SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - June 2, 2008 - Social Venture Network (SVN), the country’s leading network of socially responsible entrepreneurs, announced today that it is now accepting applications for the 2nd Annual SVN Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards program supports the "next generation" of socially responsible business and nonprofit leaders by providing them access to the people and resources to help develop their ideas into successful enterprises.

"SVN is again inviting the next generation of socially responsible entrepreneurs to apply for the Innovation Awards," said Deborah Nelson, Executive Director of Social Venture Network. "Last year's winners were extremely impressive and have since expanded their impact in creating a more just and sustainable world. For some, the SVN Awards provided a launching pad for their success. We look forward to welcoming this year's winners into the SVN community."

SVN is accepting awards applications from June 1 through July 15 at www.svn.org/awards. Twelve finalists will be selected by the SVN judging panel and announced in August. The finalists will go through another round of judging, and then the judges will select a smaller group of Innovation Award winners in September.

The Innovation Award winners will receive a free one-year membership to SVN as well as registration and special recognition at the invitation-only SVN Fall 2008 Conference from October 23-26 at the Estancia La Jolla outside of San Diego, California. The winners will be honored in a special ceremony on October 25th, and will have the opportunity to share their work with an audience of successful socially responsible business leaders, investors and nonprofit leaders. The Innovation Award winners will be promoted for a full year on the SVN Website and in media outlets. The winners will also be partnered with select SVN mentors, who will give advice to the winners and make helpful introductions throughout 2009.

Last year's ten Innovation Award winners included, among others, Tom Szaky, CEO and Co-Founder of TerraCycle, and Priya Haji, CEO and Co-Founder of World of Good.

SVN is a member organization with nearly 500 CEO's, investors, and nonprofit leaders who are running the country's most cutting-edge socially responsible businesses and nonprofits. Since 1987, SVN has inspired a community of leading business and social entrepreneurs by nurturing the growth and prevalence of socially responsible investing, sustainable economies, fair trade and organic/eco living. SVN champions this effort through member-led initiatives, sharing of tools and best practices, the SVN Book Series and bi-annual conferences that strengthen and empower its members to work together on behalf of this shared vision.

2nd Annual Innovation Awards Eligibility Rules
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 implementing an idea that is having a positive social or environmental impact on the business sector. Eligible applicants will have started implementing 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 Innovation Award application, complete program information, and additional information about SVN, please visit: http://www.svn.org/awards.

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 economy and sustainable planet. SVN believes in a triple 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.

Notable SVN members include Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's, Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm, Eileen Fisher of Eileen Fisher Inc., Julius Walls, Jr. of Greyston Bakery, Amy Domini of Domini Social Investments, and Gary Erickson of Clif Bar Inc. These entrepreneurs have prioritized both social concerns and profitability to create successful businesses.

Social Venture Network

Social Venture Network

Since 1987, Social Venture Network (www.svn.org) has been at the forefront of the socially responsible business movement, connecting, leveraging, and promoting a world-class community of more than 500 innovative entrepreneurs working to change the way the world does business and the way that business affects the world. SVN connects the leaders of socially responsible enterprises to share lessons and resources, form strategic alliances, and explore new solutions that build a more just and sustainable economy.

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