FAQ's for Social Ventures
1) What is a "social venture"?
Impact Finance Center and CO Impact Days and Initiative define a social venture as a nonprofit, for profit, project, or fund that seeks to generate positive social and/or environmental impact. This includes ventures of all stages from the "idea" stage to established entities.
2) When will the "Call for Social Ventures" open?
The Call for Social Ventures is open as of August 25, 2017.
3) When will it close?
The Call for Social Ventures closes on October 5, 2017.
4) Who will judge Applications?
Applications for the Social Venture Marketplace will be reviewed by volunteer business experts and impact investors from all sectors. These volunteers are committed to catalyzing impact investing in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region and will provide valuable feedback and adjudication of applications. You can become a volunteer judge or recommend a judge here.
5) When will you announce Social Ventures finalists?
Friday, November 3rd
5) How many social ventures will be invited to CO Impact Days 2017?
Depending on volume of applications, we expect to invite 100 social ventures to participate in the 2017 CO Impact Days Social Venture Marketplace.
6) How do social ventures participate in CO Impact Days?
Social Ventures are invited to participate in the morning sessions on 11/17 (agenda here) at the Curtis Hotel where they will be grouped with investors and philanthropists organized by areas of interest. In the afternoon on 11/17 Social Ventures will be invited to set up a table and display board in the gorgeous lobby of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the "Social Venture Marketplace" where investors, and the community, will be invited to find out more about social ventures and their goals, visions, and capital needs.
7) What is the cost of social venture in participating?
The fee to apply is $25. You can pay here.
8) How much space will I have to present?
When you are notified that your social venture has been chosen to appear in the Social Venture Marketplace, you will be given exact specifications for how much space you will have for your "booth" at the marketplace.
9) What can I bring?
When you are notified that your social venture has been chosen to appear in the Social Venture Marketplace, you will be given exact specifications for what you can bring to showcase your social venture at your "booth" at the marketplace.
10) Which social ventures can speak?
When you are notified that your social venture has been chosen to appear in the Social Venture Marketplace, you will also be notified as to whether or not your social venture has been selected to speak onstage at the Ellie for the final presentation of CO Impact Days 2017.
11) Can social ventures from the wider Rocky Mountain Region apply?
Yes.
12) Can international social ventures apply?
If your social venture is based in Colorado or the Rocky Mountain region but your mission is international you can still apply in the Call for Social Ventures.
13) What defines an Impact Investment for the purposes of this Call for Deals?
An impact investment (for purposes of this Call for Deals) includes any capital need that can be met with a loan, line of credit, other debt product, or equity investment. If the only way your financial need can be met is through a grant, donation, or sponsorship than you are not eligible for the call for deals.
Please submit any additional questions to nicole.brajevich@impactfinancecenter.org