SeaVax From Bluebird Marine Scoops Up Ocean Plastic
Bluebird Marine Systems has built a prototype of a solar powered autonomous barge it says could suck up 24,000 tons of plastic waste from the world’s oceans every year.
Time to Reconsider Your Idea of a Company
by Paul Smith Ever have one of those moments when someone says something that makes everything else stand still? This happened to me recently, in conversation with Brian Jamison, a man with an eclectic history that includes playing a hand in the first Disneyland and Sony Playstation sites, biodiesel production, and now acting as CEO of OpenSourcery, a Drupal focused Portland based web development firm that is a deep practitioner of sustainability on the human, environmental and technological fronts. Take time now to let…
The Paradigm Project to Revolutionize Distribution of Energy Efficient Products in Developing Countries
The Paradigm Project recently announced that it plans to launch a new franchise brand called EzyLife that will revolutionize distribution of energy efficient products in the developing world. EzyLife will focus on last-mile distribution of fuel efficient cookstoves and other innovative consumer products, such as solar lanterns, water filters and agricultural products—products that deliver social benefit and simply make life easier. The Paradigm Project is a social venture company that invests profit-seeking and philanthropic capital to create sustainable and scalable business…
No Entrepreneurs or No Investors?
As the social enterprise ecosystem matures in India, the issue of funding only seems to be growing more pronounced – surprisingly for both the entrepreneur and investor.
Ecopreneur Ideas for Promotional Eco-Goodies
There’s a saying in marketing: give the people what they want. It’s easier said than done, of course, which is why many companies spend a TON of money on market research. While I’m no market research guru, I do know one thing that people want: cool, free stuff. I mean, imagine waking up, pouring yourself a nice steaming cup of organic, fair trade, shade grown coffee in one of these bad boys! Pretty awesome, right? You’d definitely be the envy…
Oil Companies Want a Bailout: Say Renewable Energy Has it Easy
Head honchos at the Big 3 American Oil Companies gathered in the Capital this weekend to meet with their key lobbyists with one demand- a government bailout.
Strategic Drivers for Acquisitions in the Water Sector
I recently read an article by Chris Gasson of Global Water Intelligence which was thought-provoking and insightful. The article addressed a number of issues surrounding water technology company acquisitions and raised a question regarding what problems companies are looking to solve through these acquisitions. In my experience advising large water companies’ strategic acquisitions activity, I have identified three key reasons why they seek to acquire water technologies companies: 1. To future-proof their technology portfolios Companies always want to ensure they have…
Don’t Buy Fancy Pants – Lease Them!
Everyone loves wearing well-fitting designer jeans, but no enjoys paying designer prices. A new program in the Netherlands allows consumers to eliminate wasteful spending on clothes. Instead of owning a pair of jeans for life, fashionistas can now keep them for a year before sending them back to be recycled and receiving something fresh and new in exchange. While most companies typically use a leasing model for durable goods – such as heavy machinery or automobiles – Dutch entrepreneur Bert…
Japan Sets Its Sight on Water
Japan has the 3rd largest economy in the world and is the 4th largest exporter. They produced prominent technological advancements, from reliable and fuel efficient cars to flat screen televisions. Now, Japan is taking interest in water technology markets and innovative water companies. Napoleon said, “Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.” In this instance, Napoleon could easily be referring to Japanese firms who, in light of recent activity in the water industry, are opening up to…