Greater Good Academy Recognizes Socially and Environmentally Responsible Denver Start-Ups

							For Immediate Release

Contact:
Richard Eidlin
(303) 478-0131
Richard@greatergoodacademy.org

        Greater Good Academy Recognizes Socially and
                Environmentally Responsible
                      Denver Start-Ups
    November 26th Event Celebrates 6th Graduating Class with Business Plan
                                  Showcase

Denver, CO, November 21, 2012 - Socially and environmentally minded entrepreneurs
will gather to demonstrate how they plan to build Denver businesses focused on
community and sustainability at the Greater Good Academy’s (GGA) showcase on
November 26, 2012. The event, held from 5:30-7:45 p.m. at Mi Casa Resource
Center (360 Acoma St., Denver, CO 80223), will showcase these emerging small
business ventures and feature a discussion on business ethics and social
responsibility.

The goal of the GGA program is to give low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs the
training and financial support they need to develop ideas into profitable business
plans. During an eight-week class, students develop “triple bottom line” business
plans – plans that have community, sustainability and profit at their core.

Four of the Academy’s most recent graduates will present their business plans at the
showcase. The event will feature: Tim Brauhn, Denver Seitan Company, (a line of
delicious, healthy ‘fake meat’ vegan foods); Francine Lomiller & Kim Roth,
Schoolyard Crop, (reconnecting students to nature and agriculture through a
hands-on edible garden and curriculum program); Mike Pachan, SolCharged, (a
veggie oil powered, vending truck using solar technology to provide power for
mobile devices); and Destiny Faithe, Colorado Pure Essentials, (a line of
handcrafted natural soaps and personal care products).

The Showcase will also include Michael Ditchfield, owner of Jing, and Tammy
Cunningham will present the ‘Cunningham Award’ to one Greater Good Academy
(GGA) entrepreneurs in food-related businesses who exemplify the philanthropic
contributions and communitarian ideals of Noel Cunningham, String's Restaurant.

During the GGA, each entrepreneur completes a business plan that defines the
company’s mission, operations, marketing, pricing and related growth strategies. The
plan also describes how the business will integrate environmental and social
elements into its overall business strategy.

“Businesses that care for the environment and quality of life in their community are
more likely to become successful,” said Richard Eidlin, Founder and CEO of The
Progress Group. “The Greater Good Academy program helps entrepreneurs
implement sustainable and triple bottom line business thinking and practices to
become more profitable.”

GGA also provides its students with meaningful business relationships by connecting
the entrepreneurs with key people in the economic development, angel capital and
socially responsible business world. Through these networking opportunities, the
GGA program aims to equip its participants with the tools they need to take action
and contribute to the Denver community.

“This event gives attendees the chance not only to meet these entrepreneurs, but
also to learn more about the importance of business ethics and the benefits of
socially responsible practices,” Eidlin said.

The GGA showcase is open to the general public. Registration is $15 for private
companies, nonprofits, government and $10 for Greater Good Academy Alumni and
students. Supporting organizations for the event include Accion, the Denver Office of
Economic Development, the Colorado Enterprise Fund, Colorado Lending Source,
Johnson and Wales University, Mi Casa Resource Center, Accion, Mile High Business
Alliance and UMB Bank.

For more information, email Richard@greatergoodacademy.org. To register, visit:
http://proggroup.com/greater-good-academy/showcase.html

About The Greater Good Academy
The Greater Good Academy provides civic-minded entrepreneurs from under-served
communities with the resources they need to succeed and “scale” their ventures.
GGA accomplishes this by providing students with mentors and connecting them with
business partners in the community. The GGA helps to strengthen local communities,
incubate green businesses and increase economic self-sufficiency.

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