Written by Anya
This post was originally published by Empower Generation, which merged with Pollinate Energy to form Pollinate Group in 2018.
Hey Rangers!
Sorry for the tardiness and promise to up our blog presence starting now. We’ve been busy working on some pretty good excuses. Here’s part 1 of the skinny on what’s happened since we last blogged!
Thanks to all of you, our fundraiser was a great success. We raised $6500 to invest in an entrepreneur! This fundraiser has sparked the EmpowerGrid, our network of dedicated individuals working on renewable energy solutions in Nepal.
Carried by the momentum you all created, we went and registered Empower Generation as an official organization with the US IRS. We’re on our way to obtaining 501(c)3 status so donations will be tax deductible. The EmpowerGrid website is in development and so is our first Board of Directors. We’re working on creating lots of ways for people to plug in and support entrepreneurs and women’s groups as they start their businesses.
During the crowdraiser, Bennett, Noortje and I were focused on developing EG’s concept and objectives and putting that all into the most kick-ass pitch and business plan we could muster. At the end of the Sustainable Business Gamethere is a pitch competition. Each group gets 10 minutes to pitch their idea to a panel of outside judges: Dutch consultants, academics, bankers, and last year’s winner– RIWIK. Business ideas ranged from upcycled bicylcles, an eco-friendly portable new way to consume flavored beverages to PV panels that can be printed with designs and logos and attached to your window.
We’re still working on the details of our social enterprise but we have conviction and are set on giving people a chance at empowerment through eco-friendly economic development. That conviction totally came through–Bennett ROCKED the pitch. It was glorious. Unfortunately, I was in charge of filming and was too nervous to focus the camera…sorry! Those that did see it were impressed. We won entrance into the pre-incubation programme of DNAMO!
This means that after EG comes back from Nepal in August we pitch to DNAMO one more time and then start a new cycle in our development, starting in October with weekly lectures and coaching sessions. We also get access to a shared office space in Rotterdam, and the support of a great incubation programme. We’re so excited!