The Web 2.0 world is a great environment for connecting people and causes in ways that until recently were unimaginable. One example of an excellent peer-to-peer philanthropy platform in www.globalgiving.com.
The mission of Washington, DC-based GlobalGiving is to sustain a “marketplace for good” that connects donors directly to the causes they care most about. Since its launch in 2002, GlobalGiving has helped thousands of donors give over $11 million to approximately 1,000 projects worldwide.
Theodore Malloch, an advisor to GlobalGiving, recounted to me several stories (which are also included in his upcoming book titled Generous Giving) of individual giving that were enabled through GlobalGving.
Malloch described the story of Paula Diley, Durham, NC, who was raised to be a “giver.” She comes from a family of nine and learned how to share at an early age. Through her siblings, she saw the importance of celebrating with others when they are blessed. Diley set out a goal to give to all one hundred and ninety four nations of the world.
Diley maintains a running list of all the countries of the world and crosses each one off as she is able to give. So far, she is up to 69 projects in 67 nations! Diley also makes sure to support a variety of different projects, from play pumps in one country to healthcare issues, water quality, education, schools, economic development and aids awareness.
One of Diley’s giving inspirations is Muhammad Yunus, an economist from Bangladesh and the founder of Grameen Bank [ www.grameen-info.org ]. Yunus is a Nobel Peace Prize winner known for his work in micro-credit loans. Yunnus started with a small amount of his own money, and it spread to so many people. After Diley read Yunnus’ book “Banker to the Poor” she realized that although she only has a small amount to give, combined with others, needs can be met all over the world. Today’s web facilitates the process of aggregated giving.
Malloch also recounts the story of John Burg and Heather Haines, Washington, DC, who instead of asking for traditional wedding gift items like a blender or toaster, decided to register on GlobalGiving. This couple believes that have been so fortunate that it made sense to be able to give back.” Haines explained. “In the spirit of giving, we wanted to be able to give our guests another option.” The couple is excited about a project in India, the destination of their honeymoon. In addition to putting the India project on their registry, they are making a contribution of their own in honor of their guests.
Malloch also cites the example of Timothy Campbell, New Delhi, India, who is a habitual GlobalGiving gift card buyer. GlobalGiving allows people to make a charitable gift to somebody while allowing them to choose the cause, and perhaps find a new project or organization in need. Campbell’s family has always enjoyed the tradition of giving each other donations as well as gifts. He says, “I have recently begun to feel that it is more important to a lot of people I know to be able to support a cause they believe in rather than to receive a physical gift.”
A final example highlighted by Malloch is Nicole Shampaine, Washington, DC, who also uses GlobalGiving gift cards. Shampaine likes the idea of giving recipients the option to choose the project they would like to support, instead of picking something for them. GlobalGiving has something for everyone with projects ranging from environmental issues to bringing poor girls out of poverty through soccer.
The various examples that Malloch cites with respect to the GlobalGiving platform illustrate how giving has changed in today’s world. Individuals through GlobalGiving are empowered to engage in widespread peer-to-peer giving. Givers are typically more motivated when they see the impact of their gifts; web sites can facilitate this process of giving.
Ida Chong, Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and Craig Williams, Vice President BC Division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), announced the winners of the 2008 BC Export Awards today and named Day4 Energy, Inc. as Exporter of the Year.
“British Columbia’s ability to export its goods and services is, and always will be, key to our economic success and I congratulate all of this year’s BC Export Awards winners and nominees,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development. “Our leading-edge exporters have helped create a strong and diverse economy. The Province looks forward to working with them as we seek to expand our international trading relationships.”
The winners of the 2008 Awards are:
Next Level Games is a full-service videogame developer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in October 2002, Next Level Games has... [more]
Day4 Energy Inc. is a Vancouver-based solar energy company formed in 2001 to revolutionize solar power use in industrial, commercial, utility, and... [more]
The VC Forum has a pretty simple mission - connect innovative technology companies with smart sources of capital. And they're looking for BC companies to join them for their upcoming roadtrip to Seattle on December 4th.
A group of VCs from Silicon Valley, Seattle & Vancouver will join together to discuss technology deals and the latest industry trends. The VC Forum has been in existence since 2001 and has annual events in Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Raleigh/Durham, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Vancouver.
The upcoming Seattle roadtrip includes the following events:
Eight of the ten showcase presentation spots are filled which leaves two open and event organizers are eager to fill the roster. The BC Ministry of Technology, Trade & Economic Development are picking up the $500 presenter fee, so this event shouldn't cost startups anything to attend. Interested? Contact info@vcforum.org asap.
The 2008 BC Export Awards Gala luncheon takes place today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and there are some great technology success stories up for awards. Check out the New Media nominees below and look out for a complete list of winners here later this afternoon.
EPIC News Group Inc. is a highly recognized television production and media placement firm that uses state of the art technology to capture and create corporate videos, commercials, documentaries and webmercials. EPIC News Group's most recent recognition includes 2008 Telly Award and an Aurora Award for their documercial featuring tourism in Jordan, entitled 'A Tale of Two Sisters.'
Neverblue Media Inc. is a premier global lead generation network that specializes in lead generation and client acquisition, delivering millions of profitable customers to clients from all over the world, including members of the Fortune 1000. In 2007, Neverblue Media was awarded the Vancouver Island's Technology Company of the Year and was also recognized as a finalist in the HR Excellence category.
Next Level Games Inc. is a unique full-service videogame developer serving the United States and Japanese markets. By making games that are responsive and player-driven, the company focuses on creating engaging gameplay experiences. Next Level Games Inc. has been honoured with several awards including the Best Company to Work For in British Columbia, Canada's Top 100 Employers and have been prestigiously nominated for Excellence and Innovation from WorkLife BC.
Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Neverblue Media is a performance-based online marketing company that specializes in lead generation and client... [more]
Next Level Games is a full-service videogame developer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in October 2002, Next Level Games has... [more]
I attended Calgary-based TechRev's second event this year. This one featured a couple of successful CleanTech companies, as well as ENMAX, which is one of Alberta's electrical utilities. It was an eye-opener for me, as I can't say that I know much about this sector. In the short 20 minutes of presentations by Michael Carten from Sustainable Energy Technologies, Clayton Bear of New Energy Corporation and Doug Sullivan of ENMAX, I heard the heroes (and like most heroes, unsung) of CleanTech describe their companies's products, and moreso their passion to make the environment better and to supply solutions to countries and organizations where there would be no solution otherwise.
They're heroes not only in developing clean technology but in an entrepreneurial sense. Hearing their story of what it takes to get it done in the face of economic, technology and financial changes make 'normal' tech startups seem relatively easy. Michael and Clayton have some common qualities I think. They were both humble, hard working engineers who have had to endure a great deal, for a long time to get their products to a point where they are available when the world needs it. So while the rest of the world is going green, these guys were ahead of the curve, and against the headwinds at the time, made it possible for the world to 'go green'.
Both of them made mention that their products might not have made it, if it weren't for the help from the folks at NRC-IRAP, which are also unsung heroes. They've helped many tech companies, maybe even yours, and for something like CleanTech, they've enabled Canada to be one of the leaders, when it didn't make much economic sense, or have a large market. Both Michael and Clayton voiced a genuine thanks to NRC-IRAP, which should be on all our behalf. Sure, it's their 'job', but I've met enough of them to know that they those thanks are earned.
More kudos to Pam Boytinck, Ivan Sierralta, Laura Sullivan and their bosses Darren Massey and John Masters at CTI for making TechRev happen. Their mission is to 'profile local technology leaders and promote opportunities for investment and innovation'. It took a lot of work and cajoling for them to get various groups together to create TechRev and is yet another thankless job of theirs.
Well I'm going to thank them. TechRev is important because it brings industry and the tech sector together, to recognize what can be achieved by getting industry to become sponsors, initial customers and maybe even investors. The CTI folks are far too modest to say, but I've heard that some of these industry/tech sector successes are a direct result of them doing this. So you can see why TechRev can be a great catalyst and model for all of us in the tech sector.
Doug Sullivan represented industry and they deserve credit for stepping up and supporting companies like these. There was an announcement with another industry partner that didn't make it in time for the event. Rumor has it that it's another large company that starts with an 'E'. In any case, can you say momentum?
I don't have the space here to actually describe their companies, and I would probably would do it poorly, but click on the links above and see for yourself, some real technology heroes.
