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Brian Howe

B Corporation - 0 views

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    "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
Brian Howe

shiftalliance - 0 views

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    Our mission is to help companies reach their highest potential in the context of the next paradigms in business. At shiftalliance™, we advise businesses on how to innovate their entire business model through the lens of meaningfulness, the key value driver of the 21st century. shiftalliance shows a business-any business-how to improve profitability with minimal capital investment from the companies we serve. We are experts in powerful, low-cost ways of discovering new ideas to increase the value your company generates, motivating a company's work force, inspiring its leaders and attracting new customers. Whether you're a leader seeking to revitalize the ROI of an existing business or a venture capitalist needing to optimize a business in your portfolio, shiftalliance™ can help you discover the innovation opportunities to enhance your business model and align your company with emerging shifts of the 21st century. Our singular approach comes from the combination of rigorous business analysis + design thinking + awareness mindset leadership coaching to unlock the full potential of your strategy, leaders and performance. We coach your people to lead and embed meaningfulness into your culture. We became a B Corp immediately upon discovering B Corporation. We had collected 231+ better practices in business and realized that B Lab was promoting many of these practices through their certification and legislation initiatives. We were thrilled to discover that companies could be recognized for their meaningful practices and potentially even benefit financially (through tax breaks) as a result of their commitment to socially responsibility. Most management and specialist consulting firms address business, organization development, innovation, brand or sustainability. We use the lens of meaning, the value driver of the 21c, to assess, innovate and embed all of the above into meaningful business models and unleash greater value for all stakeholders and the enter
Brian Howe

Fair Trade Sports | sustainable eco soccer balls and more - 0 views

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    About Fair Trade Sports Fair Trade Sports, Inc is the first sports equipment company in the US to launch a full line of eco-certified Fair Trade sports balls, ensuring fair wages and healthy working conditions for our adult workers. We have sports balls for soccer, football, basketball, rugby, volleyball, and more. We became a Founding B Corporation to join forces with other purpose-driven companies in our pursuit of a new, better corporate standard. We are committed to donating all profits after taxes to children's charities, both domestic and international. Sound familiar? It's a similar idea to the one behind the Newman's Own brand you see in the grocery store. Fair Trade Sports The Change We Seek™ We seek to ensure fair wages and healthy working conditions for adult (not child) workers and generate significant dollars for children's charities in the process. * How exactly do your dollars help when you buy a ball from Fair Trade Sports? A significant milestone for Fair Trade is that the producers of a product should earn enough in order to provide for themselves and their families. If adults can pay for shelter, food, clothing, medical needs, emergencies, and expenses for education, then children no longer have to contribute to family income. We at Fair Trade Sports sell only balls that have passed the standards of the Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO). The payments we make for these balls includes a 20% premium, which is used for improving the lives of the workers, their families and their communities. Together, workers and management form a "Talon Workers Welfare Society" and decide how to dispurse the Fair Trade Sports half of the 20% premium to benefit the group (the other half goes directly to the workers themselves). Programs include community clinics and healthcare insurance - a first in this industry - as well as micro-credit loans and more. * Until we reach profitability, we are donating $1000 annually to charities which benefit at-ris
Brian Howe

UTILIKILTS - American Made Utility Kilts for Everyday Wear - 0 views

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    The Utilikilts Company is committed to pioneering a comfortable alternative to trousers by producing "Men's Unbifurcated Garments" (MUG's). The Utilikilt has become a growing social phenomenon, inspired debate, consistently challenged the media, changed lives, and created a common symbolism among its wearers. With customers all over the world, the Utilikilts Co. continues to both pioneer and to follow the best examples it can find, in every area of running a socially responsible business. We became a B Corp because Utilikilitarians are evangelists. We want to have an impact on public policy in this country. Our politicians aren't doing what we need them to do and hopefully a community of businesses like this can become a constituency for change. The Utilikilts Company, established April 2000, was originally founded in order to fund a global arts project that would travel the world putting on an interactive road show of music, dance, video art, and drama and leaving change in its wake. The Utilikilt was one of several designs implemented by Form Follows Function, an original design company, in order to raise money for this Arts project. The Utilikilt spawned the Utilikilts Company, and right before our eyes, this unique garment began to accomplish the goals that Form Follows Function had originally set out to promote. The Change We Seek™ Utilikilts seeks to set a global example, defining "business with a conscience", driving a worldwide paradigm shift toward a more conscientious form of capitalism, and channeling company gains and resources back into the community. * Our mission statement explicity states that the management of the company will not exploit cultures, peoples or environments to achieve capital gains. * We strive to be socially, environmentally, and economically responsible and make a vigilant effort to construct a profitable, sustainable, and transparent business class or corporation type having 7th generation values that will
Brian Howe

about equilibrium capital group « Conscience & Commerce™: Mission Driven Comm... - 0 views

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    "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. "
Brian Howe

Parsons PR - 0 views

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    We get results! - We don't just have great ideas; we know how to turn these ideas into actions that lead to results. We have proven success in earning our clients quality and frequent media placement - both locally and nationally. We are strategic in identifying story opportunities and keeping on top of emerging trends. We tell compelling stories and give editors what they want the way they want it. We are social media experts - We know that the ever-evolving online world of blogs, social networking and bookmarking sites, micro-blogs, and forums can seem overwhelming. There can be thousands of bloggers talking about your business, as well as relationships to develop using Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. We craft successful viral campaigns, navigating the social media space to identify opportunities and who our clients should connect with. We are also active participants in, and monitors of, relevant conversations and are fluent in the myriad ways our clients can effectively participate. Connect with us on Facebook We build strong relationships - We take the time to really get to know our clients and their work intimately with regular face-to-face meetings and conversations. And we provide detailed monthly status reports so they always know what work we are doing on their behalf and why. We have earned a solid reputation among our diverse media contacts as an excellent resource for stories and are counted on for accurate and timely assistance with story development. In addition, we have numerous connections that can be catalysts for extending the impact of our communication efforts. We take a team approach - Instead of the traditional agency "silo" approach to client services, our staff collaborates on all clients so they benefit from the collective brain trust of our entire team. We do our homework - In order to serve our clients in a fast-changing media and economic landscape, we stay on top of the latest research, statistics and trends wi
Brian Howe

B Corporation - 0 views

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    "Pura Vida Coffee sells 100% organic, fair trade and shade grown coffee and a full line of sustainable beverages to individual and institutional customers throughout the US. We believe that companies can be both 'tough-minded and tender-hearted', integrating the discipline and rigor of a for-profit with the heart and soul of a mission-driven non-profit organization. We believe that there is a 'new sector' forming and want to be in on the ground floor! The mission of Pura Vida is to Create Good™ by using business to empower producers, motivate consumers, inspire business leaders, and, ultimately, serve the poor. By utilizing every facet of our company-capital structure, governance, employee recruitment, product sourcing, marketing and sales-to achieve social outcomes, we can demonstrate that the worlds of business and charity can not only co-exist, but can thrive on one another. Pura Vida Children The Change We Seek™ The mission of Pura Vida is to bring compassion and capitalism together in order to "Create Good™" for children living in coffee communities around the world. * Pura Vida seeks to provide all of its coffee farmers enjoy a fair wage and can support a family. To accomplish that goal, we only buy and sell 100% Fair Trade coffee, which ensures that our workers are treated fairly and that their land is preserved naturally. * We also make sure that we are active in the communities where our coffee is grown. Pura Vida operates programs for at-risk children through the sale of products and the financial support of customers and partners. We work in partnership with local non-profit agencies to provide educational opportunity and nurture physical health, confidence, character, and strength of spirit. * All of our coffee is organic and shade-grown, which means that every bean we harvest is as pure as it can possibly be. Growing our coffee in the shade preserves the nutrients and minerals found in coffee beans, and our organic status affirms
Brian Howe

SSE - School for Social Entrepreneurs - 0 views

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    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).
Brian Howe

B Corporation - 0 views

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    "egg is a visionary marketing, brand development, and advertising agency for sustainable brands. We specialize in creating emotional connections between the conscious consumer and sustainable brands. Our proprietary research into and understanding of this rapidly-growing cultural movement provides us with the insights needed to create messages that inspire action and brand loyalty. As a leading visionary in the realm of marketing and brand development for economic, social, and environmental change, egg similarly believes in the need to reassess, redefine and renegotiate the corporate charter to serve a greater public need beyond solely private economic benefit. egg believes in this new effort to register "public benefit companies". Today, people expect more from brands and companies. They are searching for brands that share their values and priorities. They look behind the logo, often voting with their pocketbooks to ensure that their personal values are reflected in their spending. egg is a one-of-a-kind brand communications firm that specializes in helping these brands build lasting, meaningful connections with today's conscious consumer. The Change We Seek™ egg seeks to build brands for a better future. * Our strength is building connections between consumers and responsible brands. We understand today's conscious consumer, and we know how to communicate with them through traditional and non-traditional channels. Communicating about responsible brands requires a simple but transformational shift in thinking, both in the message and the medium. For example, responsible brands find little benefit from spin. Instead, they find success in a meaningful amplification of what they truly are - from authenticity. * We gear our brand-building toward the 7-70 consumer. 7% of the population is socially responsible to the core. And 70% are socially responsible in some way, but to a lesser extent. They are motivated by many different values and ideas, but
Brian Howe

Culinary Collective ~ Importers of Gourmet Cultural Foods - 0 views

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    About Culinary Collective Culinary Collective is an import and distribution company specializing in gourmet cultural foods that embody and promote their native culture and traditions. They work with small family and community companies that take pride in producing all natural foods using methods and recipes passed down through the generations. We became a B Corp because we believe that a truly responsible business serves itself, its employees, its stakeholders, and society's best interests by promoting social equity, environmental restoration, and sustainable economic development. All products are completely natural and free of preservatives or colorants. Organic certification is pursued whenever feasible. Products and ingredients are sourced using fair sourcing criteria to ensure that farmers and producers receive a fair price and that no communities are exploited in the trade process. We select our products to promote local traditions and food cultures. The Change We Seek® Through their purchasing practices Culinary Collective aims to raise the living standards for our producers and farmers while encouraging environmental stewardship and community investment. The two internal divisions of Culinary Collective, Matiz España and Zócalo Gourmet, share the Collective social, environmental, and financial principles. Matiz España specializes in locating and importing specialty gourmet food products from small producers in Spain. Zócalo Gourmet supports agricultural communities and traditions in Latin America through the importation of traditional native gourmet food. * Provide society with services and products that add meaningful value to our lives. These products and services provide society with utility or joy without harming human or environmental health at any point in their life cycle. * Contribute to the creation of self-reliant communities by subscribing to local business principles including the local sourcing of production materials, employees,
Brian Howe

INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship - 0 views

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    While social entrepreneurs have emerged in every sector and nearly every market, they often lack the high-level business, management, and strategy skills that have propelled the private sector to its remarkable growth. We aim to leverage our expertise in management education and training to develop and deliver the world's best executive training for social entrepreneurs. Our pioneer ISEP program, launched in 2005 and running annually in both our Fontainebleau and Singapore campus, has established itself as the most valuable for program for leading social entrepreneurs and the entry ticket into a valuable life-long network of support and knowledge sharing. More fundamentally, we aim to organize our faculty and bring our academic expertise to bear upon the unique challenges faced by social entrepreneurs. Our research agenda aims to foster a two way dialogue: advanced management thinking is applied to the challenges of social entrepreneurs while the innovative approach of social entrepreneurs is leveraged back into business research and corporate practice. The social entrepreneurship initiative is housed under both INSEAD's Social Innovation Centre and the Rudolf and Valeria Maag International Centre for Entrepreneurship. The Social Innovation Centre is a premier hub for research and learning on the connection between business and society. The Maag Centre is the catalyst at INSEAD for innovations in entrepreneurship research, teaching and outreach.
Brian Howe

Investment Group: Social Capital Markets - 0 views

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    About SOCAP10 Today a new form of capitalism is arising that recognizes both the power and efficiency of market systems and the ability to direct them toward social and environmental issues leading to a more balanced set of "returns." Early efforts by social entrepreneurs and enlightened investors have given rise to "Social Capital Markets" that include affordable housing, clean technology, microfinance, fair trade and many other socially focused enterprises. SOCAP10 convenes the major players and emerging thought leaders in the field to discuss innovative ways to expand those markets and bring socially responsible investing and the channeling of capital to SMEs and grassroots business organizations into the mainstream. We want to talk about where private sector dollars can work at venture start up speed without being encumbered by laborious engagement with government structures who have complex theories of change. We'd like to bring funders to the table to talk about how they can co-invest and what restraints there are around the capital, including expectations and desired impacts. We'd like to bring NGO's and entrepreneurs to the table to talk to the ways they are working with government to make their programs more effective. We want to bring government to the table to talk about the channels they are opening for private and public partnerships. We need to change the way we do business, as individuals, organizations and government institutions. We want to prove that it is possible to do well by doing good.
Brian Howe

Bristlecone Advisors - 0 views

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    Bristlecone Advisors is an independent investment advisory firm and multi-family office providing objective, authentic, and comprehensive wealth management services to families and individuals. Founded in 1999, our business model has always been, and always will be, wholly driven by working for the client. As such, our advice, the solutions we provide, and the work we do for you is completely personalized and unbiased. Advisory in nature, we craft solutions with the ultimate goal of adding economic value for our clients. At the same time, we simplify the complexities that may accompany wealth by returning time and peace of mind to the client. The Bristlecone Advisors team is united in our unwavering commitment to our clients and their families. With client relationships at the heart of our organization, we place great emphasis on doing what's right for the client in every single case. You are our partner; we work with you and for you. The Change We Seek™ As conscientious business leaders, Bristlecone Advisors is committed to making positive social change through community involvement. Leveraging our collective networks, expertise and enthusiasm, we embrace our responsibility to strengthen the communities in which we live and work. Examples of community groups we have supported:
Brian Howe

Seattle Good Business Network - The Idea - 0 views

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    "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
Brian Howe

About CGD : Center for Global Development - 0 views

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    "The Center for Global Development is an independent, nonprofit policy research organization that is dedicated to reducing global poverty and inequality and to making globalization work for the poor. Through a combination of research and strategic outreach, the Center actively engages policymakers and the public to influence the policies of the United States, other rich countries, and such institutions as the World Bank, the IMF, and the World Trade Organization to improve the economic and social development prospects in poor countries. CGD was recently ranked among the world's top think tanks (number 15 out of several thousand such research organizations) in an independent survey-based ranking published in Foreign Policy magazine."
Brian Howe

American Sustainable Business Council Home - 0 views

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    "American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a powerful coalition of business networks committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy. The Council is dedicated to moving beyond the politics and practices of the past to identify the innovative solutions that will transform our economy and society. We are committed to ensuring that America's businesses and social enterprises will be a major driving force behind this transformation. ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers, and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes. We believe the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just the right commitments, investments, and reforms today will ensure a strong economy for tomorrow."
Brian Howe

CivicActions | Strategic Internet & Drupal Consulting - 0 views

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    How We Work CivicActions is a "virtual" firm. We have no physical offices. Our team members work from wherever they choose, in countries around the world. Every day we convene online through email, conference calls, video chats, and meetings in IRC. Project teams also periodically meet in person, often with our clients, to work together in agile sprints. Our Vision At CivicActions, we believe in aligning our work with our values. Every member of our team is committed to taking action in the world so that we make positive, sustainable change. Learn more about our collective vision... Join Our Team We're looking for crazy-smart people who want to use their web super powers for good. We're changing the world by creating teams of people with off-the-hook talent, creativity and heart to serve our clients who are all actively engaged in making the world a better place. We are committed to the health of the world and your health as well: we believe in balancing work with the rest of our lives. We are entirely virtual (our team of 40+ work from their homes in 7 timezones around the world) allowing you to pick the time and place to work. Our team members are also musicians, parents, community activists, and travelers. Learn more about joining CivicActions...
Brian Howe

www.academies-se.org - Academies for Social Entrepreneurship - 0 views

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    The Academies for Social Entrepreneurship creates training and mentoring programs for sustainable, mission-based businesses. Our core program is Social Enterprise Academies. The Academies for Social Entrepreneurship plays the role of convener and catalyst, connecting the organizations and people needed to create, grow and celebrate social enterprises. SOCIAL ENTERPISE ACADEMIES ABOUT THE ACADEMY A Social Enterprise Academy creates an eco-system of support that nurtures entrepreneurship and innovation in non-profit organizations. Its goals are to: * Enable non-profit organizations to develop the skill sets and resources that will enable them to attract growth capital and increase revenue from earned, rather than donated income. * Build overall organizational capacity. Academies enable non-profits to improve organizational performance by applying business practices and analytical thinking to their everyday operations. * Create community-based change in the broader local non-profit marketplace by promoting convergence between the best practices of business and philanthropy. IMPACT OF THE ACADEMY To date, our unique combination of training, mentoring & "fast pitch" plan competition has: * Expanded capacity in 126 non-profit organizations; * Utilized the mentoring talents of more than 100 business men and women ; * Produced millions of dollars in new investment and earned income streams. 90% of those participating in one of our business plan competitions say that it had a significant positive impact and 65% have launched or expanded ventures which generate new income for their agencies within a year. Academies are currently planned or under way in OrangeCounty and Los Angeles and San Diego counties (California) and in Las Vegas.
Brian Howe

Springboard Innovation - About us - 0 views

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    "Committed and innovative people change the world. Our mission is to enable youth and adults to solve challenges with sustainable, innovative solutions. The world needs genuine innovators-those who dedicate themselves to an ideal, draw from many domains, and reframe challenges as opportunities. Innovators not only move mountains but often change the entire landscape. That landscape defines the potential available to the rest of the community. When focused on important problems innovations can result in enormous social good. We plan to increase the potential for innovative solutions in areas where good ideas are needed most. Springboard Innovation was formed in 2004 to help fill the gap of learning and support for those who wish to make a difference in a new way. We create opportunities for community members to learn how to launch social ventures, provide ongoing consultancies, help them network with others, help them get seed funding, and work to build a supportive ecosystem in the cities where they live. Springboard works through four core strategies. These work together to offer both a sequenced continuum of experience and a cycle of programs and resources that allow leaders and supporters to connect at any point, nurturing community-led community change. "
Brian Howe

What's cosi10? » #cosi10 - 0 views

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    "cosi10 is a transformative event for social innovators, social entrepreneurs and their social ventures that's happening all over the world in the second half of 2010. * A simple, self-organizing face to face unconference event. cosi10 participants come together under the guidance of a local host who follows the cosi10 unconference event guide. Through that process, participants network and learn from each other in dynamic collaborative conversation (in their local languages) about impact strategies, sharing resources for developing our skills, and planning what it takes to build thrivable social innovations and revenue models. The participants co-create the story of what happened offline in the online event space at ned.com, where other cosi10 participants from around the world can respond, interact and connect around common purpose. Learn more about the cosi10 Unconference Format"
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