6.18.2007 - 04:05pm ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - June 18, 2007 - Social Venture Network (SVN), the country’s leading network of socially responsible business leaders, is launching Imagine What's Next: Ideas that Will Change the Way the World Does Business; a contest that seeks to support the leaders of emerging enterprises and provide them access to the resources that will help further develop their ideas into successful, responsible enterprises.

SVN is a member organization with over 400 members including CEO's, investors and executive directors responsible for leading some of the country's most cutting-edge socially responsible businesses and nonprofits. Since 1987, SVN has inspired a community of business and social leaders by nurturing the growth and prevalence of socially responsible investing, sustainable economies, fair trade, and organic/eco living. They have hosted or co-hosted hundreds of events, which have served as forums for entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to grow their businesses and organizations responsibly, sustainably and successfully. SVN has also spawned a network of pioneers, innovative leaders and organizations that are the most visible influence of the socially responsible business movement today; included are the revered organizations "Investors' Circle" and "Net Impact."

"Social Venture Network has been pioneering the most innovative ideas in business for 20 years and nurturing the first wave of social entrepreneurs. With the help of our support and resources, our members have made socially responsible business practices something that consumers now demand," said Deborah Nelson, Executive Director of Social Venture Network.

Contest winners will receive a one-year membership to Social Venture Network as well as registration and recognition at the invitation-only SVN Fall 2007 Conference at the Estancia La Jolla in San Diego, California. Winners and their ideas will be promoted throughout the year on the SVN Website and within the media, and the chosen applicants will be partnered with select SVN mentors, receiving advice throughout 2008. Contest mentors include:

Tami Simon, Founder and Publisher, Sounds True Publishing

"With 'Imagine What's Next,' we're inviting a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders to challenge traditional business thinking with a new set of ideas and models that will, again, change the way we think about the power of business to effect positive social change," added Deborah Nelson.

Other notable SVN members include Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s, Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm, and Margot Fraser of Birkenstock Footprint Sandals, Inc., all of whom have changed preconceived notions about what defines a viable and profitable business model. These entrepreneurs have prioritized both social concerns and profitability to create successful businesses.

To be eligible for the contest, applicants must currently hold positions as C-level executives (CEOs, executive directors, founders, etc.) of businesses or nonprofit organizations that are having a noticeable positive impact on the business sector. Eligible applicants will have implemented their "new idea" fewer than five years ago. The application process includes providing thoughtful answers to several essay questions and presenting relevant metrics describing the enterprise or organization. For an "Imagine What’s Next" application, complete contest information, and additional information about SVN," please visit www.svn.org.

About Social Venture Network

Founded in 1987 by Josh Mailman and Wayne Silby, Social Venture Network (SVN) is a nonprofit network committed to building a just and sustainable world through business. SVN believes in a new bottom line for business, one that values healthy communities and the human spirit as well as high returns. SVN members are part of an expanding global network of pioneering entrepreneurs who share this vision and are helping to transform the way the world does business.

For more information please contact:

Nicole Cohen
OrganicWorks Marketing
212.253.0474

For more CSR news and information from this organization:

Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for Social Venture Network

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