entrepreneurial spirit

Go Green Go, a T-shirt business that promotes eco-friendly activities, is the winner of Idea Café’s Entrepreneurial Spirit 2009 Small Business Grant. With its original concept of promoting eco-awareness and social responsibility, Go Green Go has instantly grabbed the hearts of our regulars and stood out amongst hundreds of other nominated small business ideas. Congratulation! We wish you luck in all your future initiatives!

Environmentally Conscious Organization (e.c.o.), Inc. is a design and licensing firm, dedicated to improving outmoded, outdated and wasteful food packaging. e.c.o. is marketing its first product, the ‘Green Box’ (US Patent 7,051,919), a pizza box manufactured from 100% recycled material. The top of the ‘Green Box’ breaks down into convenient serving plates, eliminating the need for disposable plates. The remainder of the box converts easily into a handy storage container, eliminating the need for plastic wrap, tin foil or plastic bags. The perforations and scores that create this functionality allow for easy disposal into a standard-sized recycling bin. Made from a standard pizza blank, the ‘Green Box’ requires no additional material or major redesign and can therefore be produced at no additional manufacturing cost. e.c.o. owns the utility patent on the ‘Green Box.’

Fanta-Sea Divers teach people how to blow bubbles! They are scuba diving instructors, introducing folks to an exciting new underwater world. Here is what they say: "It is so amazing to see the look on our students faces when they realize how much FUN scuba diving is and how truly magical the underwater world is."

The voting deadline for the Seventh Idea Cafe Grant was extended by one week, from July 7 to July 13th 2009. The deadline extension will give everyone one last opportunity to vote for their favorite business idea. The winner will be announced shortly after voting closes on midnight, July 13th.

Superbus is a full size school bus that has all the seats removed, and retro fitted into a gym for ages 2-7. Superbus "delivers" fun to area child care centers and schools in the Louisville KY area. Their obstacle course changes every week, with equipment such as cargo net, climbing board, monkey bars, mountain wall, zip line balance beam high/low bar, tumbling equipment, and more. The program teaches a non-competitive love for sports and fitness and helps children with their self confidence.

Started over 60 years ago, Jasco’s beginning coincided with the beginning of American fashion. Over five years ago, they launched a luxury organic and sustainable line of fabrics called Jasco Eco, and their sales and the collection have been growing steadily. Jasco donate their organic fabrics to fashion departments across the county to inspire design students and raise awareness.

How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what, or who, is your main source of motivation?

Otter Bay Wetsuits manufactures custom wetsuits for cold water diving. They also do repairs and alterations on existing suits.

How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what, or who, is your main source of motivation?

The Energy Cafe is an internet cafe next to a high school. The entire concept developed with the collaboration of the high school students who would become the customers. The high school kids helped in every aspect of building and opening this cafe, giving them a real world application for some of the stuff they are learning in school.

Spirit Works is a Retail yarn and lesson company, with a 300 sq ft storefront and an online business.

How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what, or who, is your main source of motivation?

The voting for the winner of the Seventh Idea Cafe Grant continues, with some of the finalists taking a lead. However, nothing is decided at this point, because voting is scheduled to close on July 7th, and there is still time for the overall picture to change. We are presenting the current distribution of votes below. Please note that finalists who received less than 1% of the total number of votes are not listed in the graphic.