CHICAGO’S GREEN INNOVATORS TO PITCH NEW PROJECTS AT CROWD-FUNDING EVENT

7th Annual BOOST Event Showcases Chicago’s Thriving Sustainability Movement

Chicago, IL (October 16, 2018) — The Delta Emerging Leaders (DELs), an associate board of the Delta Institute, today announced their finalists for the 7th annual Building Opportunities for Original and Sustainable Thinking (BOOST), a live, crowd-funded pitch fest to solve complex environmental challenges throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Entrepreneurs will pitch their green projects from 7-10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13th at Chop Shop in Wicker Park (2033 W North Ave).

The event, in its seventh year, allows community members to directly invest in inspiring environmental projects. Entrepreneurs will present their projects in front of a live audience who, through their ticket purchases, contribute to the available funding pool that will provide a $5,000 grant for the winner. The winning project will also receive a tailored package of in-kind resources in addition to the support of the BOOST community.

“The diversity and strength of this year’s applicant pool made choosing our finalists a challenge,” said Marguerite Huber, DELs co-chair. “In the end, we chose candidates working to solve local environmental issues in unique ways.”

This year’s BOOST finalists include:

BareItAll Petfoods – Eco-friendly pet products featuring invasive species as sources of healthy pet nutrition
Four Star Family Cyclery – Bikes for kids & cargo, families & businesses — all towards the future of smart and sustainable urban mobility
KitcheNet – Workspace fresh fruit delivery: building happier workplace and community wellness through local sourcing, job training, education and composting

“After seven years, BOOST has provided 12 local entrepreneurs with $45,000 in funding, access to pro bono professional services, and amazing BOOST supporters, which provide opportunities for innovation in solving environmental challenges,” said Bill Schleizer, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Institute. “Delta Institute is proud of our associate board, the Delta Emerging Leaders, who are helping create a thriving and more sustainable region.”

Tickets are on sale now for $35. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event page on the Delta Website and the DEL BOOST Facebook Page.

About the Delta Emerging Leaders:

The Delta Emerging Leaders is the associate board of Delta Institute that empowers young leaders to advance innovation and sustainability in Chicago.

About Delta Institute: Delta Institute is a nonprofit that envisions a region in which all communities and landscapes thrive through an integrated approach to environmental, economic, and social challenges. To accomplish this vision, we collaborate with communities to solve complex environmental challenges throughout the Midwest. Visit online at https://delta-institute.org.

Event Details:

November 13, 2018 7-10 p.m.

Chop Shop, 2033 W North Ave

Web Links:

Website: www.delta-institute.org/boost

Press Release: https://delta-institute.org/2018/10/chicagos-green-innovators-to-pitch-new-projects-at-crowd-funding-event-2/

Tickets: https://deltainstitute.salsalabs.org/2018boost/index.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Deltaemergingleaders/

Twitter: @deltaemleaders

BareItAll Petfoods: https://www.bareitallpetfoods.com

Four Star Family Cyclery: https://www.fourstarfamilycyclery.com

KitcheNet: https://kitchenet.org