October 26th, 2012 marks the official grand opening of the Center for Impact and Innovation, a joint venture launched by the HUB Seattle, Bainbridge Graduate Institute (BGI) and Social Venture Partners (SVP). Housed in the historic Masin’s furniture building in Pioneer Square, this unique facility, created to promote and support innovation, sustainability, and social good in Seattle, will soon host one of the largest concentrations of social entrepreneurs and engaged philanthropists in the country.

This unique partnership was born out of a desire to spark connections and cross-pollination among entrepreneurs, nonprofits, philanthropists, and social investors in Seattle. While the HUB plans to strengthen and educate would-be social entrepreneurs with their capacity-building events and curated mentoring, BGI will continue to provide a higher education platform for those interested in pairing business and sustainability. Just across the hall, SVP will connect people who want to give back with the nonprofits that make change possible - cultivating effective philanthropists and strong organizations that deliver greater impact, together.

“Entrepreneurs, nonprofit innovators, and creative people of all kinds are all-too-often isolated from one another while pursuing their dreams to make the world a better place,” said Will Poole, the Lead SVP Partner, BGI Trustee, and HUB Seattle investor who helped to lead the charge to create the new facility. “The Center for Impact and Innovation will bring people together under one big --newly refinished-- roof in a beautiful and creative space.  And better yet, we’ll have the widest cross-section of world-changers anywhere.”

The Grand Opening on the 26th will include Mayor McGinn cutting the ribbon on the new space, live music with popular band Dearborn, sustainable appetizers from Upper Crust Catering, three food trucks brought to you by the Mobile Food Rodeo, local beer and wine, showcases from the latest social enterprises to come out of the HUB and BGI, and more. The event will go from 6-midnight on the 26th, and is 21+ only. For tickets and more information, visit seattlegrandopening.eventbrite.com.

About Bainbridge Graduate Institute

The Bainbridge Graduate Institute offers educational programs in sustainable business, organizational leadership, and entrepreneurship. BGI was the first school to offer an MBA in Sustainable business. Founded in 2002, BGI offers evening and weekend MBA and Certificate programs that thoroughly integrate environmental and social responsibility into every subject of the traditional core business curriculum. Founded in 1979, the Organizational Systems Renewal is a 22-month program preparing graduates to design and lead systemic organizational change. StartZone is an award-winning microenterprise development program helping low-income and disadvantaged individuals achieve financial self-sufficiency by providing accessible and affordable training and consulting for building small businesses. Established in 2008 as a program of Highline Community College, StartZone is now expanding to other communities under the auspices of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fast Company and Huffington Post rank BGI as one of the top five Sustainable business programs and Net Impact ranked BGI first in ratings of socially responsible MBA programs.
• OSR is a nationally renowned program developing corporate leaders in organizational design annually for the past thirty years.
• StartZone has over 400 members and provides a range of workshops, consulting and other business support services.
• More than 1,000 BGI and OSR alumni leading business innovation in public, private, nonprofit and civic sectors.

About HUB Seattle

HUB Seattle is a coworking and events space for inspiring people. With a focus on supporting entrepreneurs bent on changing the world for good, the Hub is both network and nexus - equal parts office, clubhouse, and café combined in a comfortable community for making connections while progressing toward individual goals. Blazing connectivity, inspiring meeting/work spaces, and full-time hosting staff present to help you find the resources, partners, investors, and education that your venture needs.

HIGHLIGHTS

Among the many extraordinary people that call HUB their office, you’ll find people like Dave Richards and the Unitus Seed Fund, which provides seed-stage investments in companies building products for people living at the base of the pyramid. Or you’ll find Ashoka Seattle, a nonprofit responsible for successfully launching more than 125 programs within the past five years. Or Michael ‘Luni’ Libes and Fledge, Seattle’s first ‘concious company’ incubator. And nearly 300 other members, each equally interesting and inspiring in their own right.

About Social Venture Partners

Social Venture Partners builds powerful relationships among people and organizations that are out to make our world a better place. With a network of more than 2,300 engaged donors in 29 cities, they cultivate effective philanthropists, fund and strengthen nonprofits, and invest in collaborative solutions to critical social challenges. SVP’s Seattle and global Network offices will both be housed in the new space.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 400+ members in Seattle; 2300+ members globally
• $13 million and more than 30k volunteer hours given to 70+ King County nonprofits since 1997
• $46 million and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours given across the network since 1997.

Masin’s Building

Built in 1907, the Masin’s Furniture Building is an extensively renovated, family owned, 29,000 square foot pillar of the community. This new partnership with the Masin family ensures the building’s ongoing leadership in Pioneer Square.

Bainbridge Graduate Institute

Bainbridge Graduate Institute

BGI was born when co-Founder and President, Gifford Pinchot, a renowned business consultant, realized the nation's graduate business schools were churning out one-dimensional MBA graduates with solid short-term profit-maximization skills, but lacking a deep understanding of how to integrate social and environmental issues into business decisions.

The Institute's pioneering MBA and certificate programs prepare a diverse group of leaders to build enterprises that are economically successful, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. The innovative curriculum preserves the rigor of a traditional MBA program, while infusing sustainability - including both environmental and social responsibility - throughout every course.

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