Future 100 Award Winners

We’re really excited to announce that we’ve been included in the Future 100 list of Young Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2011! Info below:

Alice Vaughan and Harry Owen-Jones, founders and Directors of Specs Gallery CIC are announced as two of the Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneurs of the Year on Social Enterprise Day during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people, with millions unleashing their enterprising talents and turning their ideas into reality. It began as Enterprise Week in the UK back in 2004. When news of the phenomenal success of Enterprise Week in the UK spread the globe, lots of other countries got excited about the potential of running similar initiatives in their own countries. Since its inception, Global Entrepreneurship Week has spread to 115 countries, with nearly 24,000 organisations planning more than 37,000 activities.

The Future 100 Awards were first launched in 2008 to recognise and profile young entrepreneurs running businesses, which have a triple bottom line. The definition of a triple bottom line, is a business that addresses people, planet and profit. They have a strong commercial foundation as well as a significant social and environmental impact. The Future 100 Awards recognises the success of young entrepreneurs aged 18-35 who demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture.

Specs Gallery is a Community Interest Company, whose aim is to showcase the work of emerging visual artists within the London area. Specs operates a ‘pop-up’ gallery model, meaning their only permanent gallery space is online. Using empty properties around the city to exhibit their shows,provides not only a flexible and unique gallery environment, but also contributes to the regeneration of the city at a time when more properties are empty than ever before.

Founder of Striding Out and organiser of the Future100 awards, Heather Wilkinson says:

“The future of our world is in the hands of individuals who are committed to generating commercial and ethical returns. Challenging economic times can offer opportunities to question the way we operate as both a business community and a society. We have a history of  profiling the ‘Future 100’ young entrepreneurs who are changing the face of everyday business and improving commerce’s impact on the wider world.”

The Future 100 awards encourages and rewards extraordinary vision, ethical business practice and social responsibility. They aim to showcase businesses that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to social problems. The Future 100 Awards is organized by Striding Out www.stridingout.co.uk, a social enterprise which is committed to supporting the development and growth of young and ethical entrepreneurs.

Further Information:

An Awards Celebration is taking place on Social Enterprise Day – 17^th November during Global Entrepreneurship Week in London. Press are invited to attend to interview winners.  For further information, please contact Heather Wilkinson, Director of Striding Out on 07795 646 646 or email heather@stridingout.co.uk

Future 100 – www.future100.co.uk – A full list of award winners can be found on the website from  17^th November 2011.

Global Entrepreneurship Week – http://www.gew.org.uk/home