On February 15, Social Venture Network (SVN) launched its 6^th annual Innovation Awards competition. Over the past 6 years SVN’s Innovation Awards competition has honored some of our next generation’s most talented, passionate and effective purpose-driven leaders. Past Innovation Awards winners have tackled pressing social and environmental challenges. From eliminating trash to providing healthy meals to schools; from making solar power affordable to creating meaningful jobs for returning veterans. These are but a few of the accomplishments celebrated by SVN’s Innovation Awards.

"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. We've been inspired by the many ways our award winners bring vibrancy, diversity and fresh perspectives to our community." – Deb Nelson, Executive Director, SVN

SVN is accepting Innovation Awards applications now through May 8, 2013 at: www.svn.org/awards. A group of finalists will be selected and announced in June. After a second round of judging that will include phone interviews with each finalist, the Innovation Awards judging panel will select the 2013 Innovation Award winners in July. This year’s judging panel, comprised of leaders of the socially responsible business movement, includes Amy Domini (Domini Social Investments), Gifford Pinchot (Bainbridge Graduate Institute), Tony Carr (Halloran Philanthropies) and Amy Hall (Eileen Fisher Inc.).

The 2013 winners will each receive membership in SVN, mentorship and coaching from SVN Hall of Fame honorees, promotion through SVN’s media partners, as well as waived conference registration, travel expenses, and special recognition at the SVN 2013 Fall Conference. Winners will be honored during an Awards ceremony at the 2013 SVN Fall Conference to be held October 17-20 in Baltimore, Maryland. During the Awards ceremony, winners will have the opportunity to share their stories with an audience of over 400 successful values-driven entrepreneurs, investors and nonprofit leaders including pioneers of the socially responsible business movement.

“By far the largest prize that came along with the SVN Innovation Award in 2011 has been winning membership into a community of social entrepreneurs and impact investors that have accomplished so much and can make things happen quite quickly for emerging entrepreneurs. Along with the deal-making came the ultimate prize of deep and lasting friendships with people I truly admire. Every conference feels like a family reunion.” – Chid Liberty, CEO, Liberty & Justice

About Social Venture Network

Social Venture Network is a community of thousands of innovative, high-impact entrepreneurs, impact investors and nonprofit leaders who are working to create a more just, sustainable and humane world. For the past 25 years, SVN has inspired, connected and supported some of the world’s most influential business leaders and social entrepreneurs.

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 (Rebuild the Dream), Ahmed Rahim (Numi Tea), Eileen Fisher (Eileen Fisher Inc.), Myra Goodman (Earthbound Farm) and Gary Erickson (Clif Bar & Co.). These entrepreneurs have prioritized the environment, social concerns and profitability to create successful businesses.

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

2013 Annual Innovation Awards Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2013 Innovation Awards, applicants must currently hold positions as C-level executives (CEOs, presidents, executive directors, founders, etc.) of businesses or nonprofit organizations implementing an idea that is having a positive social, environmental or economic justice 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. Businesses or organizations must be based in North America.

For a 2013 SVN Innovation Awards application, complete program information and eligibility guidelines, and additional information about SVN, visit: www.svn.org/awards.

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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