ALT EXAMPLE - ANNUAL REPORT - LARTA INSTITUTE - Flipbook - Página 25
COMPANY PROFILES
THE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR, THE LOCAL CROWD
Women-Owned Business
Industry: Information Technology
Technology: A business that brings
crowdfunding technology and education
to local, rural communities as an economic
development tool.
Larta Program: USDA-CAP1 2014-2015,
USDA-CATP 2015-2016
“We’ve come a long way in a short time. Working
with Larta was essential to our innovation’s success.”
DIANE WOLVERTON, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, LOCAL CROWD
At Larta, our work has impact. We guide and
nurture innovations that feed, fuel and heal
the world. Their ultimate test is their adoption
in use. These science-based solutions resolve
issues and concerns felt by communities and
society at large.
In the following pages, we profile companies in our portfolio whose success
demonstrates our influence and their impact on society. They run the gamut
of real-world solutions, using the tools of science and technology: diagnosing
citrus greening, promoting cancer cell death, transforming CO2 into valuable
products, retarding the spread of rodents, and empowering rural communities
through crowdfunding. They do us proud.
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COMPANY PROFILES
396
INDIVIDUAL TECHNOLOGIES
THAT FEED, FUEL AND HEAL
THE WORLD
“DOING WELL FOR US MEANS
DOING GOOD. IT IS AT THE
HEART OF WHAT WE SEEK INNOVATIONS THAT MAKE LIVES
HEALTHIER AND BRIGHTER.”
ROHIT SHUKLA
FOUNDER AND CEO LARTA INSTITUTE
Q+A:
Diane Wolverton
CEO, The Local Crowd
What is your company’s technology?
The Local Crowd connects local businesses to a new kind of financing tool that
provides rewards for donors or investors, and much-needed capital for expansion
in rural communities. Our full-service package includes locally-based crowdfunding
software, consultation, and instruction—including webinars, seminars, workshops,
retreats, and classes.
What sets your company apart from the competition?
The rural small business market is typically underbanked and underfinanced.
The Local Crowd’s crowdfunding incubator fills the gap for local and rural needs
and galvanizes local investment. Our model combines the power of internet crowdfunding with a strong educational focus, enabling rural entrepreneurs and investors
to use the internet to raise money and make investments in local companies.
What was Larta’s impact on your company?
Working with our Larta advisor, Keith Harrington, helped our company to focus
on the big picture, on strategy, on our pricing and distribution model. We worked
through every little step and action item needed to meet our goals. Collaborating
with Larta gave us an opportunity to test out our innovation and turn it into a worthy
business model that services 10 rural communities today.
10
RURAL COMMUNITIES TARGETED
AS CROWDFUNDING DEMONSTRATION SITES
10
MORE COMMUNITIES ADDED
IN NINE STATES
PARTNERSHIP FORMED
WITH COMMUNITY FUNDED
$72,055
RAISED BY LOCAL CROWD’S
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS
“KIM AND DIANE WORKED HARD
TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE
LOCAL CROWD. THEY LISTENED
WHEN I HAD SUGGESTIONS
AND IDEAS, PUSHED BACK
WHEN THEY THOUGHT I WAS
WRONG, AND ADJUSTED
THEIR COURSE AS THEY WENT
ALONG. THEY HAVE A TRUE
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.”
KEITH HARRINGTON
LARTA INSTITUTE PRINCIPAL ADVISOR
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