Social Venture Network has launched its 5th annual Innovation Awards competition. Over the past 4 years, SVN's Innovation Awards has honored some of our next generation's most talented, passionate and effective leaders; the new pioneers of socially responsible business.

"On behalf of Green For All, I was both proud and humbled to accept the 2010 Social Venture Network Innovation Award. For decades, SVN has been an incredible force for progress -- bringing together leaders from a diversity of backgrounds to generate new partnerships, ideas, and innovation. Green For All is proud to be a part of this community. We look forward to working with SVN and its partners in the years ahead to build an equal opportunity economy, and shape a more sustainable world." - Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Executive Director, Green for All and 2010 Innovation Award Winner.

The 2010 SVN Innovation Award Winners also include: Danny Kennedy (Sungevity), Tevis Howard (Komaza), Jessamyn Waldmen (Hot Bread Kitchen), and Alex Valez and Nikhil Aurora (Back to the Roots). Past Innovation Award Winners include Tom Szaky (TerraCycle), Morgan Simon (Responsible Endowments Coalition), Brent Baker (Tri-State Biodiesal LLC), William Foote (Root Capital), Brenda Palms Barber (Sweet Beginnings) and Mark Hanis (Genocide Intervention Network).

"We believe the most ground-breaking solutions emerge when you combine passionate leaders with innovative ideas. At Social Venture Network, we support and connect the most influential social entrepreneurs on the planet, and we launched the SVN Innovation Awards to honor the next generation of visionary leaders." - Deb Nelson, Executive Director, SVN

SVN is accepting Innovation Awards applications now through April 17th, 2011 at http://www.svn.org/awards. A judging panel will select the 2011 Innovation Award winners in July. This year's judging panel includes pioneers of the socially responsible business movement, including a maverick in his own right, Ben Cohen, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry.s Homemade, Inc.

The 2011 winners will each receive membership in SVN, mentorship and coaching from SVN members and partners, promotion through SVN's media partners, as well as waived conference registration, travel expenses, and special recognition at the 2011 SVN Fall Conference. Winners will be honored during an Awards ceremony during the Conference at the Hyatt Regency -- Penn's Landing, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 27 - 30. The founder and host of GRITtv, Laura Flanders, will host this year's Awards ceremony. During the Awards ceremony, the winners will have the opportunity to share their story with an audience of 350 successful socially responsible business leaders, investors, and nonprofit leaders.

"The SVN award has been life changing for our organization. The 2009 award put us on a national stage, which in 2010 resulted in our organization obtaining a loan from RSF Social Finance. Being from Indiana, I doubt if RSF would have ever known we existed without the award. That loan allowed us to buy equipment and led to additional resources and investments in our business to the tune of over $1.3 million dollars so far!" - Gregg Keesling, Workforce, Inc.

2011 Annual Innovation Awards Eligibility:

To be eligible for the 2011 Innovation Awards, 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 be leading an organization that has been operating for more than 6 months and less than 7 years.

For a 2011 SVN Innovation Awards application, complete program information and eligibility guidelines, and additional information about SVN, visit: www.svn.org/awards.

About Social Venture Network

Founded in 1987 by Josh Mailman and Wayne Silby, Social Venture Network (SVN) is a member organization of more than 500 CEOs, investors, and nonprofit leaders committed to building a just economy and sustainable planet. SVN believes in a triple bottom line for business, one that values people, the planet and profits. SVN members are part of an expanding network of pioneering entrepreneurs who share this vision and are helping to transform the way the world does business.

SVN has nurtured the growth and prevalence of initiatives such as socially responsible investing, sustainable economies, fair trade and organics. Notable SVN members include Ben Cohen (Ben & Jerry's), Van Jones (Center for American Progress & Green For All), Mirran Raphaely (Dr. Hauschka Skin Care), Eileen Fisher (Eileen Fisher Inc.), Myra Goodman (Earthbound Farm), Amy Domini (Domini Social Investments), and Gary Erickson (Clif Bar & Co.). These entrepreneurs have prioritized the environment, social concerns, and profitability to create successful businesses.

SVN has incubated and supported other impressive networks such as Business for Social Responsibility(BSR), Net Impact, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC). To learn more, please visit www.svn.org.

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.

More from Social Venture Network