OptimizeWayne

As many of you may have already assumed, we will no longer be holding our annual showcase and networking dinner this year.

We understand that this will bring up several concerns about our upcoming pitches and funding, so the Core Team has put a process into place to move all pitch-related activities online. We want to ensure that the current cohort continues to get the most out of the program they have put so much work into.

We are a community filled with individuals who are constantly working to make the world a better place, so let's make sure that we continue to do this keeping the safety of others in mind. Please feel free to keep emailing or direct messaging us with questions related to your projects or the program.

We look forward to seeing the continued growth of your social impact projects next week!

OptimizeWayne updated their business hours.

Our alums are starting 2020 by making some big waves - congratulations ToDoolie on this accomplishment! We look forward to seeing how you continue to grow💡

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/entrepreneurship/startup-todoolie-closes-425000-funding-round-heads-chicago-accelerator-program

Startup ToDoolie closes on $425,000 funding round, heads to Chicago accelerator program A Grosse Pointe Park-based technology startup has closed on a $425,000 pre-seed funding round, just ahead of beginning a stint at a top accelerator program. Executives with ToDoolie Inc., which operates out of the Bamboo co-working space in downtown Detroit, will spend the next three months working....

ATTN there are scholarships available for you to attend the conference at NO COST! (link in the bio)
————————————— The 2019 Net Impact Conference is coming to DETROIT for the first time on October 24-26th. It’s an opportunity to be inspired and learn from Net Impact leaders from around the nation. Connect and grow your network of changemakers, innovators, sustainability leaders, activists, students, and companies.

For more information visit conference.netimpact.org/ni19/home @ TCF Center

Interested in applying to the Social Innovation Challenge or just learning about social entrepreneurship initiatives in general? Come by our annual kickoff event in the UGL atrium on 10/16 anywhere between 3:30-5:30pm to learn more.

Love seeing our OptimizeWayne Alum recognized for all their amazing work! Check out Buttons 2 Button!

Farmington Hills mom's invention helps empower disabled Farmington Hills resident Gina Adams is the founder and CEO of Wareologie, a company that designs products for the disabled.

Introducing Optimizing Sunlight
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Congratulations to Optimizing Sunlight on winning $2,500 in funding towards their project! Optimizing Sunlight aims to utilize solar energy to empower neighborhood non-profits and help residents avoid utility shutoffs.
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Introducing Account Detroit
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Account Detroit is making citizen-driven oversight easy. Congratulations on winning $2,500 in funding!
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Introducing Giv-Wear
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Congratulations to Giv-Wear on winning $2,500 in funding towards her project. Giv-Wear makes their own jewelry and a certain percentage of their profits is donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Every $58 dollars helps pay for a girl’s education for one year.
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Introducing Actively Awesome
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Congratulations to Actively Awesome on winning $5,000 in funding! Actively Awesome provides a way for parents to help ensure their children get the recommended amount of physical activity.
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Introducing DreamSparc
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DreamSparc provides youth social entrepreneurship and leadership training. Congratulations on winning $5,000!
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Introducing KS Archery
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Congratulations to KS Archery on winning $5,000 towards their project! KS Archery is a summer camp for low-income, refugee, and minority students.
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Introducing DiscoverMI
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DiscoverMI is a Detroit themed augmented reality scavenger hunt. Congratulations on winning $5000 towards your project!
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Introducing Gloria’s Refuge

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Congratulations to Gloria’s Refuge on winning $5,000 of funding towards their project! Gloria’s Refuge helps transition women who have been released from prison into homes that help them become successful citizens.
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Introducing Pot of Hope
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Pot of Hope is a community outreach group that provides resources for immediate needs as well as for permanent stability for the future. Congratulations on winning $5,000 in funding!
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Introducing Birch Bride
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Congratulations to Birch Bride on winning $13,000 in funding towards their project! Birch Bride sells ethically made and sustainable engagement and fine jewelry. Congratulations and we thank you for being a part of the Challenge!
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Introducing Hands Only CPR

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HOCPR is a university challenge with the aim of teaching as many people hands-only CPR utilizing university campuses. Congratulations on winning $13,000 in funding!
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Introducing Blessing Box

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Meet our grand prize winners Blessing Box! Blessing Box alleviates food insecurity in Detroit via the establishment of accessible and stigma-free mini-pantries. Congratulations on winning $15,000 in funding for your project!
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Congratulations to all the Social Innovation Challenge winners! This year we were able to grant $73,000 in awards and funding to 12 projects. This is only the beginning, and we thank you for being a part of Cohort 3, and asking yourselves “Why Not Me?”

There’s only 1 day left until our Social Innovation Showcase this Wednesday! Join us to celebrate the 2019 Optimizers who took the challenge and asked themselves “Why Not Me?”

RSVP link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-innovation-showcase-2019-tickets-55622549543

2 days left until our Social Innovation Showcase! Join us to celebrate the 2019 Optimizers who took the challenge and asked themselves “Why Not Me?”

RSVP link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-innovation-showcase-2019-tickets-55622549543

4 days left until our Social Innovation Showcase! Join us to celebrate the 2019 Optimizers who took the challenge and asked themselves “Why Not Me?”

RSVP Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-innovation-showcase-2019-tickets-55622549543

Join us for the 2019 Social Innovation Showcase! In just 2 weeks, we’ll be highlighting the work of innovative student leaders who have developed projects for positive social impact.
Over the past 6 months, teams asked "Why not me?" as they worked to turn their ideas into reality. Help us celebrate their success on our night of pitches and social innovation at Wayne State University!

RSVP link: socialinnovationshowcase2019.eventbrite.com

We're excited to share that this year we are bringing together innovators and change-makers from across Metropolitan Detroit right here at Wayne State University.
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RSVP TODAY FOR THE 2nd ANNUAL SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE!!

when: April 5th 2019
where: at the newly opened Mike Ilitch School of Business.

Plenary talks and breakout workshops with breakfast and lunch provided!

Co-hosted by the School of Social Work, in partnership with the Mike Ilitch School of Business, and OptimizeWayne

Social Entrepreneurship Conference 2019 Join the School of Social Work at Wayne State University, OptimizeWayne, and Mike Ilitch School of Business at the second annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference. The conference will begin with a keynote on Getting Real about Impact presented by Morgan Simon, impact investment specialist and autho...

Check out last week's Optimizer Spotlight: we're featuring one Optimizer a week until Pitch Day! Here's Welcome Home Veterans with Owen Roper Jr.
https://medium.com//countdown-to-pitches-featuring-welcome-home-veteran-c98b991e4c06

COUNTDOWN TO PITCHES FEATURING: Welcome Home Veteran! Starting this week and every week until pitches we will be moving the spotlight from past to present Optimizers! This week we will be…