Social Venture Partners Highlights Fast Pitch Finalists for October 25th Event at McCaw Hall

SEATTLE, Oct. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Social Venture Partners (SVP) announced today the finalists in its Fast Pitch social impact innovation competition. The 14 finalists, including four high school and college contestants, are vying for more than $300K in grants and prizes.These entrepreneurs are honing five-minute pitches for their outstanding social-change ideas for the Final Showdown at McCaw Hall on October 25, in front of up to 1,000 philanthropists, impact investors, colleagues, friends and family. Pitch ideas range from updating the old rummage sale model, to bringing homeless community donations into the sharing economy, to making an impact on our environment from beyond the grave. A full list of the #FPFinal14 can be found here.

The event is an electrifying, fast-paced showdown, with immediate funding announced in front of the audience, and tickets are available at tinyurl.com/fpfinal.

"Come to Fast Pitch to experience the magic: passionate social innovators, brilliant systems change solutions, an auditorium filled with people, investing in a better future for the region… it doesn't get more inspiriting!" said Lisa Nitze, President & CEO of Social Venture Partners.

"What is exciting about SVP Fast Pitch Final Showdown is we get this amazing group of people together. And they've put their heart and soul into this competition for good and they get to see the results of all their hard work up there on stage. So the showdown is truly a showdown. It's got a little bit of drama, a little bit of excitement and a whole lot of passion." said Will Poole, SVP Fast Pitch originator.

Participants are mentored and coached to hone their pitch skills in this win-win environment for contestants and investors alike. The Final Showdown will be judged by distinguished regional leaders from the business, investment and social sector communities. The audience participates in real-time text message voting to select the most innovative programs and the best pitches. This year Uber is supporting Fast Pitch and social entrepreneurs by offering free transportation to and from the event for all attendees.  This promotion will be available within the app.

"Fast Pitch is the single most dynamic annual gathering of mission-driven organizations and entrepreneurs in the region," says Peter Nitze, President of Nitze-Stagen and Co-Chair of the Impact Group: a group of local business leaders and angel investors partnering with SVP to shape its for-profit social impact investing strategy.

SVP Fast Pitch, which launched in 2011, connects social innovators and entrepreneurs with business, philanthropic, and nonprofit leaders to help amplify their impact. Through the five-month program, nonprofits, students, and mission-driven entrepreneurs hone their ideas and messages through workshops, pitch clinics, mentoring, and networking events. At the same time, they build relationships with advisors, donors, investors and partners.

Tickets are on sale now at tinyurl.com/fpfinal. Net proceeds from the event will support Social Venture Partners, the registered 501c3 that runs Fast Pitch.

SVP Fast Pitch is generously supported by companies and organizations committed to entrepreneurial spirit and the Puget Sound region.

SVP Fast Pitch Platinum Sponsors: Microsoft, Microsoft Alumni Foundation, Microsoft Civic and Tech, BECU, Lane Powell, Uber, SOULCRAFT Media, Gold Sponsors: Comcast, GoDaddy, Amazon, Charles Schwab, UBS, WinWin, Google, Starbucks Silver Sponsors: Point B, Letterbox , Seattle Foundation, Schwab, Puget Sound Energy and PR Sponsors: Letterbox PR and PR Newswire.

About SVP Fast Pitch
Since its inception in 2011, SVP Fast Pitch has awarded nearly two million dollars in grants, prizes and investments, and helped hundreds of innovators amplify their impact in the Puget Sound region. Fast Pitch Seattle has been supported by more than 500 volunteers and was founded by a team from SVP, led by technology leader and philanthropist Will Poole. For more information, please visit:http://www.socialventurepartners.org/seattle/fast-pitch/

About Social Venture Partners
Social Venture Partners is a philanthropic organization. SVP amplifies the impact of those out to do good by cultivating effective philanthropists, funding and strengthening social sector organizations and investing in collaborative solutions around education and the environment. www.socialventurepartners.org

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