Empowering Entrepreneurs to Start Eco-friendly Businesses

BEIJING (June 21, 2009) – For the past four months, Global Environmental Institute (GEI)’s and Asia Foundation’s Eco-Entrepreneurship Training project has given entrepreneurs a systematic introduction to China’s environmental challenges and market-based solutions to those challenges. The project ended today with a closing ceremony and workshop attended by many of the 25 of the participating trainees.

With an aim to support entrepreneurs developing innovative and environmentally and socially responsible businesses, The Eco-Entrepreneurship Training Project began in March 2009, included five modules and invited many expert guest speakers from universities, businesses and government departments.

With universally applicable lessons and a variety of speakers, the curriculum suited both the participants considering new projects and those already engaged in green businesses. GEI and Asia Foundation aimed to create a platform for students to form creative teams and obtain start-up resources in order to realize their entrepreneurial visions, as well as design lasting business solutions to address China’s environmental challenges

Mr. Zhao, Environmental Program Officer at The Asia Foundation, noted:

“In the long run, a such project may spur the improvement of environmental policies.”

About the Final Training and Ceremony

In addition to graduating from the course, the trainees had the opportunity to learn from a final three experts and receive feedback on their improved, sustainable business plans. The presented plans included sustainable clothing, Visavis Image and Environmental Network, eco-cultivation, and Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).

One trainee excitedly said, “I fell in love with the environmental field after attending the project.”

“Why Choose Environmental Entrepreneurship” – final insight from three experts

Mr. Jia Feng, Deputy Director at the Environmental Education and Communications Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, spoke of how his experiences with the Business, Environment, Learning and Leadership in China project had led him to get involved with environmental entrepreneurship.

Mr. Yang Dongning, an associate professor at the Guanghua School of Management of Peking University, stated that “the best opportunity to carry out environmental work is at present” from many different angles such as society, government and market.

Mr. Fu Ning, General Manager of Beijing Silu Innovation Technology Co., Ltd, shared his stories of starting the business and encouraged the trainees to “first, be perseverant; second, learn knowledge from a wide range of sources.”

Training participants with their special certificates of completion – GEI 2009

After the speeches and receiving feedback, the trainees were each given a Certificate of Course Completion. Several other special awards were given including, three “Excellent Trainees,” “Best Service Award” and three “Best Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards,” which included a special RMB3,000 (USD441) funding to launch the business.

A Quick Look Back

First Module: “Business Opportunities in the Energy and Climate Change Domain”

Expert Speakers & Topics:

• Mme Jin Jiaman, Global Environmental Institute, importance of environmental consciousness in business and introduction to GEI’s related work;
• Mr. Zhao Lijian, the Asian Foundation’s Environment Program Manager, how eco-businesses are good for the environment and very profitable;
• Ms. Wang Yanjia, a professor at Tsinghua University;
• Mr. Jiang Yuanfu, Deputy Secretary General of the China Energy Conservation Association’s ESCO Committee;
• Mr. Jiang Dewei, Chairman and President of Sinowyde Energy Technologies Corporation;
• Mr. Chen Shiping, Consultant in Transition Energy;
• Mr. Guo Benchi, GEI’s Energy and Climate Change Program Officer.

Second Module: “Business Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture”

Expert Speakers & Topics:

• Ms. Pan Wenjing, Greenpeace China agriculture, macro-analysis of pollution in Chinese agriculture;
• Mr. Zhao Lijian, the Asia Foundation’s Environment Program Manager, summary of business opportunities in agriculture;
• Mr. Wu Zhaoliu, General Manager of Beijing Fei Nie Er Co., Ltd, challenges in biogas’ commercialization;
• Mr. Zhang Jianwei and Ms. Xing Jianping, vice president and CEO of Beijing Organic and Beyond Corp., market prospects and business operation modules of organic food;
• Ms. Zhang Jiao, one of the EET project trainees, protecting forests in the rural areas of the Beijing municipality.

Full list of invited experts: Jiang Yuanfu, Deputy Secretary General of the China Energy Conservation Association’s ESCO Committee; Jiang Dewei, Chairman and President of Sinowyde Energy Technologies Corporation; Zhang Jianwei, vice president of Beijing Organic and Beyond Corp.; Ma Jun, Director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs; Liang Hui, Vice General Manager of Beijing OriginWater Technology Co., Ltd.; Wu Yong, General Manager of Giant Hemu Technology Co., Ltd.; Zhu Yan, Principal of Tsing Capital, etc.