STARTINGBLOC LAUNCHES THE 'LOS ANGELES INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION'

Riveting Talks, Education & Networking Conference for Emerging Social Entrepreneurs!

**FIVE-DAY INSTITUTE, Feb. 17-21; LAUNCH PARTY SUNDAY, Feb. 20, 6-9 P.M.**

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- StartingBloc educates, inspires and connects tomorrow's social entrepreneurs. Through inspirational talks and world-class leadership training, the Fellowship guides emerging social entrepreneurs and demonstrated leaders with potential to create new solutions to global challenges.

With more than 1350 Fellows from over 50 countries, StartingBloc is becoming the premier program that launches young talent to create positive economic and social impact.

StartingBloc's five-day LA journey will take place Feb. 17-21, offering knowledge from visionaries and change makers:

• Houston Spencer, VP of Strategy, Alcatel Lucent
• Scott Sherman, Founder, Transformative Action Institute
• Martin Smith, Founder & CEO, JustMeans on "The Scope of CSR"
• Sean Carasso, Founder of Falling Whistles, "Tales from the Trenches: Social Entrepreneurship"
• Rene Jones, Director of the UTA Foundation on how "Hollywood Glamour helps Global Causes"
• Greg Wendt, VP of "Sustainable and Responsible Investing" with EP Wealth Advisors, Inc.
• Mitchell Wade, Founder of Institute3 on "Lasting Change"

The ambitious program will also offer inspirational sessions with Houston & Mitchell, online social advocacy expert Catherine Geanuracos, Professional Poker Players Annie Duke and Rafe Furst, and Alexia Vernon, Leadership & Millennial Coach. Darren Allen Moore "EcoMacgyver" will also participate, joining StartingBloc's CEO, Adriana Pentz, in delivering a special message at the launch party.

"Our LA institute marks the national expansion of StartingBloc," says Ms. Pentz (BOS '07), StartingBloc's CEO. "We aim to nurture exceptional leaders, offering structured working assignments that pass knowledge. This particular institute draws candidates from over 20 US states and five countries.

In addition, our sessions energetically engage candidates to apply their developing skills to real-world issues."

"StartingBloc has been absolutely crucial to launching [my organization] Ayllu," says Fellow Melissa Richer (NY '08). "We have contacted prominent individuals and institutions that we would have never had access to without the StartingBloc network. The Fellows are living proof that real change is not just about bold ideas, but bold social networks."

The LA Institute for Social Innovation includes "The Wealth of Knowledge in the Room", a forum for candidates to pitch to StartingBloc alum and offer mentorship. In addition, StartingBloc candidates will participate in "The Long Game", a competition to proposing innovative solutions for climate change. Additionally, sessions will focus on the art and science of building relationships and cultivating team-building skills. Overall, Fellows will leave the program with a framework to transform individuals, communities, and the world.

MEDIA may actively participate or observe all StartingBloc activities by emailing [email protected] and CCing [email protected] to request a full agenda. Media may also call 917-494-5041 to confirm their presence. Talks will take place at the Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90402, Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., and Monday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

All are invited to celebrate the launch on Sunday Evening, February 20th, from 6-9 PM, also at Annenberg Community Beach House. Visit http://lalaunchparty.eventbrite.com to purchase your ticket for $25 for the event. Tickets are also available for the general public to experience one day of the StartingBloc Institute for $100.

ABOUT Hailed by Worldchanging.com as an organization that "produces a fun and natural synergy that compels you to 'act now' with your decision to change the world," StartingBloc is a 501(c)3 educational Fellowship program that trains and connects emerging leaders, mostly in their 20s, to create new solutions to global challenges. Participants may be leaders of their own initiatives, or change agents within larger organizations. Learn more at www.startingbloc.org.

MEDIA CONTACT Marissa Feinberg, 917-494-5041 [email protected]

SOURCE StartingBloc