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Perth’s social entrepreneurs will pitch their proposals for equity investment at a world-leading impact investing event hosted by The University of Western Australia’s Centre for Social Impact (UWA CSI).

Biotechnology, ethical fashion, early childhood development and renewable energy companies will be among those seeking impact investments from Mustard Seed at the UWA Business School event tonight.

The UWA Social Marketplace and Impact Investing Pitch Event follows successful Mustard Seed events at Oxford University, London Business School, and INSEAD. Mustard Seed is a global network of investors that look for, invest in, and incubate early-stage companies with the potential to generate significant positive social and environmental outcomes.

UWA’s expert judging panel will include Lisa Barrett from Mustard Seed, Brodie McCulloch (Managing Director of Spacecubed), Tracey Horton (President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA), Ben Lisle (Director and co-founder of Linc Property), and Geoff Pritchard (Innovation Bay and BRW Fast 100 finalist).

“This event is the first ever impact investing event in Perth involving social purpose businesses that are operating for profit while striving to make positive social change,” UWA CSI Director Professor Paul Flatau said.

“This new wave of impact investing brings together innovation, social purpose and scalability in a way we’ve not seen before. We are proud to be partnering with Mustard Seed to work with early-stage entrepreneurs looking for a better way of doing business in Australia.”

“These entrepreneurs are shining examples of the innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and drive for social change that we are now seeing in Western Australia.”

Mustard Seed partner Lisa Barrett said: “Mustard Seed was founded on, and UWA is actualising, the vision that profit and purpose can and should be interconnected and mutually reinforcing. We need a new way of doing business. Positive environmental and social outcomes are not just a good idea; they drive long-term value creation.”

The event will be MC’d by Business News CEO Charlie Gunningham.

UWA’s Mustard Seed event will take place at the UWA Business School on Thursday 14 May at 5.00pm . For more information or to register to attend the event, visit www.csi.edu.au/events/mustard-seed-pitch-event

Media references

Paul Flatau (UWA, Centre for Social Impact)                  (+61 8) 6488 1366
David Stacey (UWA Media)                                              (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716