WASHINGTON, DC (March 17, 2010) — Through a new partnership, The Hitachi Foundation will bring the expertise of angel investor network Investors' Circle to its Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program, a national competition launched in February 2010 to uncover and invest in young business leaders addressing poverty in America.
The Hitachi Foundation will select up to six young entrepreneurs to receive its Yoshiyama award, including a cash prize of up to $50,000 to support his or her business. Through this new partnership, Yoshiyama entrepreneurs will also be paired with mentors from Investors' Circle, a network of 225 angel investors, professional venture capitalists, foundations and other investors. In addition, entrepreneurs will benefit from networking opportunities, including an invitation to the Investors' Circle Fall 2010 conference, a premier meeting place for social entrepreneurs, investors, business professionals and organizations dedicated to creating a sustainable economy.
"At our core, we share a common goal with Investors' Circle: to catalyze business solutions to social problems." said Barbara Dyer, president and CEO of The Hitachi Foundation. "We are delighted to partner with Investors' Circle to connect our Yoshiyama entrepreneurs with some of the leading minds in social enterprise."
"Our members have expressed an interest in mentoring opportunities, so this partnership is a perfect fit," said Deb Parsons, Co-Director of Investors' Circle. "By investing in the potential of young people to address social challenges, we can all help to create truly sustainable solutions."
The Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program is open to individuals ages 18-29 who are using innovative products or practices to help move low-wealth individuals into the mainstream of American society. Applications are due March 22, 2010, and awardees will be announced in November 2010. For application details, click here.Investors' Circle is one of the largest, most established angel investor networks in the country, and the only one dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy. Since 1992, its network of investors has facilitated the flow of more than $130 million into more than 200 private companies addressing social and environmental problems. For more information on Investors' Circle, visit http://www.investorscircle.net/
