L.A.’s Nonprofit version of Shark Tank

The second annual Social Innovation Fast Pitch program is well underway, with 22 non-profit entrepreneurs being trained and mentored on how to succinctly and powerfully “tell their story.”  Only 10 will be selected to make their ‘pitch’ at the event in front of hundreds of attendees and compete for up to $20,000 in funding.

The Social Innovation Fast Pitch and Showcase will be held at the University of Southern California on November 11, 2009 from 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm. For more information and to register, please visit http://www.socialinnovationpitch.org

This event, hosted by Los Angeles Social Venture Partners, the Social Enterprise Institute, and the University of Southern California, will recognize and celebrate innovative Los Angeles nonprofits that are solving urgent social problems, and will serve as a catalyst to engage local business and community support.

Fast Pitch!
The highlight of the formal program includes live, three-minute ‘pitches’ from nonprofit leaders selected for the strength of their innovative strategies and results.  A panel of judges will critique the pitches and select grant award winners!

Fireside chat with Andy Rappaport
Investor * Social Entrepreneur * Change Agent
We are pleased to announce Andy Rappaport as our featured speaker.  Andy wants us to think differently when we endeavor to change the world. As a successful venture capitalist and a leading voice for innovation-oriented, risk-seeking philanthropy, Andy believes the most productive giving should start like an experimental investment – one in which early failures are important and where small initial successes can lead to large global changes able to attract larger pools of capital.  In this discussion with Krisztina “Z” Holly, Vice Provost for Innovation at USC, Andy will describe how he has applied lessons learned from the venture capital world to rethinking the social sector. Despite the magnitude of the challenges facing our world, Andy’s philosophy can inspire us to make a big impact with limited resources.

Networking Reception:
Following the formal program, there will be a mixer where attendees can network with one another and learn more about the mission and activities of the presenting organizations.

Ticket Prices:
$50 for early registrations through October 31, 2009
$65 for late and onsite registration after October 31, 2009
Students: Free with Pre-Registration and Accepted Application
Tax-deductible contributions to support the event are also welcome

Please join us for an exciting evening! You can count on being educated, activated and inspired.

Questions?
For registration or other general questions about the program, contact LASVP at 310.281.7509 or info@lasvp.org.
For media inquiries, contact Elisa Wiefel Schreiber at 213.821.6063 or wiefel@stevens.usc.edu.

‘Green’ business grows out of class project

What started as a study in business for some Butler University students has grown into a full-fledged “green” company aimed at taking the stress out of composting.

Back to Earth Compost, the brainchild of junior Conner Burt, started as proposal for a class called Real Business Experience.

“It’s very experiential learning. We use a small-business model that the students actually plan and define themselves,” said program coordinator Dick Halstead. “Those who want to actually go out and run their businesses, which is funded by the university.”

Burt and his partners proposed a central composting location on campus that would be fueled by kitchen scraps and other items picked up weekly from area subscribers.

He said he got the idea while waiting in line for a cup of coffee.

“I realized that in Starbucks they offer biodegradable cups, which is a good idea, but if they go to the same landfill as all of the rest of the trash, the problem really isn’t mitigated,” Burt said.

Back to Earth Compost now occupies space behind Butler’s baseball fields, and is prepared to handle between 20 and 45 households, and possibly some Broad Ripple Restaurants as well.

For $5 a week, customers within five to 10 miles of campus get a bucket to fill with compostable material, which is picked up weekly and its biodegradable liner replaced.

In the spring, the plan is to give those subscribers their contributions back in the form of nutrient-rich soil.

“We’re done our research, and we’ve found that 30 percent of household waste is organic material that can be composted,” Burt said. “We’re trying to provide people who don’t have the time or the space to compost; we’re trying to make it easy for them.”

The company will also be partnering with Butler’s Center for Urban Ecology to work on a pilot study for a fraternity or sorority house composting effort. Ultimately, it could turn into a campus-wide effort.

“We’re just going to take it this semester and see how it goes,” Burt said. “If it goes well, we have some options and maybe another class will take over.”

Back to Earth Compost is expected to officially launch this week. Those in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood interested in taking part are asked to contact Burt at btecompost@gmail.com or through the company’s Facebook.com fan page.

~Tell them you heard it @ Green Buzz!

Source: Indiana News