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Six social entrepreneurs shortlisted – going to a vote
Six social entrepreneurs shortlisted – going to a vote
It’s been tough to get the shortlist down to
six for the inaugural Rotary Club of Wellington Social
Enterprise Kick-start, run in conjunction with the Ākina
Foundation.
The award offers Wellington region-based social enterprises by providing $10,000 in cash to promising start-ups with Rotary providing up to $7,000 for the top venture with a likely $3,000 for the first runner-up.
Ākina Foundation Chief Executive Alex Hannant said they received 16 applications, submitted as three-minute videos.
“There is real diversity of ideas, approach and experience in the shortlist, covering employment, health care, community development, film-making and education,” he said.
| Title | Concept |
| The Drawing Board Challenge | Teach teens to change the world with business and technology. |
| Vogelmorn Community Group presents the Vogelmorn Community Club | Re-envisaging suburban connectivity and enterprise through developing the closed Vogelmorn Bowling Club into a community asset. |
| Sub Urban Co-Working | NZ’s first inter-generational suburban co-working space – in Johnsonville Shopping Centre. |
| oDocs Eye Care | Revolutionise community eye care through mobile, affordable eye care system. |
| Sew Good sewing co-operative, part of the Common Unity Project Aotearoa | Empowering people from vulnerable communities through the production of sewn garments and goods for gifting and sale. |
| Film for Change Aotearoa | Help mission-driven organisations tell their stories more effectively with a film-making service tailored for charities. |
“The Rotary Club of Wellington is the oldest Rotary Club in New Zealand – they have been a supporter of some of New Zealand’s most valued social causes – it’s fantastic to see them embracing this new generation of social entrepreneurs,” said Mr Hannant.
Rotary’s Vocational Committee Chair Andrew Miller said their members would also be available to support the successful ventures.
“As well as providing a cash injection at a time when it makes a real difference, Rotary members offer ongoing support. We can open doors to our networks, provide advice on accessing markets and technical support plus we may offer mentoring”, said Mr Miller.
The Rotary Club of Wellington had been an innovator in the 1920s, instrumental in establishing the Wellington Karitane Hospital, the Crippled Children’s Society (now Disability Action), Meals on Wheels, Cancer Society of NZ amongst others”, said Mr Miller. “More recently we have been involved in the establishment of the Child Health Research Foundation, the Wellington Botanic Gardens Education Centre, Wellington Wheels Expo, Skylight Trust, Friends of Refugees as Survivors and the EUREKA! Trust.”
Mr Hannant said the Ākina team was excited about this new opportunity to support social entrepreneurs thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the Rotary Club of Wellington.
“We are hopeful this successful partnership will challenge other services groups to get in behind social enterprise as a innovative way to approach our complex social and environmental challenges,” said Mr Hannant.
“We want to act as inspiration for other Rotary clubs around the country,” added Mr Miller.
The winner will be announced at a Rotary event on 31st August, after a presentation of the shortlisted videos and a vote by Rotary members.
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