Interview: SnackPackers (2012)
WJF’s Sarah Wester recently sat down to talk snacks with Ali at the Affinity Lab. Snack Packers was a finalist in the 2012 WJF Competition for both the DC Prize and the Idea-Phase Prize.
Interview: SouperGirl (2012)
Sara Polon launched Soupergirl in December 2008. Soupergirl prepares and distributes vegan soups made with locally sourced ingredients in the DC area via their Takoma storefront and booming soup delivery business. Sara …
Interview: New American Tavern (2012)
“Many Americans feel disconnected and unfulfilled. They’re hungry for community and yearn for more meaningful recreation and relationships. The New American Tavern provides people like this with a vibrant third …
Interview: People Towels (2012)
Interview with Linda Lannon (2012)
Interview: Verde (2012)
2012 Interview with Jamie Johnson, Verde Sustainable Solutions
Interview: Tandem (2012)
2012 Interview with Seisei Tatebe-Goddu, Tandem Consulting
The company participated in the program in 2010.
Interview: Wello (2012)
2012 Interview with Cynthia Koenig, Founder of Wello
Interview: WeBike (2012)
2012 Interview with Allie Armitage and Brad Eisenberg, weBike
Interview: Vari (2012)
Interview with Vari Founder Sai Krishna Dandamudi
Interview: UnaBellaVita (2012)
2012 Interview with Sean Mills from UnaBellaVita (now known as Vitamend L3C)
Interview: StartSomeGood (2012)
Interview with Co-Founder Alex Budak in 2012.
Interview: Sproxil / mPedigree (2012)
2012 Interview with Meliza Mitra, Sproxil (entered our competition as “mPedigree”)
Winds of Change in Kosovo
But a rebuilding nation—Kosovo declared independence as sovereign nation in 2008 — is “the ideal opportunity,” say members of the RIT student-led team behind Kosovo Wind Gardens. Kosovo Wind Gardens is a venture that plans to construct and sell wind turbines to individual homes, businesses and farms in the vast rural areas of Kosovo. The small, 5-kilowatt turbines would provide energy independence, an option far better than the daily blackouts due to a poor and aging energy infrastructure, says Adam Walker, Kosovo Wind Gardens executive director.
https://www.rit.edu/showcase/index.php?id=164
Home of the Social Innovation Rockstar.
“By combining grassroots knowledge—or knowledge gained from our life experiences growing up in Africa—with knowledge of technological trends and market dynamics, we came up with a solution that we believe will make the world a better place,” says Salif Niang, who founded Malô Traders with his brother Mohamed.
http://sir.tv/profile/salif-romano-niang
Community Solar in Olympia, Washington Moves Forward
The systems will be deployed through a power purchase agreement with Thurston Solar Management (TSM), a joint venture of Olympia-based PureSolar and Seattle-based Tangerine Power. After previously securing a contract to install a PV system at the Children’s Museum, the group was selected for the additional four projects through a competitive bidding process by the Olympia City Council.
https://cleantechnica.com/2011/12/15/community-solar-in-olympia-washington-moves-forward/
FIGHTING POVERTY USING EFFICIENT AND AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION IN RURAL MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambikes has developed a model to overcome these obstacles. The Mozambikes model makes bicycles and accessories available at affordable prices for people living in impoverished areas by leveraging sales of advertising to corporate and institutional customers. Mozambikes is the first provider seeking to improve the quality of bicycles in the market, make them affordable, provide training and after-market service and build a complete bicycle industry in Mozambique.
https://www.usaid.gov/div/portfolio/mozambikes
the-waterwheel-makes-clean-water-cheaper-easier-to-carry
“The magic is in the business model,” says Cynthia Koenig, founder of Wello. “It’s not necessarily so much cheaper than other products on the market, but our business model is aiming for profitability through scale.” Wello has thin margins, but the venture expects to break even after three years of operation through both sales of the WaterWheel and sales of advertising space on the device.
https://www.fastcompany.com/1678162/the-waterwheel-makes-clean-water-cheaper-easier-to-carry
Social business projects win funding, get tested by pros
This year’s Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition at the University of Washington had so many promising business plans that picking just two winners proved difficult. So judges did something unusual: they ponied up their own money on the spot to award another $3,000 prize.
http://old.seattletimes.com/html/thebusinessofgiving/2011328915_post_8.html
Onergy, VSSU join hands for solar station in South 24-Parganas
A solar power station — Vivekananda Shakti Kendra — has been set up at Ullon near Lakshmikantapur in South 24-Parganas. The project is a joint venture of Onergy, a brainchild of environmental entrepreneur Vinay Jaju, and the Vivekananda Sevakendra-O-Sishu Uddyan.
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/onergy-vssu-join-hands-for-solar-station-in-south-24parganas/586143/
Interview: Intoxicating Designs
This interview was conducted in 2009 with Angie Allen, Founder of Intoxicating Designs. Are you currently running / working with a mission-driven business? What is it called?Yes. Intoxicating Designs, Inc. …
Interview: AlterNative
Brenda Quiroz-Maday entered a plan for “AlterNative” into our competition in 2009.Interview conducted in 2009. Are you currently running / working with a mission-driven business? What is it called? Yes. Business Development and Management, …
Interview: Anovo Consulting
Interview with Jen Boulden, who entered as “Anavo Consulting” in 2004. Her current firm is called “Ideal Bite.” Interview conducted in 2009. Are you currently running / working with a …
Interview: BioDiversity and Co.
Courtney Consulting Solutions (2009 Interview) Interview with Erica Courtney, Co-Founder of Biodiversity and Co, and CEO of Courtney Consulting SolutionsAre you currently running / working with a mission-driven business? What …
Interview: Drive Alternatives
This interview was conducted in 2009 with Kavi Turnbull of DriveAlternatives.com Are you currently running / working with a mission-driven business? What is it called?Yes. DriveAlternatives.com. Is it for the …
Interview: Jitasa
This interview took place in 2009 with Jeff Russell. “Easy Office” is now called Jitasa. Jeff Russell submitted a plan for Easy Office to our competition in 2008. Easy Office …
Interview: Atyane (2009)
Atayne, based in Brunswick, Maine, produces outdoor and athletic apparel. All of their products are made using the maximum amount of recycled polyester and are certified to be free of …
Interview: SpeakShop (2009)
Cindy and Clay Cooper submitted their plan for “Speak Shop” to our competition in 2006.