We launched Pitch For Progress to elevate the important work of impact entrepreneurs building companies that help to solve the world's most pressing challenges. The Founder Institute has been blown away by the volume and quality of video pitch submissions entered during the open pitch competition period, and we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to each and every social and environmental impact founder who took the time create a video pitch and submit their entry!
We proudly present the 10 Pitch For Progress Semi-Finalist impact startups:
Plend
Plend, based in London, allows for peer-to-peer lending at affordable rates via data sources that better assess creditworthiness of users who have been locked out of affordable credit from traditional lenders, due to archaic and backward-looking credit scoring.
Women's Global Health Innovations
The bfree cup by Women's Global Health Innovations, based in Toronto, is the physically antibacterial menstrual cup. Environmentally friendly and easy to clean, bfree can last up to 10 years and is designed from the ground-up to fight period poverty.
Braze Mobility
Braze Mobility, based in Toronto, is the maker of the world's first blind spot sensors to transform any regular wheelchair into a "smart" wheelchair that automatically detects obstacles and offers user alerts through intuitive lights, sounds, and vibrations.
3D-OPS
Ariadne 1.0 by 3D Organic Polymer Sink, based in Davis, California, has designed a cost-effective, novel system to manufacture 3D printed spider silk as an alternative to current biomaterials in medical applications.
MAA'VA
MAA’VA, based in Los Angeles, is developing a carbon-negative construction material, turning plastic and nonplastic waste into eco-material that advances solutions to climate change crisis, global river sand shortage, water scarcity, and rapid urbanization.
Hollbium
Hollbium, based in Stockholm, is making farming a natural part of any indoor environment, through stylish and minimalistic hydroponic systems that integrate seamlessly and deliver hyper-local food production to any space.
VoxCell BioInnovation
VoxCell BioInnovation, based in Victoria, Canada, is creating tissue engineering tools to revolutionize the drug development industry and the field of oncology research, through biomimetic 3D models that exceed existing bioprinting technology limitations.
Bloom Standard
Bloom Standard, based in Hong Kong, is deploying the first autonomous ultrasound imaging tech to democratize access to cardiac + Covid-19 screening for resource-limited settings.
Phioneers
Phioneers, based in London, is developing a low-cost and eco-friendly housing solution for Africans living in poverty, to provide homes where citizens can find comfort and share greater memories with their families.
Simphoni
Simphoni, based in Georgia, USA, is connecting the unconnected at the bottom of the pyramid, through a public phone system designed for the 700m adults in the developing world that cannot individually afford even the cheapest mobile phone options.
Join the Founder Institute live on July 14th for the Pitch For Progress Demo Day online event! The virtual 'venue' will also include several online networking sessions, where attendees can connect with other impact entrepreneurs and investors from across the globe.
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The Founder Institute believes we cannot rely solely on governments and big organizations to fix the world's problems - the time is now for entrepreneurs to also do their part.
Use our free For Progress planner to search iKPIs (Impact Key Performance Indicators) by keyword, or browse iKPIs by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Don't be intimidated by seemingly impossible impact metrics - instead, find specific SDGs that your business can positively influence.
Try the Progress Planner tool at FI.co/Progress, or learn more startup impact initiatives across the FI global network at FI.co/Impact.
