The Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit, a collaboration by Rural Action, Coalfield Development, Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, and other regional partners will be the area’s largest gathering of social entrepreneurs this year! This amazing event will attract entrepreneurs who are interested in the model of social entrepreneurship, as well as current practitioners and investors who are looking to network and expand. This is a great chance to engage and support some of the most creative and compassionate leaders our hills and hollers have to offer.
FARM TO TABLE DINNER AND LEARNING JOURNEY
Explore innovative projects and businesses around the area and enjoy a farm to table dinner at a local favorite on October 10.
- 1pm Departure from OU Inn
- 1:30pm – 2:30pm Athens County Land Bank High Street in Glouster with Aaron Dye and Ric Wasserman
- 1:30pm – 2:30pm Dirty Girl Coffee in Glouster
- 2:45pm – 3:15pm Truetown and True Pigments Tour with Michelle Shively MacIver
- 3:30pm – 4pm ACEnet on Columbus Road in Athens
- 4:15 pm-5pm Passion Works Studio in Athens
- 5:15 pm Casa Nueva/Cantina Happy Hour followed by Farm-to-Table Dinner
APPALACHIAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUMMIT PITCH COMPETITION
Win up to $10,000 for your Social Enterprise! More details coming soon.
APPALACHIAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUMMIT INFO
WHAT: Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit
WHEN: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Walter Hall 25 South Green Drive Athens, OH 45701
Pitch applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 23.
SUMMIT AGENDA
9:30-10:00 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:00-10:15 a.m.
Social Enterprise in 15 minutes: What is Social Enterprise & why is it important for Appalachia?
Morning Break – 30 minutes
10:45 a.m-12 p.m.
Pathways to Success
Breakout Session topics include: Supporting Employees in Social Enterprise, SROI (Social Return on Investment), Access to Capital, Business Formation; Strategies & Structures, Succession Planning; Ensuring Smooth Transitions, Workforce needs; Meeting Workforce Needs as a Social Enterprise, Deepening Impact; Using Business to Create Social Change
12-1 p.m.
Lunch
1-2:15 p.m.
Opportunity Sectors for Social Entrepreneurship
Breakout Sessions include sector focus discussions on Agriculture & Food Access, Ecological Restoration, Reuse/Circular Economy, Light Manufacturing, Tourism & Hospitality, and Ecological Restoration.
Afternoon Break – 15 Minutes
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Pitch Competition
Social Entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to present their concept to a panel of judges. Three cash prizes & no-fee expert business coaching and mentorship will be awarded to the top finalists. The top winner will also receive the honor of a year’s display of the White Water Rapids Pitch Competition Trophy. Contestants will be selected from across Appalachia.
4:00 p.m.
Pitch Competition Winners Announced
4:30 p.m.
Event Concludes
SPONSORS
