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SPOILER ALERT: They surpassed their goal

You can read more about last month’s trip to Africa, HERE.

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We love seeing technology being developed to improve the human condition.  How can one not appreciate all that 3D printers have in store for our world by seeing applications like the stent developed by these doctors (featured in the video above), which is helping a chronically ill child breathe?

Of course, the same day this video is promoted by TechCrunch, another device created by a 3D printer is also being widely covered only this one is not such a good thing for the 3D printer movement.  I suppose 3D printers are both socially innovative and  potentially dangerous to the public (albeit at an infinitely small probability).

Many advancements in social innovation involve technologies that were originally developed for strictly commercial applications.  Charles Hull, inventor of the modern day solid-state 3D Printer, wanted to make rapid prototyping available and affordable to inventors at any level and on any budget. This technology is sure to change the manufacturing landscape rapidly over the next 5 years by providing access to modeling and prototyping to- well anyone with $1300.  No longer will small startups have to invest $10′s or $100′s of thousands of dollars developing molds and prototypes of products.  Now that 3D Printers are widely available, the unimaginable possibilities are already turning into reality.  Some of these technologies will help people and the planet, many will help startup entrepreneurs realize their potential faster, and some of these technologies will enable bad actors to create harmful technologies just as fast.

Perhaps Mr. Hall knew that some of the inventors that will use his 3D Printer technology will develop products that improve the human condition (like the stent covered in this video) or help solve environmental problems, perhaps not.  Of course, I’m sure he never imagined that his product would one day be used to develop highly controversial weapons either.

We chose to focus our energies in making the world better and promoting people, organizations and ideas that do the same.  I am optimistic about the impact 3D printing will have in developing technologies for good and am eager to hear about positive examples like this breathing stent.   Let us know about any examples of technology or products for good and we’ll post them!

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We were pleased to attend the Dell Social Innovation Challenge 2013 and another Think Tank event yesterday.

Student teams from all over the world submitted their ideas on products or services that both impact people or the planet and have a sustainable business model.  Each team submitted their proposal through the Dell Social Innovation Challenge site that has an awesome set of crowdsourcing features.  Here’s a link to Solar Conduction Dryer’s submission.

Solar Conduction Dryer’s team took home $60,000 in funding from Dell!  The full list of winners can be found here as well.  We look forward to tracking their progress and are sure the strong team they have will be successful at helping farmers and sustaining their operations!

We left the set of events absolutely inspired and ready to get back to work creating our platform for sustainable social change.

About Dell Social Innovation Challenge

DSIC was launched in 2007 by the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, headed by Suzi Sosa and sponsored by Dell.

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming more and more popular within the business world, where many companies are rethinking their practices in order to benefit society and the environment, while simultaneously improving their bottom lines. The infographic “Social Work: Planting Corporate Seeds for Social Good” explores this trend that is not only transforming business, but changing the world.

Companies investing in CSR projects might consider efforts related to public safety, community development, sustainability, education, public health, the environment or diversity. Within these spheres, there are a variety of different programs that businesses can develop. One option is to collect donations on behalf of already established nonprofits; via this route, a company could match donations made by their clients or customers.

Alternatively, some businesses choose to donate a portion of their profits or a portion of the profits from a particular product to a related charity. Starbucks, for example, donates 5 cents to the Ethos Water Fund every time someone purchases a bottle of Ethos Water at one of their locations. Other companies, such as TOMS shoes, match donations in a different way. For every shoe purchased, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in a developing country.

Yet another option is creating mini grants for sustainability projects and nonprofit organizations. Pepsi created such a program that provided over $20 million in grants, which customers could then allocate by voting on different projects to receive funding.

There are many ways for companies to get involved in CSR programs. The trend of using businesses to fund and support nonprofits and charitable organizations is growing and customers often react very positively to these kinds of efforts. Combining CSR programs with a highly visible marketing campaign can provide positive results for both businesses and for society.

Brought to you by USC’s Social Work In Business Program

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From TED.com:

Sir Ken Robinson outlines 3 principles crucial for the human mind to flourish — and how current education culture works against them. In a funny, stirring talk he tells us how to get out of the educational “death valley” we now face, and how to nurture our youngest generations with a climate of possibility.

Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we’re educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.

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