Sustainable Brands '10 Announces SB Innovation Open, a Contest for Sustainable Start-Ups

BURLINGAME, Calif., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainable Life Media today announced the addition of Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SB'IO) to its flagship conference, Sustainable Brands 2010.  Sustainable Life Media is seeking company applications in two broad areas. Those in the Idea Stage will be self or family funded with a solid business plan and limited operational experience.  The second category, Early Stage, seeks companies that are operating to plan with less than $1 million in outside capital invested.  Entries are sought in both consumer and business-to-business categories (those providing solutions supporting the growing sustainability industry).

Ten start-ups will be selected to participate in the SB'IO and will receive an opportunity to pitch at a pre-conference event to a group of green/social investors, executives from leading companies, top brand consultants and peers.

In addition to free attendance, the selected start-ups will be able to exhibit their products and services at the three-day conference. Ultimately, the winning company will receive significant visibility, strategic support and recognition from this influential community of brand and thought leaders.

"SB'IO supports innovation in sustainability from consumer brands AND those companies helping facilitate more sustainable practices inside existing companies," said KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, CEO of Sustainable Life Media.  "The SB'IO gives ten emerging companies a platform to showcase their early stage company and build a network of supporters that can accelerate their route to market."

A team of judges will review each submission and make selections based upon their commitment to sustainability and growth potential. The 2010 panel of judges is expected to include Steve Bishop, Sustainability Practice Lead, IDEO; Boyd Cohen, serial entrepreneur; R. Paul Herman, Founder, HIP Investor; Fast Company staff writer, Anya Kamenetz; Kelly Lauber, Head of Sustainable Business Innovation at Nike; Steve Newcomb, serial entrepreneur and Founder, Virgance; KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, Founder and CEO, Sustainable Life Media; Andrew Winston, author, Green to Gold; and others. From the ten companies that are accepted to pitch, two will then be selected to present on the main stage to the entire conference delegation during the Sustainable Brands '10 conference sessions.

Applicants should submit a one-page executive summary that includes a company description, sustainability focus, market opportunity and details about the business formation, competition, sales strategy and financials by the May 1 deadline. For specific information and to submit your application online, please visit www.sustainablelifemedia.com/events/sb10/innovation-open

Sustainable Life Media now offers companies and individuals the option of year-long Corporate or Professional memberships to maximize the value they receive from participating at in-person events and provide them access to a growing online archive of sustainable business education. For more information on memberships that include seats at SB'10, visit http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/membership.

About Sustainable Brands Conference

Widely reputed to be the most compelling sustainability conference of the year, Sustainable Brands 2010 will convene over 700 brand leaders, top executives from the global brands leading sustainable innovation today, all types of designers participating in this global shift, and an unprecedented list of others. Speakers and sessions will provide inspiration, techniques and best practices as economic realities, corporate responsibility and the environment come together to create a new strategic business imperative. Registration is now open and seating is limited: http://www.sustainablebrands10.com

About Sustainable Life Media

Sustainable Life Media (SLM) is the leading producer of sustainable business conferences and educational events, with products and services designed for the sustainable business community including membership, targeted e-newsletters, online learning programs, community, and the flagship Sustainable Brands conference.  SLM delivers top news stories related to the who, what and how of environmental and social innovation, and helps community members connect with thought leaders, peers, partners and solutions providers who can help them quickly reach their goals. For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/about. To subscribe to SLM Newsletters for free, please visit http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/newsletters.

SOURCE Sustainable Life Media