WJF Update: 15 July, 2013

WJF Things that are Going On 

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.    This year we will be joined, in person, by all of our finalists. 

They will be sharing about their impact businesses and competing for more than $125,000 worth of prizes.  We are also proud to have longtime William James Foundation supporters Seth Goldman (T-EO, Honest Tea) and Jigar Shah (Founder, SunEdison and former CEO of the Carbon War Room) as our keynote speakers.  

On Our Calendar 

Here is a list of upcoming events where you will find WJF staff:
July 18th-20th: William James Foundation Gathering (Washington, DC)  
September 3rd-6th: SOCAP (San Francisco, CA)
September 12th: Angel Venture Forum (Washington, DC)

WJF Community Notes – July 15, 2013
2013 Semi finalist Kuli Kuli completed a successful Indigogo campaign, raising $50,000
Clovest, a 2013 semi finalist is working, as an incubated venture, with City First Enterprises 
Green Grab presenter and 2013 semi finalist Juabar launched commercialization last week for their mobile solar charging stations.  

The WJF and UnSectored Blog Series  
 
How Do We Sustain Social Enterprise?
 The WJF team is proud to be partnering with UnSectored to explore this and other questions that relate to the field of social entrepreneurship. Each week we’ll be inviting experienced members of the social entrepreneurship community to shed insight on how to cut through the hype and sustain social enterprise for the long run, both the industry as a whole and the myriad entrepreneurs trying to make a difference. Here are some of the topics we’ve been discussing: 
Kimberley Jutze: Investing in the Future of Social Enterprise
Katharine Bierce: Financial Sustainability for Social Enterprises   

2013 Entrepreneur Stories:
Morale Fashion Group “Morale Fashion Group is trying to solve two problems. On a smaller scale we are working towards building better jobs and livelihoods for women in Cambodia. In a broader sense we are also attempting to change the garment production industry as a whole.” Venture Phase finalist Rachel Faller, founder of Morale Fashion Group shares about her passion for creating change in the fashion industry. 

On Our Reading List
“IIA ’13 Final Conference Report.” Agora Partnershipds, July 3, 2013
Development Innovation Ventures Yearbook.” USAID, July 2013