The GSBI Application Process The online application process consists of three business planning exercises: (1) Value Proposition; (2) Target Market Segmentation; (3) Business Model (income and expense drivers, critical success factors). Entrepreneurs receive feedback on each of the three exercises. Of those who complete the exercises, the most promising ventures are invited to submit a formal application. After further evaluation, about 40 entrepreneurs are interviewed and approximately 20 are invited to
continue in the remaining five months of the program. Each social entrepreneur receives a scholarship valued at $25,000. The continued program includes online learning, Silicon Valley executive mentoring, and the intensive two-week in-residence program. Applications can be found on the Skoll Foundation’s Social Edge website (www.socialedge.org).
Featured Clean Energy Alumni
Husk Power Systems (HPS) ’09, India Husk Power Systems (HPS) provides low-cost power that enables farmers to reduce irrigation costs by 45 percent, entrepreneurs to create businesses and increase profit margins, and households to dramatically reduce their cost per lumen-output ratio (more than 200 percent savings). The service localizes fuel resources that are five to seven miles away and eliminates over 190 tons of CO2 emissions annually per village by replacing kerosene, diesel, and methane output with renewable sources.
Alternative Energy Development Corporation (AEDC) ’10, South Africa Using zinc air fuel cell technology, Alternative Energy Development Corporation (AEDC) provides environmentally friendly energy to thousands of people living off the grid in rural African communities. Partnering with mining companies and local community leaders, AEDC develops local entrepreneurs to run service shops for fuel cell recharging, and offers basic electricity services at a cost less than what consumers typically pay for candles and paraffin.
ToughStuff ’09, Madagascar
re:char ’10, Worldwide
ToughStuff is a pro-poor social enterprise that provides solar-powered products for low-income people, replacing expensive and environmentally damaging kerosene lamps and batteries. Users substantially raise their incomes since these robust products provide less expensive sources of light and power and allow them to work more effectively.
re:char provides rural energy through small-scale biomass pyrolysis plants, which convert agricultural and animal wastes into carbon negative electricity and biochar. Biochar is a high-carbon soil amendment that provides a way to permanently sequester atmospheric carbon and improve crop yields worldwide.