Capital for Water, Community Development and Impact Digital Media Entrepreneurs

Investors' Circle, a network of impact investors, is dedicated to the growth of businesses with high social and environmental impact. As mentioned in Forbes recently, the IC network invested more than $10 million in early-stage enterprises in 2012, and targets are higher for 2013. Some of the exciting companies in Water, Community Development and Impact Digital Media that raised significant investment through IC in 2012 are:

• Natural Systems Utilities - Natural Systems Utilities is a sustainable water management company that plans, designs, builds, owns and operates ecologically based water systems. NSU’s mission is to manage integrated water ecologies to meet human development needs in the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner possible.
• First Light Destination, Evergreen Lodge - Purchased by First Light Destinations in 2002, the historic Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite is a socially minded business that finances and operates an innovative, behind‐the‐scenes on‐site Youth Employment Program in which a group of high‐potential young adults from urban backgrounds work as paid interns, gaining work experience while receiving career and life counseling.
• Daily Worth - DailyWorth is a community of women who talk money. Practical tips, empowering ideas, and key insights into money management are delivered free daily in inspirational email messages.

Early-stage entrepreneurs are invited to apply to this active network of socially responsible angel investors, venture capitalists, foundations and family offices. Applicants will be considered for an opportunity to present (pitch) at the Investors’ Circle Spring 2013 Venture Fair & Forum, scheduled for May 8–9 in San Francisco, CA.

Application deadline: Friday, February 1 by 5pm PT | 8pm ET

There is a $200 application fee and all entrepreneurs are first directed to review IC's criteria and funding process. Qualifying businesses receive immediate exposure to network members and will be considered for IC's in-person and virtual venture fairs. They will be highlighted in an e-newsletter read widely by IC's entire investor network and a permanent profile is automatically posted on GUST, IC's secure online deal database.

Entrepreneurs selected to present will be notified within 6–8 weeks, at which time they will receive presentation coaching. Entrepreneurs will engage an exclusive audience of angel and institutional investors, and are offered ample networking time.  An outstanding feature of working with this group of investors is that interested parties enter due diligence discussions right away, greatly faciliating the investment process.

"The recent rise in our network's investment levels are exciting," says Justin Desrosiers, IC's Director of Strategy & Operations and the one in charge of the organization's vetting process. "Entrepreneurs in education, health and cleantech are enthusiastically encouraged to get their applications in for consideration and now is an optimal time to do it."

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