Program Designed to Help Entrepreneurs from Under-served Communities Adopt Sustainability and Triple Bottom Line Practices

Denver, CO--November 03, 2009--The Progress Group, a Denver based consulting firm, announces the launch of The Greater Good Program, a comprehensive business development initiative designed to bring triple-bottom-line thinking to entrepreneurial businesses from under-served communities throughout the Front Range. To celebrate the launch, leaders and entrepreneurs from the community will gather for a half-day kick-off event on November 12, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mi Casa Resource Center at 360 Acoma Street, Denver CO 80223.

The goal of The Greater Good Program is to provide civic minded businesses from under-served communities, (low and moderate-income people, minorities, veterans, youth, elderly and disabled) who lack capital and information with the training and financial support necessary to scale up their innovative ventures. The Program includes:
• Greater Good Pipeline - a network of non-profit business development and educational institutions along the Front Range that will help identify and attract civic-minded businesses into the program. Partners include: Mi Casa Resource Center, Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute, Green Jobs for Veterans, Denver Venture School, Small Business Development Center, Metro State and the Mile High Business Alliance.

• Greater Good Academy - a training program for entrepreneurs interested in incorporating triple-bottom-line principles into their business operations.
• Greater Good Mentors - a network of successful civic minded entrepreneurs and business leaders that will coach program participants.
• The Greater Good Enterprise Fund - an investors' pool that will offer $15,000-$50,000 business loans to qualified entrepreneurs. The Fund will be managed by the Colorado Enterprise Fund.
• The Greater Good Showcase - a quarterly event connecting emerging social entrepreneurs with potential investors, foundations, business and public officials.
• The Greater Good Challenge - a business plan competition for emerging triple-bottom-line businesses, with awards including start-up funding and office space.

"Successful small businesses are essential to a vibrant economy," said Richard Eidlin, Founder and CEO of The Progress Group. "Businesses that incorporate sustainability practices into their operations bring additional value to Colorado. We encourage business, government and academia to participate in our commitment to increase self-sufficiency and local economic development. In the process, our communities, will be strengthened, poverty reduced and new jobs created."

The Greater Good Program will be launched with an intensive half-day session of speakers on the subject of sustainable business practices from leaders and entrepreneurs from the community, including:

-Cec Ortiz, City of Denver, Office of Economic Development
-Tracey Stewart, Colorado Law & Policy Center
-Beth Parish, Regis University
-Kevin Johansen, The Business Catapult
-Richard Eidlin, The Progress Group
-Christine Marquez Hudson
-Ceyl Prinster, Colorado Enterprise Fund
-And, presentations from aspiring Triple Bottom Line businesses

The event will be held on November 12, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mi Casa Resource Center at 360 Acoma Street, Denver CO 80223. The cost for participating in the Greater Good launch program is $65.00 for private companies and $50.00 for non-profit/student/government. Scholarships and reduced registration rates are available for low-income businesses. Media are invited at no charge. For more information and to register, go to http://www.proggroup.com/greater-good-project.html.

About The Progress Group
Founded in 2009, The Progress Group provides strategic planning, business and policy development that support clean energy, social justice and sustainability issues. The company focuses on mobilizing triple bottom line companies to engage in the policy process - at the federal, state and local level - around these issues. For more information, please visit: http://www.proggroup.com.

Richard Eidlin
Founder and CEO
303-478-0131
Richard@proggroup.com