2023 Fowler GSIC Global Finals Program

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3 | ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

PAGE 5 | EVENT SCHEDULE

PAGE 8 | GLOBAL NETWORK

PAGE 9 | THE GLOBAL FINALISTS

PAGE 14 | BREAKOUT SESSIONS

PAGE 16 | CHANGEMAKER JUDGES

PAGE 18 | OUR SPONSORS

THE FOWLER GLOBAL SOCIAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE

The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (Fowler GSIC) is a multi-round social venture competition that invites students to engage with one or more of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by developing a sustainable social venture. With a network of over 2,700 students from 17 countries around the world, the Challenge has distributed more than $670,000 to seed the most promising ventures global ventures. Now a collaboration between the University of San Diego and St. Thomas, the final round of the Challenge, also known as the Global Finals, is hosted on an alternating basis by both universities.

2023 SEED FUNDING PRIZES CHANGEMAKER ROUND

First Place

$25,000

Idea Grant Winners - $2,000

$10,000 for remaining Top 8 Teams

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

Pitch Room Runners Up - $500

$4,000 across 8 rooms

SPECIAL TRACK AWARDS

Big Idea/SDG3 Award Winner - $5,000

Big Idea/SDG3 Award Runner Up - $2,500

Women Innovators - $2,000

Applicable to Ventures Co-Founded or led by Women

AUDIENCE CHOICE - $1,000

INSTAGRAM CHALLENGE

Instagram Individual - $500

Instagram Team - $1,000

Reception7:30 PM

4:30 PM

DAY ONE

THURSDAY JUNE 15

Check In & Optional attendance at FINNOVATION Fellowship FINNale Program from 5 to 7 pm (RSVP Only)

Schulze Atrium, Finnovation Lab (Downtown Minneapolis)

Schulze Auditorium (SCH 120) Innovation Week Welcome 6:45 PM

Schulze Atrium

DAY TWO

DAY THREE & FOUR

2023 FOWLER GSIC PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES

African Leadership University

Babson College

Bangladesh University of Professionals

Brown University

California Lutheran University

Catholic University Institute of Buea (CUIB)

CETYS Universidad

Duke University

Dartmouth College

Heritage Christian College

Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración

Johns Hopkins University

North Dakota State University

Northeastern University

Soka University of America

Université de Sherbooke

University of Georgia

University of Minnesota- Crookston

University of New Hampshire

University of San Diego

University of St Thomas

University of Texas at Austin

AFRICAN LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY

LASBITE

LasBite is focused on reducing food waste and alleviating food insecurity in Rwanda. Our product is centred around the sharing culture of food within communities and offering food outlets a platform to sell food at discounted prices before it goes to waste hence harvesting value supported by AI technology.

APTXR

aptXR is a pioneering startup specializing in revolutionizing medical education through immersive virtual reality experiences. Our mission is to enhance the training of medical students and practitioners by providing high-quality simulations and realistic scenarios that promote skill development and decisionmaking in a safe and controlled environment in Africa.

BABSON COLLEGE Computers 4 People is a non-profit committed to collecting, refurbishing, and donating computers to individuals and organizations in under-resourced communities to promote equity and access to opportunity. They are a leading organization bridging the digital divide in New Jersey, New York City, & Massachusetts.

COMPUTERS 4 PEOPLE

WALL STREET CONNECTION

Wall Street Connection is a 501(c)3 approved nonprofit which provides overlooked youth access to opportunities in finance. We are committed to closing the opportunity gap and providing a lifelong network. We provide tailored mentorship, educational workshops and investment competitions.

BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONALS

EURUS

Eurus is a renewable energy solution company that manufactures “ONUVA” which is a vertical blade wind turbine. It can adapt to changing wind directions and operates 24 hours a day, even at very minimum wind speed. Our product will be an energy solution in urban residential areas, remote areas and industries during this energy crisis.We are fulfilling 5 SDG goals.

ELYTHEA

Elythea is an ML/DL-driven platform that obstetricians in any setting use to predict risk for complications of pregnancy (postpartum hemorrhage, c-section, eclampsia) before they ever happen. We use information that is available at the point of care, so we can make the prediction as early as the 1st trimester, allowing doctors months to prepare in advance.

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

FARMBRIGHT ENERGY

FarmBright Energy LLC, believes it is time to change how we power the world around us and make solar a viable energy choice and a compelling one. Our ultimate goal is to create a business that prioritizes both profitability and sustainability, in pursuit of this goal, we offer quick deployable and quick disconnect solar shade systems allowing farmers to both grow their crops and produce clean and sustainable energy at the same time! This is done by combining existing high-tunnel crop covers with emerging solar panel technology, doubling the efficiency of land use. We at FarmBright Energy are focused on deploying emerging solar technology that is easily accessible and adaptable to regenerative agriculture practices.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF BUEA

HEALTH IMPROVEMENT & POPULATION SAFETY

Health Improvement & Population Safety (HIPS) Movement is a nonprofit dedicated to better health and healthcare safety for all Cameroonians with the goal of reducing harm and death rates among patients. Our mission is to improve community health and save lives by providing patients and communities with safe healthcare while promoting healthy practices.

CETYS UNIVERSIDAD

BISTREA

BISTREA is a startup company to harness coffee’s thermal potential to produce biochar in Mexico. Empowering people through education and environmental sensitivity, our mission is to reduce carbon dioxide, methane pollution and coffee waste. By recognizing companies embracing sustainable practices, we inspire collective movement towards innovative sustainable energy solutions, making a greener and conscious future for all.

DUKE UNIVERSITY

NURU!

Nuru! is a speedy response innovation that provides free, reliable, and accessible information about cancer in local languages, offers free counseling sessions to cancer patients in Tanzania to help mitigate self-stigma, and creates media that that links cancer patients to resources around them.

GREY GREEN

GreyGreen is a company looking to revolutionize the field of subsistence agriculture with a product that is safe, smart, and sustainable. Employing patent-pending technology for greywater recycling and hydroponic farming, our product helps tackle the technology and resource inequities that burden low-income communities across the world, empowering humans to practice affordable, eco-conscious farming techniques that alleviate scarcity and promote a sustainable future.

CLEAN CROP FERTILIZER

CleanCrop Fertilizer is an organic fertilizer made from well treated human urine mixed with carbon materials. Our mission is to reduce indiscriminate disposal of urine and environmental pollution, solve unemployment issues in Ghana and beyond, and provide healthy chemical-free high yield crops for human consumption and well-being.

IESA

ESTILO LIBRE DIGITAL

Estilo Libre Digital is a venture that seeks to give users the freedom to choose how they want to use a digital service. Under this philosophy, we have created Mi Commerce, the low-cost, self-managed and versatile online store service that helps to break the multiple barriers to massifying electronic commerce in Venezuela. Giving multiple payment, shipping and billing options, we support small and medium-sized companies to bring their products and services to their users.

Agile Management is an organization oriented to the comprehensive provision of professional services in the field of agile and sustainable management. One of its projects is the IAM its Spanish acronym for Senior Support, a program aimed at connecting young people, interested in carrying out professional practice activities, with older adults, who wish to improve their well-being.

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

ONPOINT VENTILATION

OnPoint Ventilation is a medical technology startup focused on revolutionizing one-lung ventilation, a vital procedure in cardiothoracic surgeries. Our innovative approach aims to enhance safety, simplicity, and efficiency, leading to reduced complications and improved patient outcomes. By prioritizing inclusivity and equitable access to medical advancements, we are committed to improving health outcomes for underrepresented populations and contributing to the reduction of healthcare disparities.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

FOR THE ONE

For The One is a social organization prioritizing health, wellness and empowerment to individuals in poverty in Ghana, Africa and eventually throughout the globe. Our mission is to provide basic health and wellness education while empowering and ultimately decreasing preventable deaths. Using sustainability not only through lifelong education but by providing renewed clothing and created dolls from donated clothing with the provision of clean water.

TÓ ÉÍ ÍÍNÁ WATER COMPANY

Tó éí Ííná Water Company is a woman-led committee focusing on limiting the lack of water access for the Navajo Nation, (Diné people). Our goal lies within water cooperatives which have a purpose to serve its members and have proven effectiveness in various tribal communities. We propose the implementation of a not-for-profit, member-owned, water cooperative within the Navajo Nation to alleviate this pressing issue.

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

TADPOLE

Tadpole is the Shopify of learning– our mission is to increase access to quality education by equipping educators with the tools they need to start and run vibrant tutoring programs. With Tadpole, educators can now focus on teaching while every other element of their tutoring program– operations, billing, and branding– is entirely taken care of.

GERENCIA ÁGIL

NUTRI-WIN

Nutri-Win is a social enterprise committed to tackling the issue of protein malnutrition through the development and distribution of a highly nutritious cereal-based product. Our mission is to provide an accessible and affordable meal fortified with essential proteins and micronutrients, improving the health and well-being of affected individuals, especially children. By addressing protein deficiency, Nutri-Win aims to make a lasting impact on the fight against Kwashiorkor in Nigeria.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Home Away From Home is a social business that raises mental health awareness in refugee children through comic books.

UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

AQUARIUS

Aquarius is an engineering project that aims to revolutionize commercial fishing methods. Our innovative solution is designed to uplift fishing nets, effectively putting an end to the catastrophic damage inflicted upon the fragile seabed. Currently, nets rubbing against the seabed devastate marine ecosystems and contribute to 1.5 billion tons of annual CO2 emissions. Join us in preserving ocean health and reducing CO2 emissions.

ØKO BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Øko Biotechnologies, a Canadian-based startup, has developed a bioprocess aimed at creating wax esters, biodegradable molecules used in cosmetics and lubricants, to replace the use of petrochemical ingredients in these products. The bioprocess utilizes industrial residues as a source of energy for microorganisms that passively produce wax ester. The process revolutionizes current methods of wax ester production by introducing a cheap and renewable source through circular economy.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

OX SOX

OX SOX fuels confidence by eliminating embarrassing foot odor that plagues over 50 million people across the nation through sustainable patent-pending odorless socks that have already generated waves of national attention.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA- CROOKSTON

CIRCULAR SANDS

Circular Sands is a partnership committed to help solve our current global sand shortage in the United States. We are solving this by turning America's 7.6 million tons of annual glass waste into recycled sand that can be used for golf course bunkers and top dressing. This really kills two birds with one stone: easing the sand shortage and reducing glass waste.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

HYDROPHOS SOLUTIONS

HydroPhos Solutions is a circular economy social venture that simultaneously addresses eutrophication and phosphorus depletion as a function of its core business model. HydroPhos utilizes phosphorus filtration technology to extract phosphorus from wastewater, subsequently reselling this phosphorus into the fertilizer industry. This reduces eutrophication, recycles the nutrients, and extends the lifespan of our global food supply by combating phosphorus depletion.

EMBRACE THE RED

‘Embrace the Red’ is all about embracing the red of menstruation. We want our school-going menstruators in Nepal to have direct access to sanitary pads, and we do that via installation of sanitary pad vending machines in the schools. Embrace the Red aims to address period poverty and period stigma in the Nepali society through our educational component in our sanitary pads and empower our menstruators.

ASCENDER SYSTEMS

Well-coordinated disaster relief operations require reliable communications, perimeter security, and area lighting. Unfortunately, these often take several weeks to establish, delaying critical aid to those who need it. Ascender Systems has designed our patented single-person-deployable robotic solution that climbs vertical pipes, poles, and columns and installs our leave-behind system atop these structures, thereby ensuring safe delivery of assistance.

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

CHEMCO

Chemco reclaims raw materials from lithium ion batteries in a sustainable and efficient manner, redirecting them from the landfills, rivers, and main ecological systems to tools for bettering the environment.

B-CARE WOOD PELLET

B-Care seeks to improve the livelihoods of women in Ethiopia and most developing countries who carry heavy wood because of the lack of modern energy sources, by manufacturing and supplying wood pellets as a better alternative. The company will provide wood pellets as a source of fuel which is environmentally beneficial, sustainable, and a renewable biomass.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

FUNGI VITAE

Fungi Vitae seeks to tackle the problem of inadequate waste management in slum communities. Our system can be divided into three steps: collect, grow, and sell. We buy organic material from waste sorters, a common profession in slums. Then use this waste to grow mushrooms. Once the mushrooms are harvested, we sell the intact ones. The leftover substrate, which is the material in which the mushrooms are grown, is dried, treated with nutrients, and sold as fertilizer.

NAVIGO

Navigo is a benefit corporation focused on improving health literacy for medically underserved communities by addressing gaps in treatment adherence, patient engagement, and care continuity. Our AI integrated mobile health app facilitates access to comprehensive medical information, seeking to promote a more equitable healthcare experience.

PARADIGM ROBOTICS

Paradigm Robotics is developing the next generation of advanced and accessible robotic solutions to protect the brave. Firefighters nationwide are exposed to lifethreatening situations while searching for human life in structural fires, leading to tens of thousands of injuries, dozens of fatalities, and lifelong illnesses. Paradigm Robotics flagship product, FireBot, is the world’s first high-temperature resistant unmanned search-and-rescue robot designed to efficiently search burning buildings for human life and identify hazardous situations, safely providing firefighters mission-critical information. FireBot’s award-winning technology revolutionizes firefighting by mitigating over $2B of annual injury expenses and drastically reducing fatalities - keeping our brave heroes safe.

PANEL DISCUSSION

(FINALIST SESSIONS)

HOW I BUILT THIS: THE HIPPY JOB-GIVER, THE VEGAN BOSS LADY, THE TECHIE LAWYER & THE YOUTH ADVOCATE

FRIDAY JUNE 16TH ~ 1:15pm - 2:15pm SCHULZE HALL 316

What does it really take to start and build a successful social business? Join us to hear how four social entrepreneurs turned their vision i nto impactful social enterprises. This panel will dive into the stories behind the founders of Coconut Whisk, Hippy Feet, TurnSignl, and Youth Lens 360. We will hear how the y built ventures that empower beneficiaries and deliver unique value to consumers while inspiring movements that transform communities.

MONEY TALKS: FUNDING FOR YOUR SOCIAL BUSINESS

FRIDAY JUNE 16TH ~ 1:15pm - 2:15pm SCHULZE HALL 301

We invite you to an engaging discussion on strategies for securing capital to propel your social entrepreneurship ventures forward! Our este emed panelists bring a wealth of experience and expertise in funding social impact i nitiatives and will share valuable insights on how to attract the necessary capital to take you r ideas to the next level.

PANEL DISCUSSION (ADVISOR/UNI LEAD SESSION)

TWIN CITIES SOCIAL BUSINESS: HOW COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES DRIVE IMPACT

FRIDAY JUNE 16TH ~ 1:15PM - 2:15PM SCHULZE HALL 421

With a network of 5,000-plus social enterprises, over 31,000 nonprofits, and more than 100 Minnesota businesses identifying as Public Benefit Corporations or BCorps, the Twin Cities boasts one of the most thriv ing social business environments in the country. This session will feature leaders f rom the social impact space in a discussion on their work and opportunities for coll aboration across sectors currently and in the future.

CHANGEMAKER ROUND JUDGES

Ron Fowler is the Chairman & CEO of Liquid Investments. He is a principal and board member of Columbia Distributing in Oregon and Washington. Recognized as a beverage industry leader, Mr. Fowler has chaired or been a member of numerous corporate and association boards over the past 50 years.

Mr. Fowler is the previous owner & Executive Chairman of the San Diego Padres. He remains involved with Major League Baseball and is currently a member of the Pension & Benefits Committee and PDL Governance Committee.

Mr. Fowler and his wife, Alexis, have a special interest in higher education, specifically in academics, sports, and at-risk youth. He is the founding chair of the San Diego State University Campanile Foundation, chairman emeritus of University of San Diego’s Board of Trustees and is chairman emeritus of the San Diego Sports Association. Mr. Fowler is actively involved with and supportive of his alma mater, the University of St. Thomas, where he served on the Board of Trustees and Athletic Advisory Board.

Connie Rutledge is a leader in the Twin Cities community of entrepreneurs and CEO of the Finnovation Lab. In this role, she leads the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program to support social entrepreneurs with the goal of making Minnesota a leader for impact-driven brands. Supported by the Bush Foundation, the program inspires, equips, and connects social business leaders through an immersive nine-month experience.

With over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship and business management, Ms. Rutledge's expertise ranges from concept design, market analysis, and fundraising to product development, operations, and strategic partnerships. Her passion is supporting innovators with practical advice and strategic analysis so they can recognize their vision in a socially and financially sustainable way.

Ms. Rutledge has developed and taught courses in entrepreneurship for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the University of Minnesota. She also coordinated the Minneapolis/St. Paul Mini Maker Faire, attracting over 5000 makers, artists, and curious families every year. She holds a BA in sociology from the University of Tulsa and an MPA from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota.

Mark Zesbaugh is President of Entrepreneurial 180. He has spent nearly 30 years working in the insurance industry and advising entrepreneurial businesses. He most recently served as President and CEO of Security Life; a national life & health insurance carrier focused on the ancillary products markets. There, he orchestrated the company’s successful turnaround and ultimate sale in 2016.

Mr. Zesbaugh’s earlier career achievements include starting and leading a Bermuda-based reinsurance company and a successful 17-year at Allianz Life/LifeUSA where he held roles as CEO and CFO. Over the last 10 years, Mr. Zesbaugh has worked with and invested in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, providing expertise and advice to accelerate business growth. He sits on numerous for-profit and not-for-profit boards.

CHANGEMAKER ROUND JUDGES

Dr. Joanna Ramirez is the Director of Program Operation at the Bush Foundation where she provides strategic and day-to-day leadership of grants management and administration, program operations and technology. As a 2018 Bush Fellow, she completed a Social Entrepreneurship executive education certificate from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Prior to joining the Bush Foundation in 2023, Ms. Ramirez has held leadership roles at several different organizations including serving as Vice President of Business Solutions at Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) where she oversaw business consulting services for BIPOC entrepreneurs in Twin Cities area in addition to a $20M loan fund. In addition to her experience in the entrepreneurial space, she also previously served as Executive Director of College Possible Twin Cities and the Director of Corporate Giving at Xcel Energy.

Named “World-Class Peacekeeper” and “Everyday Hero” by the Star Tribune, Hanadi is a social entrepreneur and an inclusion consultant, speaker, and coach. As a thought-partner to leaders in business, education, and government, Hanadi gives voice to communities of color and inspires employees from all identities to come together around shared our humanity.

Ms. Chehabeddine has been recognized by the Social Enterprise Alliance (Twin Cities Chapter) in their 2020 Social List for her work as a community builder and peacemaker. She has worked as an inclusion consultant and trainer with clients such as Kimberly Clark, Land O’ Lakes, Blue Cross Blue Shields, National Diversity Council, Wunderman Thomason, B Lab, MAS Department of Mental Health, Hennepin County and many more. Her training sessions have been featured at the National SHRM Diversity and Inclusion Conference, Leadership Diversity Alliance, The Forum on workplace Inclusion, The Multicultural Women’s National, EmERGe Conference, Serious Play, The National Diplomacy Summit, and many others.

Ms. Chehabeddine is a Human Rights Award recipient from the city of Eden Prairie for her efforts in dismantling misconceptions and building bridges of unity. She has been featured in The Washington Times, The Huffington Post, the Star Tribune, The Minneapolis Institute of Art, and Cosmopolitan magazine. Hanadi joined the US State Department in 2016 as a speaker on social media and social change and delivered a TEDx talk in 2017.

Adair Mosley is the CEO of the African American Leadership Forum - a think-and-do tank focused on accelerating transformative solutions to improve social and economic outcomes for Black Minnesotans.

Mr. Mosley joined AALF after a distinguished tenure as the president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, where he worked to address multidimensional social issues like health equity, food insecurity, and wealth creation in black and brown communities. Mr. Mosley has been recognized as a passionate, bold change-maker and relentless strategic innovator. Over the course of his leadership journey, he has demonstrated radical and inclusive solutions to the community’s most urgent needs.

Mr. Mosley has championed many transformative community initiatives, including co-leading the development social enterprises including North Market, raising $1M in scholarship funds for an entire North High School graduating class, and launching an equitable community development corporation, Justice Built Communities. He has a global executive Masters of Science in Cities from the London School of Economics, having previously attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan’s Executive Leadership Institute. He earned a certificate in Human Centered Design from Stanford's d.school.

THANK YOU, RON & ALEXIS FOWLER

The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge is na med in recognition of alumnus Ron Fowler ‘66, Chairman and CEO of Liquid Investments Inc., whose generous gifts to the University of St. Thomas have made this competition and collaboration with the University of San Diego (USD ) possible. We are immensely grateful to Ron and his wife Alexis for t heir continued generosity and passion for student entrepreneurs around the wo rld.

The Fowlers have a deep commitment to higher educat ion. The Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University was named for him and his wife after a significant challenge gift to the university. Ron was also a primary financial contributor and chaired the successful campaign to create the Entrepreneurial Management Center at SDSU. Ron was the chair of the Board of Trustees at the University of San Diego and was recently a memb er of the Board of Trustees at the University of St. Thomas. The Fowle rs have also provided exceptional levels of leadership support to St. Tho mas and USD in the areas of student scholarships, entrepreneurship programs and athletics.

An avid sports enthusiast, Ron is a former co-owner and executive chairman of the San Diego Padres. He was the founding chair of the San Diego International Sports Council, chair of the San Diego Super Bowl T ask Force and of the 2003 Super Bowl Host Committee. In 2009, he was named a Distinguished American by the National Football Foundation.

As a community and civic leader, Ron received the 2 012 First Chairman’s Award from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. He was named Big Brothers/Big Sisters of San Diego County’s Person o f the Year in 2012. In 2008, he received the John F. Cade Award from the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business, recognizing his spirit of entrepreneurship and ethics in the way he conducts business.Ron also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of St.Thomas in 2014 for his leadership and service to his alma mater, the community and his field of work.

THANK YOU, PITHSBURGH REGIONAL HEALTH INITIAVE (PRHI)

Our immense gratitude also goes to Pittsburgh Regio nal Health Initiative (PRHI) , the sponsor of this year’s Big Idea Patient Safety Award for ventures tackling issues under Sustainable Development Goal #3, Good Health and Well-Being.

The PRHI is one of the nation's first regional coll aboratives of medical, business, and civic leaders organized to address healthcare s afety and quality improvements. Teams submitting in this category wer e asked to produce a vision of a radically safer healthcare system with a comm itment to addressing UN Sustainable Development. The award is designed to f uel the engagement of students and innovators in creating solutions and e nvisioning transformational approaches to reduce preventable harm from medical errors and reimagine a vastly safer healthcare system.