Early Registration: Social Innovation Fast Pitch

September 17, 2009

2009 Social Innovation Fast Pitch
Social entrepreneurs compete for up to $20,000 in funding

**Get your tickets soon | Early-bird tickets are available for $50**
(After October 31, tickets are $65.)

Early registration is now open!
http://socialinnovationpitch.org/pp/com/page2/p/registration

What: The Social Innovation Fast Pitch event (www.socialinnovationpitch.org) is the culmination of a free two-month training and mentoring program for innovative nonprofits that are effecting social change in Greater LA. The goal of the program is to build the capacity of, and create visibility for, local nonprofits and the social entrepreneurs who lead them. Leaders from 22 organizations participate in the program and receive training, feedback and mentoring on how to succinctly and powerfully “tell their story.” Through the process, they build valuable cross-sector relationships.

At the event, 10 finalists will make three-minute “pitches” to a panel of judges and an audience of more than 350 investors, business and nonprofit leaders, and other members of Southern California's entrepreneurial community. The finalists compete for thousands of dollars in funding.

“The Social Innovation Fast Pitch empowers local non-profits to dream big - and win big - for their innovative solutions to some of our most pressing problems. In addition to creating recognition and goodwill for the participating organizations, this program builds ongoing, valuable connections between the for-profit and nonprofit communities."
- Ken Deemer, Chairman of Los Angeles Social Venture Partners

When: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 4:00 - 7:30 pm. (Doors open at 3:30 pm)
Includes formal program and networking reception.

Where: University of Southern California (USC)
Town and Gown
3551 Trousdale Pkwy
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Map: http://tinyurl.com/USCtownandgown

Who: The event is open to the public. Los Angeles Social Venture Partners (www.LASVP.org), the Social Enterprise Institute (www.se-institute.org ), and the University of Southern California (www.usc.edu) partnered to produce the Social Innovation Fast Pitch program.

MORE ABOUT SOCIAL INNOVATION FAST PITCH
Check out the highlight video from the 2008 Social Innovation Fast Pitch and read an LA Times article on 2008 first place winner Everyone Deserves a Roof, generated from a connection made by a Social Innovation Fast Pitch volunteer. This competition highlights a different type of entrepreneur - the social entrepreneur – who focuses his or her skills to tackle social problems with the same energy, strength, and commitment as in a start-up company. Social entrepreneurs are gaining attention for their innovative ideas to attack social issues with risk-taking, entrepreneurial solutions. The Social Innovation Fast Pitch inspires this same energy to solve ingrained social problems with resourceful and imaginative solutions.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SOCIAL INNOVATION FAST PITCH:
“I met a funder at the event, submitted a proposal and was funded a grant!”

“... a splendid evening that reminded me just how much mattering truly matters. The room at USC was filled with amazing people doing incredible work to change the world."

“[I] was impressed with the quality of the presenters. Their three minute remarks were far more cogent than the entrepreneurs I typically meet with.”

“[We] generated more interest, earned income strategies and stronger proposal writing.”

Questions?
For registration or other general questions about the program, contact LASVP at 310.281.7509 or info@lasvp.org .
For media inquiries, contact Elisa Wiefel Schreiber at 213.821.6063 or wiefel@stevens.usc.edu.