What do you get when you combine nonprofit’s passion of improving human and environmental well-being with the market-driven approach of business? A social enterprise.
Metro Denver is home to a thriving network of social enterprises including the Women’s Bean Project which provides women with on-the-job training that, in turn, allows participants to build their confidence and skills to become gainfully employed. On a larger scale, a social enterprise that has become a household name is the Girl Scouts. The mission of Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Through a variety of social enterprise businesses (Cookies, anyone?), the organization generates revenue to enhance its mission and work around the world.
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and a group of participants from the Impact Denver spring 2017 class are collaborating to raise awareness of social enterprises and their impact on the economy. Through Sprout Tank they help social enterprises develop their business plan and get their organization’s in front of business leaders, lenders and investors. On Tuesday, June 6 , 10 social enterprises will pitch their business to a group of investors at the Sprout Tank Pitch Event. Those social enterprises include Activate Workforce Solutions, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Extreme Community Makeover, KyndHub, Take A Number, The Bridge Effect, The Flip Slide, Treeline Project, Scraps and Urban Peak.
Sprout Tank nurtures organizations and initiatives that focus on enhancing Denver’s community-mindedness through acts, contributions and community networking. Sprout Tank began in April and provides an opportunity for social enterprise organizations to display their business concept, hone their pitching skills, gain exposure and build connections.
Sprout Tank project team of the Impact Denver 2017 class.
