This link has been bookmarked by 1 people . It was first bookmarked on 10 Oct 2007, by dvermeer.
From Worm Poop to Wal-Mart
<!-- ***** --><!-- Deck --><!-- ***** -->Investors seek alternative investments addressing social & environmental issues
<!-- ***** --><!-- Photo --><!-- ***** --><!-- **************** --><!-- Press Release --><!-- **************** -->(CSRwire) October 9, 2007 - In 2001, Tom Szaky had a crazy idea to turn worm poop into plant food and package it in used soda bottles. And it worked. 6 years later, TerraCycle employs over 30 workers in their 20,000 square foot Trenton, NJ plant and they have a 2007 sales goal of well over $5 million. This year they are selling 9 products in many major, nationwide retailers, including Target, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Whole Foods and others. Tom and TerraCycle have been featured everywhere from the Evening News with Dan Rather to the cover of Inc. Magazine.
TerraCycle got to this point with well over $4 million in angel investments and some of that investment came from a group called Investors' Circle, a nationwide network of investors who use private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable economy. TerraCycle's CEO, Tom Szaky said, "I owe endless gratitude to Investor's Circle. Without their programs and investors my young company may not have survived. They are probably the only investor group that focuses entirely on environmental and socially beneficial companies. They realize that there is much more to a company then a bottom line and a profit margin."
Investors' Circle hosts two venture fairs a year where companies like TerraCycle, who address a social or environmental issue, present to over 150 investors who are looking for socially responsible investments. Over the past 15 years, Investors' Circle members have invested over $112 million in 183 deals.
Would you like to comment?
Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.