Rising Margins Empowers New Entrepreneurs in Disadvantaged Communities Worldwide
Launched at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley, Rising Margins will support new businesses and job creation for disadvantaged youth and women
As part of the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley, Affinis Labs, a Virginia-based social enterprise, announced today the launch of Rising Margins, a unique series of global hackathons and training sessions to support entrepreneurship and job creation among socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Affinis Labs is proud to be working with global private and public sector partners to broaden economic inclusivity by empowering communities as grassroots drivers — not simply beneficiaries — of economic growth.
With an emphasis on youth and women, Rising Margins organizes teams of young entrepreneurs, provides them with training and resources, and manages intense competitions to imagine new enterprises with potential to scale and create sustainable jobs. Winning teams receive seed funding, incubation in local incubators, and mentoring. An organic social media and public relations campaign follows the hackathon, attracting additional support, talent, media and funders.
Rising Margins will help:
- Create new businesses and employment opportunities;
- Empower individuals and groups that feel excluded from the mainstream economy;
- Address some of the social challenges that emerge from high levels of unemployment;
- Promote innovation and resilience; and
- Connect marginalized communities to global networks of programs, mentors, and support.
The first Rising Margins hackathon will be held in Jordan this summer, followed by additional events in other locations around the world. Sponsors and other stakeholders interested in being a part of future Rising Margins events can contact hello@risingmargins.com to see how they can get involved.
