SJF Invests in eRecyclingCorps
SJF announced that it has invested in eRecyclingCorps, a company that is transforming the wireless device ecosystem by working with tier-one wireless carriers to establish comprehensive large-scale consumer buyback programs. eRecyclingCorps enables carriers to buy back used handsets from consumers and ensure they are resold or responsibly recycled. The company was co-founded by CEO David Edmondson, previous CEO of RadioShack, and Chairman Ron LeMay, former President and COO of Sprint.
Read the Press Release here.
Case Studies on Two Recent Exits: Ryla and Salvage Direct
SJF has made available investment case studies on two recently exited companies, Ryla and Salvage Direct. Both companies produced strong financial results for SJF, generated rapid growth and built unique employee cultures that helped drive business results.
Ryla’s revenue climbed from less than $1.1 million in 2002 to over $100 million in 2009. The number of employees increased from 20 at the time of SJF’s investment to more than 3,500 today. Salvage Direct has emerged to be one of the largest sellers of salvage vehicles in the U.S pioneering the internet auction model. The company’s online auctions for cars, trucks, boats and other vehicles increased the utilization and efficiency of metals recycling and parts reuse for 49,000 salvage vehicles in 2009.
Ryla, Inc. Case Study Salvage Direct Case Study
SJF Summit on the New Green Economy – Early Bird Registration Open
for SJF’s second annual Summit on the New Green Economy: Accelerating Growth and Impact on September 14-15 in Durham , NC . Building on the success of last year’s summit, the event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, and community leaders to share inspiring successes & practical tools and explore strategic partnerships to build the green economy.
In addition to stellar keynotes, the SJF Summit will include a CEO panel featuring innovative fast growing green companies as well as breakout sessions covering the cleantech capital spectrum, winning workplace and green business strategies, cultivating green entrepreneurship and other exciting topics.
To learn more and register with the early bird pricing, visit www.sfsummit.org
SJF CleanLinks NYC, July 22, at PWC
SJF, in conjunction PWC, will host its next CleanLinks NYC event on Thursday, July 22 at the offices of PWC in mid-town Manhattan . The event will feature content on “Why Solar Works” and will include a group of panelists including, Dave Kirkpatrick with SJF, a utility representative, a solar project developer, and a policy expert/advocate.
The purpose of the event is to define and discuss how solar works from a financial, technological and political perspective. As with prior CleanLinks events, these programs typically bring together a group of 150 – 200 participants made up of entrepreneurs, investors, corporate representatives and other business leaders in the cleantech space. A cocktail networking reception will follow the panel discussion. Please see www.cleanlinks.org for more information and for future registration.
When: June 22, 6 – 8 pm
Where: PWC offices
300 Madison Ave (42nd and Madison )
SJF Portfolio Company News
Rustic Crust added two new members to its Board of Directors, Bob Sigel and Carter Elenz. Sigel is the former CEO of Millbrook Distribution Services, which he grew from a small regional distributor to one of the nation’s largest consumer products distribution / marketing / service businesses before selling it to United Natural Foods, Inc. Elenz is a Senior CPG Executive with an unparalleled record of successfully building three of the foremost Brands / Companies in the Natural-Organic-Green-Sustainable marketplace, including Seventh Generation, Stonyfield Farm and Gardenburger.
Rustic Crust is a rapidly growing brand of all-natural and organic pizza products, including the American Flatbread frozen pizza line.
Ryla was named fastest growing private company in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Ryla has produced five-fold increase in revenue since 2007. Read news story.
SJF Team Members On the Move
In May, Dave Kirkpatrick travelled to Europe to represent SJF in the TBLI Investor Salons in Munich , Geneva and Amsterdam . On May 27, Cody Nystrom spoke on a Getting Ready for Capital Panel hosted by BASE (Business Accelerator for Sustainable Enterprise) at UNC’s Kenan-Flager Business Schoool. Nystrom also spoke at an American Power Act Forum in Durham on June 15 discussing cleantech investment opportunities both in NC and nationally. In early June, Kirkpatrick, David Griest, Arrun Kapoor and Alan Kelley participated in the domestic tour of the Five Funds Forum in Boston , NYC and San Francisco where SJF met with US investors interested in cleantech and sustainability. Bonny Moellenbrock travelled to Chicago in June to speak on a panel titled “Just for Nonprofits: Financing Business and Social Enterprise with PRIs” at the PRI Makers conference. Anne Claire Broughton spoke at the NC Economic Development Board meeting on May 14 discussing SJF and its innovative model. Erin Payne attended the Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference in Washington , DC on May 4-5 which focused on getting unemployed back to work and trained to build the new, clean energy economy.
On July 14, Arrun Kapoor will be speaking on a panel at the Spark to Market event hosted by the Pratt Center for Community Development. On July 21, SJF Advisory Services will join with the Council for Entrepreneurial Development and Bull City Forward in hosting Criterion Ventures’ Structure Lab for new ventures exploring structure options.
SJF Welcomes Summer Associates
SJF is pleased to welcome four new associates to the Ventures and Advisory Services teams for the summer. Joining the Ventures staff in the Durham office isAJ Dye, a UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA candidate, and Sanin Mody, a Columbia MBA candidate, in the NYC office. Dye and Mody will be supporting the Ventures team in various capacities, including deal triaging, industry prospecting, due diligence and portfolio management.
SJF Advisory Services welcomes Joel Thomas, a UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA candidate, as summer associate. Joel will be focusing on marketing strategies, the SJF Summit on the New Green Economy, and other green economy initiatives. SJF also welcomes back Christa Wagner, recent graduate from UNC Department of City and Regional Planning, for the summer to help with the upcoming report,Employees Matter: Maximizing Company Value Through Workforce Engagement.
Fuel Cell Collaborative Announces a $200,000 Clean Energy Business Plan Competition
The USC-Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative is excited to announce a new clean energy innovation competition. In an effort to continue South Carolina ‘s growing leadership in clean energy innovation and commercialization, the Collaborative is launching a nationwide business planning competition focused on identifying and commercializing innovative technologies in hydrogen and fuel cells.
Who is Eligible: The competition is open to all researchers, entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and research staff working to develop innovative hydrogen, fuel cell, and related technologies. Student teams in engineering, chemistry, advanced materials, and nanotechnology as well as cross functional proposals integrating technology, research, and business teams are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: Preliminary submissions are due by July 17th, 2010 for consideration. Please see http://www.fuelcellchallenge.com.