Social Venture Partners Charlotte, has just announced the ten
finalists from the inaugural SEED20 Class of 2012 to pitch their
innovative ideas for building social value in our community live
atSEED20Unleashed! on March 6 at 5:30 p.m. at UNC Charlotte's new
Center City Building. The finalists include:
· Charlotte Community ToolBank
· Charlotte Teachers Institute
· Circle de Luz
· Friendship Gardens
· Inspire the Fire
· Grub to Grub
· The Relatives
· Second Helping of Charlotte
· Silent Images
· Sow Much Good
The ten finalists will make three-minute "pitches" to a panel of five
judges, as well as an audience of business, academic and nonprofit
leaders, foundation executives, the media and others engaged in the
growth of social value in our region. Over 250 individuals have
already signed up for the event, which promises to be a great evening
of socializing, learning and celebrating the great social innovations
going on in the Charlotte Region. Tickets are on sale at
seed20.eventbrite.com.
The 2012 SEED20 judging panel includes:
• Molly Barker, Founder, Girls on the Run,
• Mike Elliott, Managing Partner, Noro-Moseley Partners,
• Beth Hardin, Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs UNC Charlotte,
• Dewey Norwood, Community Affairs Officer, Wells Fargo and
• Mark Peres, Founder and President, Charlotte Viewpoint.
Four grants totaling $30,000 will be awarded as follows:
• Judging Panel First and Second Place Awards of $15,000 and $7,500,
respectively;
• Coaches Award of $5,000; and
• People's Choice award of $2,500.
The ten finalists were selected after six weeks of rigorous coaching
sessions where the Class of 2012 honed the content and delivery of
their messages.
"This group of entrepreneurs brings a broad array of innovative and
powerful ideas to help all of us work toward an ever stronger and
healthier community," said Susan Daniel, Executive Director of SVP
Charlotte. "I look forward to hearing our 10 finalists share with a
broader audience on March 6th at SEED20Unleashed!"
SEED stands for Social Entrepreneurs Empowered, and the competition
aligns with SVP Charlotte's mission by helping to grow the region's
social entrepreneur community. SEED20 (www.seed20.org) is made
possible with investors Wells Fargo, Knight Foundation, and UNC
Charlotte as well as strategic marketing partner, Topics Education.
The competition was open to any individual or nonprofit organization
from Mecklenburg or bordering counties with a great idea and a
passionate commitment to seeing it impact social change.
About Social Venture Partners Charlotte
Social Venture Partners Charlotte (SVP Charlotte) is a diverse network
of engaged individuals who are addressing community needs through a
new model of giving – Venture Philanthropy. SVP Charlotte brings the
collective expertise, creativity, time and money of our members and
their networks to develop and support promising social initiatives and
nonprofits. In addition, SVP Charlotte strives to foster a community
of socially-conscious and well-informed donors through engagement with
Investees, collaboration with other SVP partners, and participation in
educational events. To learn more, please visit www.svpcharlotte.org.
