Dear Net Impact Chapter Leader:
Greetings and Salutations.
My name is Ian Fisk, and I am a longtime member (lifetime member #3!), supporter, and former chapter leader (Yale SOM & DC Professional) of Net Impact.
In large part because of my experience with Net Impact, I now run the Mentor Capital Network (formerly known as the William James Foundation), which is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs who are starting sustainable businesses.
Our main program, a sustainable business plan collaboration, supports both those who are at the “just an idea” stage and those who might be a few years down the road, and are ready to take their company to the next level through boot-strapping or professional equity investments.
After attending 15 Net Impact conferences, I know that the spirit of entrepreneurship runs strong in Net Impact, and that some of your members will be interested in starting something new to change the world through business. I ask you the favor of sending those members (or your entire chapter, if that’s easier) this email. (I also know that Net Impact leadership changes. If this email is out of date — my apologies. Can you give me the contact info for the current leadership team?)
Net Impact members have always been our significant portion of the entrepreneurs we have been able to support, and I hope to keep it that way. Our competition will have about $50k worth of services and cash to divide among the best teams, but the real prize is constructive feedback and access to world-class mentors that comes from participating in our competition. And be sure to have them list your chapter in the “how did we hear about you” section of the application – if they are accepted, that will discount their processing fee from $500 to $100. (There is no fee to apply.)
Blurbs you can use:MCN 2016 Sustainable Business Plan Collaboration program supports for-profit companies with social, environmental, and/or cultural missions that strengthen their financial margins. The Mentor Capital Network provides connections to mentors, and turns those connections into ongoing mentoring and partnership relationships.We do this in a way that won’t get in the way of you running your business. Apply by Dec. 1 for our spring 2016 program at http://mentorcapitalnetwork.strikingly.com/#apply-1. Applicants can be any age, from anywhere in the world, and top teams divide $50,000 worth of cash and services.
Details – http://mentorcapitalnetwork.strikingly.com/blog/sustainable-business-plan-collaboration-2016-timeline. Sustainable Biz. Plan Collab: $50k prizes, mentors, investors, biz. plan feedback. Apply by Dec 1 at www.mentorcapitalnet.org
Also – is there anyone else in your area that we should be sending this information to? We want to get the word out to as many potential social entrepreneurs as possible.
Thank you for your assistance. And thank you for the work that you are doing with Net Impact. Here are some resources that might be helpful:
- a list of conferences focused around sustainable/socially responsible businesses
- a list of competitions, accelerators, incubators, and fellowships focused around sustainable/socially responsible businesses