InVenture Fund inPilot Launch – Insider View

By Sheena Ruffin April 7, 2010 0 Comments

It was 5pm on a spring like Thursday evening and the InVenture team was scurrying about the venue. Stuffing informational leaflets in here. Making sure the food was warmed over there. Pinning and tucking and nipping away, we were on a mission â€“ to prepare Arlo & Esme located at East 1st and Houston, our generously provided event space, for our InVenture inPilot Launch Party! Multiple rooms served our purposes of educating the partygoers and displaying our educational videos that debuted at the event. The team at Arlo was more than accommodating and made our lives much easier. Of all the venues we looked at, they were the only providers to waive the rental fee and required a modest bar minimum.

It was quite the team effort, but all the hard work and dedication that went into the event was more than worth it! The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of our organization, InVenture Fund, a micro venture capital fund that empowers entrepreneurs around the world to lift their communities out of poverty. We provide a much needed alternative to traditional micro finance by staying heavily involved and vested in their success while also requiring that a portion of their profits be re-invested back to their community. Think of it as a “pay it forward” model where the impact is felt globally!

During the event, there were impassioned speeches from our founders and advisors and even handmade textiles for sale from one our partner programs, Project Muso. The more than 100 people in attendance were mingling and learning, asking questions and debating. The energy of the room was definitely palpable as everyone was there to support our cause. It felt great to see old friends out and about and to meet new ones as business cards were exchanged and connections were made.

Towards the end of the event, as things were winding down, I had some time to chat with my teammates, including our CEO, Shivani Siroya. We were commenting on our whirlwind night and how the outcome far surpassed our expectations. At that point, I think we both realized collectively that this was only the beginning. Oh, what a story this is shaping up to be!

To learn more about Inventure Fund, visit us at: www.inventurefund.org
To get up to date news on all things Inventure, follow us on Twitter @inventurefund