| It’s my annual week in Boulder, to spend time with Hub Boulder, The Impact Investment Collaboratory, The LOHAS Forum,, and the Unreasonable Institute. We’ve had a LOHAS prize in our competition for many years, and this year’s presenters will hit the stage on Wednesday. Best of luck to The Fresh Connection, Sole Power, and Yellow Leaf Hammocks. We’e also got a half-dozen entrepreneurs out here this week for LOHAS, and I’ll get to introduce them to people they can help, and people that can help them. It’s my favorite part of the job. So, question for you all — who was the most useful professional introduction you ever had, and why? Sincerely, Ian T. Fisk Executive Director, The William James Foundation |
| William James Foundation’s 10th Annual Gathering Washington, DC | July 18-20, 2013 Each year The William James Foundation brings together entrepreneurs, mentors, and funders who are working to make the world a better place through creating, collaborating, and investing in social innovators from across the globe. We expect the 2013 conference to be our best ever. It will continue to build the sustainable business industry’s capacity to meet today’s challenges. We’re excited to announce finalists who will be presenting at the event include: First Access, WeCyclers, Morale Fashion Group, Access Afya, MoWoza, Colectivo 1050, BlocPower, Clovest, and Triea Systems. This will be a wonderful opportunity to network, grow our field, and discuss the exciting changes being witnessed in our field. On Our Calendar Upcoming social enterprise events where you will find members of the WJF team: June 18th – 20th: Social Impact Exchange (New York, NY) June 17th: Impact Investment Collaboratory (Boulder, CO) June 18th – 20th: LOHAS Forum (Boulder, CO) June 24th: Honest Tea / DC Net Impact Event (Washington, DC) June 27th: Bethesda Green Investor Pitch Training Program (Bethesda, MD) July 10th: Unreasonable Climax (Boulder, Colorado) July 18th -20th: William James Foundation Gathering (Washington, DC) September 3rd – 6th: SOCAP (San Francisco, CA) WJF Community Notes – June 17, 2013 Current WJF finalist SolePower is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise $50,000 by July 18th. Congrats to current WJF Finalist Access Afya for their mention in the Forbes article, “6 Business Models That Are Transforming Health Systems Around The World.” Soon to be launched UnLtd USA will be visiting Oakland, Boulder, Austin, New Orleans, Charleston, D.C., Philadelphia and New York to put on hands on work shops and peer learning events during their September Roadtrip. Congrats to 2008 WJF Finalist Atayne for being named to B Lab’s “2013 Best for the World: Environmental Impact list. Interview with Idea Phase Category Finalist Colectivo 1050 Based in Oaxaca Mexico, Colectivo 1050 works with artisans in the surrounding communities to produce beautiful ceramic pieces through environmentally sustainable methods. Founder, Kythzia Barrera, is committed to this project as a way to promote indigenous cultures and revitalize the value of the ceramics craft in Mexican culture. Interview with Venture Phase Category Finalist Access Afya Access Afya is bringing quality affordable healthcare to the residents of the Mukuru slum in Nairobi Kenya through their innovative clinic model. Melissa Menke, Access Afya’s founder, is extremely passionate about Access Afya’s ability to promote systemic change and educate people about healthy lifestyles in the Nairobi area and beyond. On Our Reading List “Engines of Prosperity: 2012 Impact Report.” ANDE Institute, June 13th, 2013 “Bridging the ‘Pioneer Gap’: The Role of Accelerators in Launching High-Impact Enterprises.” ANDE Institute and Village Capital, June 7th, 2013 |