Green Options » collaboration

One Great Way to Support Green Startups: Think Inside the Box

Paul Smith — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:17 +0000

Here’s an idea that comes from outside the green business world, but has much to offer us and I think should be repeated all over.

In London, KiosKiosk is a simple, powerful, powerfully fun idea: Create an attractive temporary space for upcoming (but ready to sell) businesses to be at, in a high traffic area. At no cost.

Backed by the London Sustainable Development Commission, businesses just need to submit a brief form describing what they’d like to use the kiosk for, when, and why they are a good idea for the KiosKiosk and vice versa.

While the KiosKiosk is focused on creative/design/arts/music businesses, such an idea could, and should be replicated for green startups, many of which, like any small company, may not have the funds or credit history to get a full fledged, full time space. Since there is no rent to pay, this could also be used by companies to create, say, memorable experiences and activities out of the space, of lasting promotional value and social media worthy mentions, growing their online business, for example.

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A New, Open Source Model of Car Design Emerges

Paul Smith — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:00:51 +0000

As the auto industry as we know it continues to crumble, a new model is emerging out of the Netherlands, known currently as c,mm,n. Open source design has proven itself successful in a number of arenas from software to restaurants. But a car? Yes, one where the design will be made available to the public, with the provision that their design be likewise made open to the public to do their own revisions and modifications on it.

With the focus being shifted to creating a vehicle that meets people’s needs in conjunction with other modes of transport, the experience of driving it enhanced by currently useful information, and the profit centered on the services rather than the product itself, this is a radical shift from tightly reigned intellectual property, proprietary after market parts, and a rather slow development curve when it comes to becoming a truly green car.

The thinking about and creation of the c,mm,n car is being done both online and in person, with the three c,mm,n garages happening so far. 800+ people are on their wiki, with 80 actively participating in conception and design at the moment.

What’s the actual car like?

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Possibly the Easiest Way to Open Your Own Green Store

Paul Smith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:00:18 +0000

So you have an interest in sustainability, particularly when it comes to your home environment. You know enough that your friends seem to flock to you for advice. They say, “You should open your own store!” You think hmm, they might be on to something. But you’ve never opened up a store, and it’s a tough economy these days for doing so.

g Green Design Center may be just the ticket.

Begun in Massachusetts, they’ve now created a franchise program for the budding ecopreneurist, where someone with the passion can put the backing of someone already doing it, together with what will increasingly become a known name for such stores.

The flagship g store has a host of green building/design services from interior and architectural design to eco events.

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Our New Agenda: Opportunity Green and the Emerging Movement

James Hanusa — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:49:00 +0000

In it’s second year, the Opportunity Green conference, hosted at UCLA, was a big success. Kudos to Karen Solomon and her team! This year was amplified in many ways over last, including major brand name sponsors, media partners and speakers. It was a very progressive sustainability event; mingling movement building, innovation and collaborative culture.

Opportunity Green:

Having attended Opportunity Green last year, I believe the conference has some very unique qualities. As opposed to other sustainability conferences, Opportunity Green’s DNA is L.A. - A little more style and flash, as well as a concentration on the business upside in going green.

From a crowd perspective, you also see more students involved, which is very valuable. As the dominant industries of L.A., Media and celebrities are well represented as well. I like that Opportunity Green also includes Clean Tech and Venture Capital as core concentration areas. If you are an entrepreneur, this is probably the best conference for exploring the potential to rapidly move from idea to wide scale market penetration.

Manifesto:

Opportunity Green issued a manifesto that resonated with me, framed in the power of coming together. The manifesto speaks to Opportunity Green serving a movement to transform business for good; advancing change and market transformation. It goes on to establish itself as a gathering to create a collaborative, positive culture of change with a focus on innovation and inspiration. An experience acting as catalyst for sustainable, profitable and responsible business. I encourage other corporations to follow suit and position themselves as participating in the movement for positive change.

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