp because the B Impact Assessment and corporate structure requirements are fundamental to operating as a sustainable business. B Corp has created a management metric system that is relatively simple but comprehensive and related to global standards such as the Global Reporting Inititiave and the Business Charter for Sustainable Development of the International Chamber of Commerce. We will use the B Corp resources and network to ensure our growth to a sustainable corporation is guided by the best management practices for sustainable profits and positive impacts. The Change We Seek® The change we seek is local economic and environmental sustainability. The Hydrovolts technology produces electric power at the household scale. It also can pump water and make fresh drinking water using reverse osmosis. Over a billion people have no electricity at all, and more than that have unsafe drinking water. We can help them as part of

"Seattle Good Business Network is a new membership association of locally-owned, Seattle-area businesses that are committed to the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Its purpose is to educate member businesses on the value of operating sustainably, support them in improving or adopting sustainable practices, and connect them with the information and resources to create a healthy and prosperous local economy based on shared environmental and community values. We Imagine A Seattle Where: * Business profits are circulating within our regional economy, supporting other local businesses. * The very concept of "waste" is passé, where only renewable sources of energy and water are used, and carbon emissions are dramatically reduced. * Residents choose to buy local and green first, and businesses are active partners in their communities. * Everyone understands that the person behind the register is a neighbor. An economy based on these values-local ownership, environmental awareness, and community engagement-is a vibrant, resilient economy more immune to external upheaval and changes in global energy prices. Businesses that operate with these values are profitable, thriving businesses. With the right information and active support, local business owners have the power to transform their operations in ways that benefit their business, employees, customers, and our larger local economy. The Seattle Good Business Network aims to be a catalyst for this transformation. Membership Members of the Seattle Good Business Network are locally-owned businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocers, and bars; retailers of all kinds; personal care and home services; professional services of all kinds; and local producers. The Network will help its members: 1. Connect with other local businesses. We will establish a local business network to provide interactive ways for you to share valuable information about becoming more sustainable, includi

"about equilibrium capital group we are helping to build the leading companies that are defining sustainable commerce. our strategy is to invest in growth equity stage companies in the areas of green building, food shed, & resource management (in particular, waste and water management). sustainability trends are impacting both the cost structures and the product needs in each of these three sectors. the companies we target are not technology centric companies & are often overlooked. they have three common attributes: 1. brands that have created loyalty and reputation in their markets, but where their eventual value has yet to be harvested. what money can't buy is the authenticity of these brands and the degree that these entrepreneurs have build business models that execute sustainability throughout their product and business processes. 2. team/entrepreneurs that have a passion for these businesses. these are not in general people that have entered these sectors yesterday after reading about it in the Economist or the WSJ. these are pioneers and business people that are building lasting enterprises that serve these emerging market needs. these entrepreneurs see our work in the public policy of sustainability and in public service as value statements of our ability to understand them and their businesses. 3. operating in large & high growth market segment. our strategy is to partner with these entrepreneurs to unlock these levers, fuel enterprise value growth in these fast growing markets and create the leading companies in their sectors…while holding true to the values behind the brand. our goal is to build the leader in sustainability rooted investing. at the end of the day, it is about access and scope of opportunity. via our earned access in these sectors, we have surfaced and are gaining access to a significant number of these unique deals that fit this profile. "

"The Sustainable Business Alliance (SBA) is a membership organization for businesses committed to environmentally and socially responsible practices. SBA's triple bottom line: * Promoting awareness of just and sustainable practices * Educating our members and the community on business sustainability * Networking to grow each others' businesses and the green economy"

" As a management company, TouchPoint provides unique and innovative solutions. We do this by providing capital resources and building strategic partnerships with companies whose business models have future growth potential and are dedicated to building a responsible new economy. The recent collapse of global capital markets has been particularly onerous for companies seeking new investment to grow their business. Particularly hard hit have been Triple Bottom Line (TBL) companies, a sector of business defined by its commitment to people, planet and profit. While consumer demand for TBL products that has driven market caps to over $200B, there is currently only $5B of private equity capital invested into TBL companies. TouchPoint sees the current crisis as an opportunity for companies to raise new cash from the investment community. TouchPoint is a for profit company supporting for profit initiatives and enterprises. We do this in two ways. First, we build our own financial products. But in addition to that, we build strategic partnerships that scale and support other business models we believe have growth potential and will positively impact the future. We strive for sustainability and prosperity. TouchPoint is committed to developing sustainable resources, both at home and abroad. We share a vision with our partners of developing three sectors: Green Consumer Products, Renewable Energy and Emerging Market Development."

"You want non-toxic, environmentally friendly products from companies with good social and safety records. GoodGuide rates over 65,000 products based on these factors."