This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

• We have an exciting update in from Kinyei, who raised over $18,000 earlier this year to fund a management training program for four Kinyei management candidates. Cambodia’s Barista Champion of 2012 has finally been found and Kinyei’s own Untac can happily claim this honor. Untac, a long-time barista for Kinyei competed alongside some of Cambodia’s finest baristas and he secured the top spot for his sugar-cane based “street latte” pressed with local Pursat oranges that he decided on after many hours of practice and experimentation. Kinyei is proud to boast that not only is its social enterprise model providing skills that allow its trainees to be best in their field, but also it allows these kids from Battambang to experience new people and places that they otherwise never would have dreamed of experiencing without this project.    

• Innovation has no ceiling, yet the path to achieve innovation has barely changed in the past 10 years. Register for The Future of Women in Innovation and come ready to discuss and debate the science of innovation with the professionals who specialize in creativity on Monday October 29th at the Brooklyn Law School. Tickets to this SheSays event are free so all you need to show up with is your mind, ready and geared up for an inspiring discussion.

• Sometimes it’s not easy to admit you need help but when you’re an entrepreneur, that extended helping hand may give you the boost you need to succeed. Hub Ventures allows promising entrepreneurs to put out their best efforts to change the world by helping them build their startups faster and more effectively. The Hub is accepting applications for existing startups and individuals seeking a start-up opportunity now through December 10th (early application deadline is October 31st) so make sure you don’t miss out on this opportunity. 

• Ennovent, an organization invested in accelerating social innovation, is accepting applications for two challenges: The Power to Empower challenge, presented through a partnership with India@75 and the National Skill Development Corporation, is for organizations focused on skill building in India. The second challenge, directed through Millenium Alliance and awarded under the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in partnership with USAID and the Technology Development Board, seeks to discover solutions that are working toward development across India. Visit the Ennovent site today to see if your organization is eligible for either of these exciting challenges.

Rachael Casagrande

I am currently working towards a BS in Information Design and Corporate Communication at Bentley University. Before college, I hadn’t any idea where I wanted life to take me so I decided to just let the wind blow me around a bit. The following summer, I shipped myself off to Romania through Learning Enterprises where I volunteered running English camps. The children I met there made me realize how much just one hello, one meal, or one hug can really grow change in someone’s life. After coming back to the US I’ve been keeping myself busy working odd jobs, studying and taking every opportunity I can to mesh my business degree with my love for positive change.