Based on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota (with a 72% unemployment rate, it is the third poorest county in the US), the company is on track to earn over $2 million in revenues in 2011. It is committed to providing employment for the reservation’s youth (local tribal members form 95% of its staff) and to the return of the buffalo to Native people.

The winners of SVN’s 2011 Innovation Awards are using groundbreaking approaches to drive sustainability and community development while creating employment opportunities for underserved communities. A panel of 19 judges chose winners based on their innovation, impact, and ability to scale.

To support their growing enterprises, Innovation Award winners will receive a free SVN membership, publicity, and partnership with SVN leaders who will serve as mentors.  Each of the following winners will be honored at SVN’s 2011 Fall Conference, to be held October 27-30 in Philadelphia, where they will present their pioneering work to an audience of over 250 socially responsible business CEOs, investors and social entrepreneurs.

See all the winners »