Fostering vibrant communities through diversified economic development.

Challenging the Status Quo

In Chile, the Inventa Comunidad program challenges community members to create and prototype solutions for pressing environmental and social challenges. We incubate the most viable businesses and help entrepreneurs bring their products to market. In 2018, every incubated business generated revenue and secured third-party funding, with numerous Inventa entrepreneurs being recognized through national awards.

In Portugal, the Foundation developed a training program for local companies to expand their businesses in partnership with the University of Lisbon. In Michigan, USA, the Foundation supported the Eagle Emerging Entrepreneurs Fund which provides financing to new entrepreneurs in Marquette County. To date, the fund has supported 38 early-stage entrepreneurs to access over $1.2M in loan financing. 

At Zinkgruvan Mine in southern Sweden, where the local community is long steeped in mining history, the focus has been on supporting young, aspiring entrepreneurs who want to have a social and environmental impact while ensuring the local community can attract and retain workforce talent. In 2018, the Foundation partnered with Alfred Nobel Science Park and Drivhuset to launch Zinkgruvan re:think, an entrepreneurship development program targeted at social and environmental solutions and youth entrepreneurship.