Twelve finalists compete for $20k prize

Photo: Contributed

Up for grabs, over $20,000 in prize money and services  to help the winners achieve their social goals.

From a 10-year-old boy whose trading cards have been featured on Dragons’ Den to an Internet start-up preventing bullying; ChangeUP’s Top 12 finalists who will be pitching their ideas for making positive change in our communities Nov. 21.

The audience votes for the most inspiring and sustainable idea in four categories: For-Profit, Non-Profit, Established Registered Charity or Youth-Led Initiative. 

ChangeUP is an initiative of the Okanagan Changemakers, and is the first contest in the Okanagan to give socially-minded leaders the chance to pitch their great ideas and vision to create a stronger, healthier and more vibrant region.

The 12 finalists are: GreenStep Solutions Inc, Two Hat Security, ED-ucation Publishing, Olive Us Education Initiative Society, Central Okanagan Food Policy Council, Okanagan Car Share Co-op, Metro UP Financial Asset & Literacy Foundation, Inn From the Cold, John Howard Society of the Central and South Okanagan, Doogoods, What Makes Us Tic: A Tourette Syndrome Documentary and Eco Stars

They were selected by an impartial review committee with acumen towards leading social change. ChangeUP received more than 40 applications and the judges scored each application with a directive concerning social impact, sustainability and innovation in mind.

ChangeUP takes place Thursday Nov. 21, 5-9 p.m., at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

Audience tickets to attend are $45 each and can be purchased at: https://changeup2013.eventbrite.ca.

Partial event proceeds will support Okanagan Changemakers launch programming to strengthen non-profits and invest in collaborative solutions for all sectors to become more socially innovative.