Are you an aspiring sustainability entrepreneur looking to lead change in your community? If so, prepare to contend in the Leading Change 2012 Funds for the Future! In this challenge, a subset of aspiring entrepreneurs will be selected from participants of Leading Change 2012 to develop and pitch their proposals for sustainability-related projects to a panel of expert judges. The forum provides participants with an opportunity to learn from leading experts in the sustainability field, while connecting them with other highly-driven and successful entrepreneurs on issues that are important to you and your community. In keeping with Leading Change’s theme of continued action, the Forum will serve as the launching point for the Funding Competition- an avenue to seed change and foster its growth!

1. BRING IDEAS TO THE FORUM

Arrive ready to brainstorm. We will connect you with a team of entrepreneurs in your region, who will serve as your teammates for creating change throughout the year. You and your team will work together to develop and present a business plan for the projects you would like to undertake in your communities.

2. FOSTER YOUR IDEAS

Teams will showcase their ideas online in interactive formats, encouraging feedback and fostering collaboration. We encourage teams to get creative. Final business plans will be presented in 5 minute pitches, recorded and shared online. Online voting polls will be opened up to interested parties across the nation, encouraging teams to leverage social media tools in circulating and promoting their ideas, engaging the wider public. Once the polls have closed, the successful top 5 teams with solid, well thought through business plans will be invited to pitch their plan in front of our expert panel of judges, successful groups receiving funding for implementation from a pool of sponsorship dollars. In order to ensure implementation of the plans, only a portion of the funding will be allocated to winning teams immediately. Additional funding will be presented at subsequent connection points throughout 2012 and 2013 based on ongoing work of the project team or the successful transition of the work to a new project team.

3. ENSURE CONTINUED ACTION

This is not a one-time gathering- it is a movement. We will take care of the logistics of where and how participants can connect again, but we encourage you to facilitate ongoing dialogue and engagement within your own communities. The Funding Competition is only the launching point for your project- bring your ideas home with you and ignite the movement within your own communities. We invite you to broaden your network by creating green teams, bringing together your peers, coworkers and other involved parties as you invite them to join your movement. Seed funding will help get your projects off the ground, but it is up to you and your movement to continue the momentum. Leverage your network and expand it by seeking additional funding sources such as grants, sponsorship, and donations. Nurture your seed fund and you, your community and the environment will reap the benefits.

Click here for more information or contact the Event Manager: kaitlin@leadingchange2012.ca

Ready? Seed, Grow, Nurture.