CASE Launch Pad
2016 Launch Pad Award
Providing an online retailer of socially conscious products handmade in East Africa Founder: Joy Anena Odongpiny Venture: Lamwaka What happened: Joy accepted a full-time job after she graduated but is still continuing to incubate Lamwaka. Dan Heath: “Joy has a strong personal link to this work—her mother and grandmother were micro-entrepreneurs in Uganda. She spent […]
2014 Launch Pad Award
Creating a marketplace that matches entrepreneurs who need funding with investors Founder: Frederico Rizzo Venture: Broota (Brazil) Dan Heath: “Frederico is resourceful and resilient. Early on, he dodged a lot of the problems that can doom a startup: team problems, money problems, and timing problems. Every time, he faced into the problem directly and figured out a solution. […]
2013 Launch Pad Award
Developing an artisanal diamond mind to provide an ethical supply of diamonds and invest back in the community Founder: Rachel Lichte Venture: The Clarity Project What happened: Rachel, an MBA/MEM, spent much of her third year in Sierra Leone, where she worked with the community, built a team, and acquired rights to a diamond mine. Unfortunately, operational challenges […]
2012 Launch Pad Award
Launching a fund to acquire ranches, lease them back to their owners, and implement conservation practices Founders: Jack Beuttell and David Nicola Venture: Working Lands Impact Fund What happened: Jack and Dave were ultimately unable to secure funding for the plan. Dan Heath: “Jack and Dave were a great inaugural duo for the Launch Pad. They met at a […]