TechSpring

Our 2011 social entrepreneurship support program.

TechSpring postcard with images of organization staff, winners, and mountains of Boulder, CO The Singlebrook TechSpring winner is Alissa Johnson and CalSolAqua! The press release is available on our blog. The Singlebrook TechSpring service package will help CalSolAgua in their effort to scale to positively impact one million people, reducing household energy bills and carbon emissions in the developing world. CalSolAgua has developed a clean and inexpensive solar water heating system capable of addressing the hot water needs for bathing and laundry; one of highest energy needs facing global households. Through detailed design work and three generations of prototyping, this solar water heater retails for one quarter of the price of competing water tank heaters, when mass manufactured. Retailing at only $150, it will reduce household energy costs and provide health benefits to those households currently relying on fossil fuel generation.

Our national TechSpring press campaign includes a press release on CSRwire and will include a video from the winner's announcement. Check out our Facebook page with photos from the winner's announcement at the Unreasonable Institute in Boulder, CO.

About Singlebrook TechSpring:

Singlebrook TechSpring is a partnership with the Unreasonable Institute to create a free package of technology and marketing services for a budding social entrepreneur. The TechSpring program is designed to accelerate a social venture by providing them with a service package that will help them amplify their impact.

Singlebrook has joined forces with an amazing group of Service Partners to create an even greater impact than we would be able to individually. Service Partners include: CSRwire, Communications4Good, Provoc, Topography Marketing and Communications, CoLab Coop, iContact and See3 Communications. Read the latest blog article for an overview of the service contributions the TechSpring program is offering.

Our target for this program is the social entrepreneurs of the Unreasonable Institute, an international organization that serves as an accelerator for budding high-impact entrepreneurs. The Institute selects 25 entrepreneurs from around the world who present the most promising “unreasonable” business ideas. These individuals become Unreasonable Fellows and live in the Institute with 60 expert mentors for six weeks. While residing in the Institute, they undergo rigorous training to prepare them to successfully execute their business idea. The Fellows additionally receive mentorship from Unreasonable Institute’s capital partners and global network of world-class entrepreneurs.

What qualifies as an “unreasonable” idea? First, the business concept must address social and environmental obstacles of a global scale. Second, the venture must be sustainable; it must generate sufficient internal revenue to cover the costs of its operations. Third, the concept must be scalable or replicable in order to achieve a worldwide reach. The magic number is 1 million; Unreasonable Ventures do not stop unless they have met the needs of at least 1 million people.

We look forward to helping a social entrepreneur realize their dream!