2013 Pitch Fest Applications Now Open

Social entrepreneurs on stage at the 2012 Social Innovation Incubator Pitch Fest

The Elevating Impact Summit is a celebration of impact in many forms, and a big part of that is the showcase of new social ventures, concepts, and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The morning Pitch Fest is an exciting first look at the latest and greatest ideas in social innovation. If you have a social venture that you’re passionate about, don’t miss this opportunity to pitch your concept to a panel of leading impact investors looking for the next big thing!

So, why should you apply to participate in the Pitch Fest?

• Enjoy the full attention of a panel of impact investors who will evaluate your pitch and offer personalized feedback.
• Meet and mingle with other like-minded social entrepreneurs in a collaborative and inspiring environment.
• Link up with the partner, employee, resource, or organization you’ve been searching for to complete your vision.
• Make a name for yourself and your vision! This is your chance to tell your story to a room full of people who are ready to listen. You never know when you’re going to catch the interest of the right person who can help you get to the next level.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must have a social enterprise concept or existing venture, either for-profit or nonprofit, that uses business tools to address a major social or environmental problem.
• You are required to submit a brief video that pitches your concept. Videos need not be “high-tech” or professionally produced. We know that it can be hard to convey an idea that you’re passionate about on a typed application, so this is your opportunity to insert your personality into the pitch. The video will be the most heavily weighted portion of the application, so make it count!
• Applicants must be registered for the event to be considered. Enter PITCHFEST at checkout to receive a special applicant discount when you purchase your ticket.

Want to work on your application offline? Download this Pitch Fest Application Cheat Sheet to help you prepare.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: May 31st, 11:59PM

Questions? Email us at impactentrepreneurs@pdx.edu.

Tech4Change: Mercy Corps Hosts a Startup Weekend for Social Entrepreneurs

Portland has embraced the Startup Weekend, a 54-hour sprint to design and prototype a new tech startup, with a series of local and regional events. Now Mercy Corps is hosting a first-of-its-kind Startup Weekend for social entrepreneurs at their Portland headquarters this June 7-9, building on their experience running similar events in Iraq, Palestine, and Haiti.

Participants can pitch an idea and form a team to prototype a technology-based social enterprise, or work on a team helping Mercy Corps address some of the world’s biggest challenges. Whether you’re a software developer, graphic designer, social entrepreneur, businessperson or aid practitioner, there’s a place for you at this event. Visit the website to learn more or register.

What: Tech4Change, a social entrepreneurship Startup Weekend hosted by Mercy Corps

When: Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9

Where: Mercy Corps global headquarters, 45 SW Ankeny St., Portland OR

How much? $75 (with early-bird discount)

About Mercy Corps:

Mercy Corps is a nonprofit disaster relief and development organization with operations in over 40 countries. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps strives to catalyze community-led and market-driven solutions to global poverty issues. Increasingly, Mercy Corps is employing technologies which have the potential to give millions of people new access to financial services and information, enabling them to grow businesses and improve their livelihoods, health and communities. Mercy Corps is also increasingly using startup technologies to streamline operations and meet compliance needs, freeing up human and financial resources to benefit those in need.

About Startup Weekend:

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011. The nonprofit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend organizers and facilitators can be found in over 200 cities around the world. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas and then it’s a 54-hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Five Great Programs for Social Entrepreneurs Currently Accepting Applicants

It’s that time of year again, when the leaves change, the air turns cold, and next year’s incubator and fellowship programs seem to all begin accepting applications at once. Not to worry: we’ve put together a short guide to a few of our favorites, complete with application links and deadlines. Just one more thing to be thankful for.

Echoing Green

Through our two-year Echoing Green Fellowship program, we provide start-up capital and technical assistance to help new leaders launch their organizations and build capacity of their social enterprise. We offer:
•    A stipend of $80,000 for individuals (or $90,000 for 2-person partnerships) paid in four equal installments over two years
•    A health insurance stipend
•    A yearly professional development stipend
•    Conferences led by organizational development experts
•    Access to technical support and pro bono partnerships to help grow your organization
•    A community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders, including the Echoing Green network of nearly 500 alumni working all over the world

Deadline: application process opens in December.
Location: global.
Period: July 2013 through June 2015.
Application: http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship/application-guidance?

Fledge

Fledge is a “conscious company” incubator, addressing the enormous opportunity provided by the large and growing number of consumers who are increasingly environmentally conscious, energy conscious, health conscious, conscious of sustainability, of community, and even conscious of consumption itself. We invite 7-10 teams to join us for 10 weeks of instruction, mentorship, and publicity.  We pay teams for this privilege.  In exchange for the cash and training, we receive an equity stake in each company.

Deadline: December 15.
Location: Seattle.
Period: February through April, 2013.
Application: http://fledge.co/2012/10/open-applications/

Global Social Benefit Incubator

GSBI Silicon Valley focuses on organizations which have demonstrated the ability to create significant social impact and to conduct financially sustainable operations. For those 10-15 applicants selected to receive scholarships valued at $25,000 for GSBI 2013, the program will last from May through December and will consist of online, mentored exercises, and a 9-day in-residence program (August 15-23, 2013)  which are designed to create an investment-ready, fundable plan for scaling the organization.

Deadline: January 11.
Location: global.
Period: May through December, 2013.
Application: http://www.scu.edu/socialbenefit/entrepreneurship/gsbi/apply.cfm

Global Social Venture Competition

The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) provides aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and $50,000 in prizes to transform their ideas into businesses that will have positive real world impact. Founded by MBA students at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, the GSVC culminates each year with the Global Finals and Conference at Berkeley in April, gathering teams from around the world and Silicon Valley professionals for a day of learning and networking. GSVC has evolved into a global network supported by an international community of volunteer judges, mentors and student organizers and a partnership of premier business schools in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Deadline: January 30.
Application: http://www.gsvc.org/compete_in_GSVC/How_to_enter/Americas_entries/

Hub Ventures

Hub Ventures helps high caliber entrepreneurs build their world-changing startups better and faster. We operate 12-week cohort cycles at Hub Bay Area, during which participating companies receive up to $20,000 in seed funding and engage in best-in-class mentorship, purpose-drive community, and content tailored to impact startups. We also connect companies with our extensive network of investors during the program and at Investor Day, an opportunity to pitch to hundreds of investors. We generally work with “technology for good” companies including web-based, software, and mobile startups that are developing scalable solutions to domestic and global challenges ranging from poverty to climate change.

Deadline: December 10.
Location: San Francisco.
Period: March through June, 2013.
Application: http://hub-ventures.com/apply/

If you want to learn more about fellowships for individuals, or opportunities like Unreasonable Institute that are currently closed to applicants, check out these great lists provided by the William James Foundation and Innov8Social.

PDX Events for Global Entrepreneurship Week

Get ready: Global Entrepreneurship Week is coming, and Portland is hosting a range of events. Whether you want to learn more about business for impact, start your own social enterprise, or launch any kind of new venture, we have the definitive list of upcoming events, workshops and conferences.

International Conference on Business and Sustainability
Talks from industry leaders and academic sessions on the latest research in sustainable business.
Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 7–9
Portland State University, all day 
$295

Social Innovation Re:Forum: Strengthening the Enterprise
Learn how to raise capital for your nonprofit or social enterprise.
Thursday, Nov. 8
Ecotrust building, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
$25

PSU Solutions Generator Team Builder Event
Students and community members work together on sustainability projects.
Friday, Nov. 9
PSU Smith Memorial Student Union, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
FREE

Supporting Social Enterprise Startups Locally and Globally
A panel of local social entrepreneurs discuss how to make an impact through business.
Friday, Nov. 9
PSU School of Business, Room 130, 1:30–3:00 p.m.
FREE – no registration required

All-Stars of the New Economy Party
Supportland celebrates local business with dancing and Oregon beer.
Friday, Nov. 9
ADX, 6–9 p.m.
$5

Greg Dees on “The Open Solutions Society: Taking Social Entrepreneurship Seriously”
Don’t miss Greg Dees, the “father of social entrepreneurship,” at a free talk that previews his upcoming book.
Friday, Nov. 9
Pacific NW College of Art, Swigert Commons, 7–8 p.m.
FREE

Changemaker’s Night: Passion for Progress
Meet Kiva co-founder Matt Flannery and social entrepreneurs focused on children’s play and development.
Friday, Nov. 9
Hilton Portland, 7:30 p.m.
$30

Startup Weekend Bootcamp
Learn how to get the most from the upcoming Portland Startup Weekend.
Saturday, Nov. 10
Oregon Technology Business Incubator, 12–6 p.m.
$10

Startup Riot
Thirty startups pitch for three minutes to an audience of investors and peers.
Saturday, Nov. 10
University of Portland, all day
$15 for entrepreneurs

Tiny Startup Camp
Expert speakers and work sessions get you started on your own tiny startup.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10–11
Urban Airship, all day
$175

Private Dinner with Greg Dees
Email impactentrepreneurs@pdx.edu for information on sponsoring a seat.
Monday, Nov. 12

Hacking Social Impact Unconference
Participate in hands-on sessions exploring impact investing and social entrepreneurship.
Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 12–13
Ecotrust Building, starts 5:30 p.m. Monday
$50 for students/entrepreneurs

Co-Founders Wanted Portland
Looking for a co-founder to help get your new venture off the ground? Create a free profile on cofounderslab.com, then network with other local members.
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Urban Airship, 6:30 p.m.
FREE

SBIR/STTR National Conference
Learn how to write a winning proposal for government business grants.
Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 13–15
Doubletree Hotel, all day 
$595

SBO Innovation in Sustainability Awards
Recognizing Oregon businesses leading the way in sustainability.
Friday, Nov. 16
Governor Hotel, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 
$60

Portland Startup Weekend
Over 54 hours, form a multi-talented group to design and build a web or mobile application with the potential to become a full business.
Friday through Sunday, Nov. 16–18
Portland State Business Accelerator, starts 6 p.m. Friday
$85

Have one to suggest? Post in the comments.

Apply to the 2013 Social Innovation Incubator Circuit Program

Here’s a quick quiz. Are you:

• Obsessed with a business idea that will make the world a better place?
• Open to taking a hard look at your ideas and making them better?
• Addicted to improving lives?
• Bored when things are easy?

If you answered “yes” to all four questions, we want you! That is, we want to help you gain the skills you need to turn your concept into reality and make your startup a success, through membership in Portland State University’s Social Innovation Incubator Circuit Program.

The Circuit is a six-month incubation program that seeks to help you become a leader of social change. Small group meetings every other week alternate between workshops delivered by local experts and facilitated peer-mentoring sessions. The program uses the Lean Startup methodology, Business Model Canvas, and customer discovery process to guide development of successful social enterprises.

With a team of coaches, mentors and like-minded entrepreneurs at your side, you’ll learn about business law, planning and strategy, marketing and sales, financial estimates, impact measurement and other essential skills, all with an emphasis on the unique approach of social entrepreneurs. Program graduates walk away with new skills, experience delivering a pitch, a supportive network of peers and mentors, and visibility in our community.

Circuit Program graduate Amelia Pape, co-founder of My Street Grocery, spoke to an audience of 1200 last week at the Oregon Social Business Challenge after being introduced by Mayor Sam Adams. That same week, a partnership between My Street Grocery and fellow SII member Central City Concern was covered on the front page of The Oregonian’s Metro section.

The SII was selected by Fast Company as one of 51 bold ideas helping to build the cities of America’s future and has been written about in Sustainable Business Oregon, Neighborhood Notes, Oregon Business Magazine, the Portland Business Journal, Sustainable Industries.

Learn more about the program at our website, or watch the video below about the 2012 Pitch Fest for Circuit Program graduates.

How to Apply – Open to All

Both students and community members are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have a social enterprise concept or existing venture, either for-profit or nonprofit, that uses business tools to address a major social or environmental problem such as poverty or its contributing factors, such as access to healthcare and education, human climate change resilience, or social equity. Innovations and inventions are encouraged.

The application process consists of two steps:

1. Fill out this form before November 2, 2012 to attend the Business Model Workshop, held November 16 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. The workshop is your chance to get to know us, for us to meet you and for you to make real progress on your business model. You will be notified of your acceptance to the workshop by November 9.

Workshop cost: $25, payable at door.

2. Using a Business Model Canvas you develop in the workshop, apply for the 2013 Circuit Program. All regular workshops are scheduled for Fridays at 7:30–10:30 a.m. from January through May, 2013. Up to two company founders are permitted at meetings, but one must commit to attending at least six of nine sessions, as well as the demo day in June, for your venture to graduate.

Subsidized circuit cost: $600 (about $20 per meeting hour) payable on acceptance or in two installments. Unlike other incubators, we take no equity stake in your business—you retain full control. And if that weren’t enough, many meetings include food! Scholarships are available for students.

Calendar of Sessions:
Jan. 18, Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 12, May 10: expert-led workshop sessions
Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 26, May 24: Business Model Canvas and pitch practice sessions
June 21: Demo day

2012 Circuit Program graduates, L to R: Lindsey Newkirk, Jon Zintel, Ahmed Abidine, Caren Prentice, Arnold Strong

Upcoming Local Events for Social Entrepreneurs

This is a preview of some of the announcements in our email newsletter going out next week. Want to stay updated on events, resources, and news for Portland social entrepreneurs? Sign up for our quarterly(ish) email newsletter here. We’ll never share your name or email with anyone else.

Yunus Social Business Challenge October 1
Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus is coming to Portland October 1! Watch student teams from PSU and other local universities pitch their social business concepts, and see EcoZoom and My Street Grocery from our Social Innovation Incubator talk about their models. Reserve your tickets >>

PSU Startup Weekends in Oct. and Nov.
Startup Weekends bring together multi-talented groups to conceptualize and build web or mobile applications with the potential to become a full business. PSU will host two upcoming Startup Weekends: one for students, faculty and staff from October 5–7, and one open to the wider community from November 16–18.

Seattle Socent Weekend October 5-7
#SocEnt Weekend is a hands-on meetup where you can meet like-minded social entrepreneurs, build on an idea you’ve been thinking about, or have fun helping others build new companies with a positive social impact. Learn more >>

PSU Biz & Sustainability Conference Nov. 7-9
The 6th Annual International Conference on Business & Sustainability will take place November 7–9 at Portland State University. This unique conference brings together sustainable economy thought leaders and educators, and includes both practitioner and academic forums. Get your tickets >>

PSU Business Accelerator Showcase Oct. 29
Save the date for the Portland State Business Accelerator’s company showcase, from 4-7 p.m. on October 29. Learn more about about participating companies at the PSBA website >>

Social Venture Partners Conference Nov. 8-10
Social Venture Partners International will hold their yearly conference this November 8-10 in Portland, focusing on the theme of “Audacious Philanthropy.” Learn more >>

Did we miss anything? Leave us a comment and we’ll add it in!

PSU Resources for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Entrepreneurs may not know that Portland State University offers a range of low-cost or free business services and resources not just for students, but for the local business community as well. From workshops in developing the perfect investor pitch to tailored coaching, businesses at any stage can find the tools and support they need to become more successful. Whether your venture exists only on paper, or you’re looking to expand to a new overseas market, the new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at PSU can find the right resource for you. To learn more about any of the university’s services for local business, please email CIE Executive Director Shelley Gunton: sgunton@pdx.edu.

Workshops and Events: PSU hosts a number of entrepreneurship events for students and community members. Every summer, the Lab2Market Entrepreneurship Intensive provides two days of free coaching from PSU faculty and partners at the venture capital firm DFJ Frontier. The event culminates in a pitch competition with a $1000 prize. The university also organizes several Startup Weekends, a 54-hour event that brings together multi-talented groups to conceptualize, design and build a web or mobile application with the potential to become a full business. This fall, PSU will host two Startup Weekends: one for students, faculty and staff from October 5–7, and one open to the wider community from November 16–18.

Incubation: PSU has two dedicated incubation programs, both open to the general public. The Portland State Business Accelerator provides inexpensive office and laboratory space, support services, and fundraising events for local bioscience, software, and clean tech firms. The Social Innovation Incubator supports both startup and established social enterprises — organizations using business tools to solve social or environmental problems — through group workshops, networking events, and tailored consulting. In 2011, the incubator was recognized by Fast Company as one of 51 “bold ideas helping to build the cities of America’s future.”

Coaching and Consulting: the Business Outreach Program at PSU provides comprehensive technical assistance and consulting services to locally owned, small businesses. The program focuses on low-income, women and minority business owners. The university also offers organizations the opportunity to engage a team of undergraduate or graduate business students in a consulting project. These “capstone” programs provide expert assistance in addressing specific questions or challenges. Email Bill Jones to learn more about working with an undergraduate team, or contact Pamela Dusschee to apply for consulting services from a graduate student team. PSU students interested in starting their own business can participate in the Entrepreneurship Club on campus.

Research Partnerships: PSU provides research assistance, laboratory access, and grant support to technology-focused businesses across a range of sectors:

• Drive Oregon is a public-private partnership to catalyze the growth of Oregon’s electric vehicle industry.
• Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Center (BEST) connects Oregon businesses with lab facilities, grant opportunities, and expertise to commercialize sustainable built environment and renewable energy research.
• Oregon Nanoscience & Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) accelerates research and commercialization of materials science.
• Oregon Translational Research & Drug Development Institute (OTRADI) is dedicated to linking university researchers and biotech and pharmaceutical companies to fuel drug discovery and commercialization.

With the recent formation of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, PSU is working to expand offerings and integrate even more closely with the local business community. Across the range of business support services at PSU, the goal remains the same: to support the sustainable economic development of our city, state, and nation.

Photo credits: top, Impact Entrepreneurs; bottom, Meg Williams/Pamplin Media Group.

The Institute for Sustainable Solutions at Portland State University

When Net Impact released its 2012 edition of the “Business as UNusual guide” to graduate programs, it called Portland State University’s Institute for Sustainable Solutions “the hub of sustainability at PSU and an engine for change in the university and across the region.” The Institute for Sustainable Solutions, or ISS, administers the $25 million Miller challenge grant for sustainability, supporting student and faculty research, sustainability education, and community engagement through a broad set of initiatives.

Students benefit from a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates related to sustainability, spanning topics from environmental management to social entrepreneurship. Travel awards are also available through the ISS for students, faculty and staff to participate in international conferences and events focused on sustainability. The ISS Solutions Generator provides funding to students for sustainability leadership projects as diverse as a greywater wetlands system and a sustainable materials gallery.

Research facilitated by the ISS focuses on three main areas: urban sustainability, ecosystem services, and the social determinants of health. Community members can participate in a social sustainability colloquium series to learn more about research and action on issues affecting their communities. A highlight of sustainability-related research is a remote sensing technology designed to increase the effectiveness of projects that help the world’s poor. Developed in PSU’s SWEETLab, this sensor technology is currently part of a project to provide clean drinking water to more than 2 million people in Rwanda.

Local organizations benefit from student internships and graduate consulting projects facilitated by the ISS. Students have helped coordinate the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition Annual Policy Meeting, assisted with the development of sustainable city planning and policy guidelines, and worked with local social enterprise EcoZoom to expand the use of clean cookstoves worldwide. No wonder Net Impact says, “With a reputation as a thought leader in sustainable business practices, Portland State attracts companies, small and large, who apply to work with student business consulting teams.”

The awards and top rankings in sustainability achieved by Portland State University are testament to the inclusion of sustainability in every facet of the university’s community and educational experience, and at the center of it stands the Institute for Sustainable Solutions. With new or expanded initiatives designed to reduce the university’s carbon footprint and conduct research into vertical urban gardens, the ISS continues to work at the forefront of sustainability education. Learn more about the Institute for Sustainable Solutions at their website: http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/

Mercy Corps NW: Small Business Loans, Grants, and Classes

Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW), the regional branch of the global development and relief NGO Mercy Corps, serves a crucial role for local startups. In the past 10 years, MCNW has lent more than $2.5 million to over 250 small business owners in the Portland area. In addition to business loans, MCNW also provides matched savings accounts and courses in business fundamentals. Scott Onder, their lending and strategy manager, was kind enough to answer some of our questions about the ways in which MCNW supports local business owners.

Impact Entrepreneurs: How would you describe MCNW’s lending and IDA programs in a single tweet?

That’s tough—is a link to our website cheating? I’ll try to stick to the 140 character limit:

“Grow your #smallbiz, build #credit w/@MercyCorpsnw #microloans up to $50k + IDA savings-match grants. #Startups welcome!”

What is an IDA program, anyway?

Our Individual Development Accounts are an opportunity for low-income entrepreneurs to earn a grant to invest in business assets like equipment, websites or relevant education. To accomplish this, new and experienced business owners alike take a 6-week business course, develop an effective business plan, and save $1,334 over a 6 to 24 month period.  This savings is then matched with an additional $4,000 grant.  Every year over 100 entrepreneurs start and grow businesses with Mercy Corps IDAs.

Mercy Corps loans go up to $20,000 for new businesses and up to $50,000 for businesses that have been in operation for more than a year. We occasionally partner with other lenders to extend financing up to $200,000.

How large are your loans, and what types of businesses are eligible?

We work with a very broad array of businesses ranging from contractors to bilingual schools and health clinics, to commercial bakeries, bike manufacturers, retailers and breweries. They may be looking to finance equipment, growth inventory, vehicles, or space expansion.  A common element among our borrowers is that traditional lenders were unable to meet their needs.  Most of our clients are low-income, and we will also work with moderate-income business owners who are creating jobs but unable to obtain commercial bank financing.

What does the application process look like, and how long does it take?

The process begins with a short online loan inquiry form. From there, a loan officer will help navigate a prospective borrower to a full application, also online. We ask for many of the same materials that a bank would: financials, tax returns, credit history and other documentation. For startups, we request a business plan. Once a client submits a complete application, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks for our loan committee to make a decision. The committee is made up of business owners, instructors, and bankers from outside our organization who make the final decision.

How much do you charge in interest and fees?

Interest ranges from 8 to 12%. Fees range from 1 to 4%

What are your collateral requirements?

Unlike banks, we do not have specific collateral requirements.  We do want to see that the business owner has invested what they are able to and are fully committed to the success of the business.  We accept personal assets as collateral and take a first interest lien position in the form of a UCC-01 on business assets.

What sets you apart from a more traditional lender, such as a bank?

We offer our clients more educational opportunities than a traditional lender might. These include classroom training, one-on-one counseling and other support to help an entrepreneur get ready to apply. Once approved, we are very hands-on with our clients and try our best to link them with resources that will give them the best chance of success. Also, Mercy Corps NW will approve loan amounts that are substantially smaller and, often, riskier than a bank would consider. We will work with new business owners who have limited track records, limited or no net worth, credit challenges, and lean balance sheets.

Where do you receive the funding for your programs?

Our funding comes from a diverse range of sources including foundations, local, State and Federal government, commercial banks and corporations, and many individuals throughout the Northwest.

What other programs do you have to support entrepreneurs?

Mercy Corps NW offers a range of training resources including seminars on business topics, business planning courses as well as mentoring and consulting opportunities for our clients.

We are a Small Business Administration Women’s Business Center and also work along with partner organizations to assist underserved minority- and women-owned businesses to form business teams for the purpose of bidding for federal and corporate procurement contracts.

We also have an Agriculture Project that helps immigrant and refugee farmers access land and bring their crops to market through CSAs and farmers markets.

Photo by Bruce MacGregor for MercyCorps NW

Do you have a memorable story of how an IDA or loan helped a local business?
We have a number of memorable clients, which makes my job a lot of fun.  It never ceases to amaze me how resourceful entrepreneurs can be, especially when they have limited funds to accomplish their goals.

One of my favorite examples of this is a couple that took out a small loan to purchase basic brewing equipment and have turned a small home brewing operation into a really top-notch brewery, Captured by Porches. With remarkable ingenuity, they developed a high-quality line of beers that they distribute throughout the region, and an authentic brand that competes with much larger breweries. They reach out to customers in unique ways, including building a fleet of mobile pubs which serve their beer in food cart pods and farm stands. They care about the environment (they use reusable bottles and recycle most of their waste) and contribute to the community in very genuine ways.

To learn about the emerging field of impact investing in local and sustainable enterprises, please register for the upcoming PSU Business Briefing Breakfast “Meet the Impact Investors: In Pursuit of Profits, Purpose and Planet.” 

Apply to the Social Innovation Program at George Mason University

The Social Innovation Program (SIP) at George Mason University’s Center for Social Entrepreneurship is currently accepting students and recent grads. If you’re interested in learning from experts in the field and working with other future social entrepreneurs to develop your skills and network, this is a great opportunity! 

From the program:

SIP is a cutting edge program to prepare top undergraduates and recent graduates to become the next generation of social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. Graduates from this intensive six week institute emerge prepared to apply entrepreneurial approaches to social challenges through nonprofit, private, and public sector organizations.

This one-of-a-kind institute offers participants the opportunity to complete meaningful consulting projects for nonprofit and community organizations while learning what it takes to be a social entrepreneur. Students network with top leaders in the field while enjoying all that the greater Washington, D.C. area has to offer. Housing is provided on George Mason University’s campus. 

You can change the world, but it takes more than idealism. It takes innovation.

For more information visit: www.socialinnovationprogram.com or contact sip@masoninnovation.org. 

Program dates: June 17 to July 28, 2012

Deadline: rolling deadline is March 15th