Written by Mike Rowlands
Social Venture Network has convened in Philadelphia for four days of connection, conversation and inspiration. “But nobody told me I was gonna cry!” exclaimed one delegate this evening, after hearing the stories of this year’s six Social Innovation Awards.
The awardees this year are a diverse group, but as I listened to each of them share their stories, I was struck by three common threads.
The sheer ambition of these courageous entrepreneurs is refreshingly impressive. To dream big is one thing, but to dare, to make the leaps of faith that these award-winners have made is really to accelerate the potential of an idea. Jason Aramburu, soil scientist and the man behind Re:char aims to renew the soil under the crops of millions of farmers around the world. His biochar kiln sells for $40, and delivers a first year return on investment of $200. But Jason’s ambition doesn’t stop with selling lots of product: Biochar has the capacity to offset 12% of human CO2 production. This solution to farmers’ challenges, could also save the world.
Second, in the face of overwhelming challenge, these entrepreneurs have had the resilience to keep going. Take Karlene Hunter and Mark Tilsen of Native American Natural Foods, for example. On a reservation where unemployment stands at a staggering 70%, and where the population faces health and welfare challenges like a 44% type II diabetes rate, Their business has taken the best recipes from culturally significant foods, and turned them into marketable energy bars. Despite a maze of red tape, their perseverance has put their products in every state, and as of this Monday on to the shelves of Whole Foods.
But the third factor that unites these entrepreneurs, and that they hold in common with all the other social venture leaders gathered here on the riverside in Philly is the one that’s most inspiring. Passion oozes from their pores. Their commitment, their confidence, their chutzpah—these are the leaders that inspire great and positive change. It shows in Chid Liberty’s immense gratitude for his transformation from refugee to CEO. 
Passion emanates from Katherine Lucey, when she talks about empowering rural poor in Africa, giving them incomes to help “not only their sons, but also their daughters to go to school.” And it rolled down the cheeks of retired Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, when he talks about wounded veteran’s returning home to become “the next great generation.”
It’s inspiring for everyone to hear stories of this ambition, resilience and passion. But perhaps best of all is the uncommon grace with which these leaders carry themselves. Congratulations to all for your Awards. And thank you for your examples.
Written by Mike Rowlands | Junxion Strategy | VANCOUVER
2011 Social Venture Network Fall Conference SVN Innovation Awards Ceremony hosted by Laura Flanders, The Laura Flanders Show October 28, 2011
- Karlene Hunter & Mark Tilsen, Native American Natural Foods
- Peter Frykman, Driptech
- Jason Aramburu, Re:char
- Eric Greitens, The Mission Continues
- Katherine Lucey, Solar Sister
- Chid Liberty, Liberty & Justice
Photos courtesy of Nancy Jo , Video courtesy of Left Brain Right Brain Productions
Tags: 2011 Innovation awards, Chid Liberty, Driptech, Eric Greitens, Innovation Awards, Katherine Lucey, Laura Flanders, Liberty & Justice, Mike Rowlands, Native American Foods, Re:char, Social Venture Network 2011, Solar Sister, SVN, SVN Award Ceremony, SVN Conference 2011, The Mission Continues
