We call them champions...   

The Lab has funded over 50 initiatives since its inception in 2003. Our Champions are people who have great ideas as well as the desire, energy and willingness to make it reality for Greater Cleveland. 

Newly funded ideas...

Congratulations to our most recently funded Champions! These individuals have the right amount of passion, knowlege, and risk taking ability to make change in our communities.


Champion: Vicky Poole

Awarded: $30,000

Mentor: Thomas Mulready

Initiative: Gardens Under Glass, to be located in the Galleria At Erieview, will be a sustainable urban Eco Village that will serve as a center for agricultural production, environmental education, and Green retail opportunities. By using a re-circulating greenhouse hydroponic system, fruits, vegetables, herbs, peppers, and flowers can be produced in this year-round controlled urban farm. Gardens Under Glass will serve as an urban agricultural center that will produce, inform, and educate the Cleveland community on the importance of growing and living “green".


Champion: Chris Clark

Awarded: $30,000

Mentors: Dr. Michael Schoop, Matt Embrescia, Wendell Turner

Initiative: Sunflower Solutions is a renewable energy company that was founded by a team of young entrepreneurs with the specific goal of providing the lowest cost source of electricity to developing nations.  Sunflower Solutions designs manual tracking solar arrays that can be placed in locations that are not located on an electrical grid in developing nations. This initiative provides low-cost, reliable, life-changing electricity with 40% more power than solar panels that are fixed on roofs or a pole. Through the development of a renewable energy company in Cleveland, a line of manual tracking solar systems will be manufactured locally and exported around the world.


Champion: Deby Cowdin

Awarded: $30,000

Mentors: Marsha Dobrzynski & Colleen Gilson

Initiative: 
From the Blue Bag (FBB) is a green business that transforms discarded glass items into food functional serving ware while promoting recycling. It has an innovative method for repurposing glass waste into useable products, while partnering with local bars and restaurants that recycle their glass products. FBB is already creating positive impact through its green focus by using glass waste to create repurposed and recycled products already being sold in 126 stores/retail sites in 23 states. 

Visit their website today: http://fromthebluebag.com/


Champion: Mike Dungan

Awarded: $30,000

Mentors: Colleen Gilson & Andres Gonzalez

Initiative:
BeeDance is an online experience that identifies, diverts and connects products and materials that are misclassified as waste to audiences who value these items.  The design and functionality of the BeeDance model of beneficial reuse is inspired by the behaviors and characteristics of nature’s most efficient organism, the honeybee.  BeeDance uses current and emerging affinity marketing, mapping, and social media technologies to encourage new material flow connections in the economy that will lead to a redesign of the waste stream.

For more information please visit: http://beedance.com

 
Champion: Stefanie Spear 

Awarded: $30,000

Mentor: Joy Roller 

Initiative: Expedite Renewable Energy (ERE) is your one-stop-shop to assess current electricity usage, strategize the best onsite renewable energy projects and implement your project from start to finish. Expedite Renewable Energy helps companies with the many steps associated with investing in on-site renewable energy projects including but not limited to determining what type of renewable energy project is best for your company, applying for grants to help fund your project, and negotiating your interconnection contract with your utility company.

For more information please visit: www.expediterenewableenergy.com