PERNOD RICARD NEW YORK, May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, Eva Longoria, has been announced as a judge for The Venture - Chivas Regal's search to find and support the most innovative startups from across the world.
Eva Longoria will join a panel of expert judges tasked with dividing a portion of Chivas' $1 million fund amongst The Venture finalists; inspirational social entrepreneurs who aim to succeed in business while having a positive impact on the lives of others. Following the continued success of The Eva Longoria Foundation, which helps Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship, Longoria has a wealth of invaluable expertise and advice to offer Chivas' The Venture finalists.
Now in its second year, Chivas' The Venture has received over 2,500 applications from scalable and sustainable startups across six continents tackling a range of social and environmental issues. One finalist will represent each of the 27 participating countries in New York in July. Following a series of quarter and semi-final pitches, the grand finalists will have just five minutes to impress Longoria and the other judges with their pitch in front of a live audience at the Chivas' The Venture Final on July 14(th) (full list of finalists below).
"I'm delighted to be part of the judging panel for Chivas' The Venture and can't wait to hear the unique stories behind the 27 startups from across the world," said Eva Longoria. "Social enterprise has such a huge part to play in the future of business and it is something that is very close to my heart. Best of luck to all the finalists!"
Longoria will bring her long-standing passion for entrepreneurship, mentorship and equal opportunities to the panel of judges, which includes Joe Huff (Founder of LSTN Sound Co.), Sonal Shah (founding Executive Director of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation) and Alexandre Ricard (Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO).
Joe Huff has been invited to join this year's judging panel due to his knowledge and experience in founding successful social enterprise LSTN Sound Co. LSTN Sound Co. is an impact-focused company whose core belief is 'what's good for the business should be good for the world'. Its goal is to produce premium audio products and uses proceeds from sales to change lives through the power of music. Every purchase helps provide hearing aids to a person in need through charity partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation. In less than three years since LSTN Sound Co's inception in 2012, the company has been able to help give the gift of sound to over 20,000 people.
"Social enterprise is something I have been involved with for many years, I'm hugely passionate about using business as a force for good and believe it is becoming increasingly important in today's world," said Joe Huff. "The range of social entrepreneurs at this year's Chivas The Venture Final is really exciting to see - I can't wait to meet them in New York and find out more about the businesses."
From today, Chivas has put the power in the world's hands; inviting the public to vote for their favorite social entrepreneur to determine how the first $250,000 in funding is split. From May 9(th) to June 13(th) people can vote for finalists at www.TheVenture.com. The range of social entrepreneurs is extraordinary, from Julia Römer, the founder of Coolar (Germany), who has developed innovative refrigerators powered by warm water that enable doctors to preserve lifesaving vaccines in off-grid regions; to Jaco Gerrits, the founder of CrashDetech (South Africa) who has created a smartphone app that automatically detects serious car crashes, pinpoints the location, and dispatches the nearest ambulance, supplying paramedics with real-time lifesaving information.
"We're really excited to be announcing Eva Longoria as a judge for Chivas' The Venture," said Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director. "She has a clear passion for entrepreneurialism and the importance of business having a positive impact on our society. Along with Joe Huff, Sonal Shah and Alexandre Ricard, we feel we have the perfect balance of expert judges to evaluate the finalists of this year's competition. We look forward to seeing how people vote online over the next few weeks and which enterprises capture the imagination of the public."
To find out more about the judges and to vote for your favorite finalists, visit www.TheVenture.com.
The Finalists
MARKET BUSINESS FINALIST NAME ROLE SHORT DESCRIPTION
------ -------- ------------- ---- -----------------
Habitec use eucalyptus trees to
produce high-quality desks, chairs
and other wooden fittings for
Angola's expanding school system. It
includes local communities in the
replantation of new trees, and 20
percent of its workforce are former
soldiers with disabilities, while
many of its staff are employed for
Angola Habitec Felisberto Capamba Co-Founder the first time in their lives.
------ ------- ------------------ ---------- -------------------------------------
Incluyeme is the first job portal in
Latin America that helps people with
disabilities find employment. The
platform simplifies the way a company
engages with the thousands of people
with disabilities looking to find a
job, ensuring the best talent gets
Argentina Incluyeme Natalia Ca Co-Founder found.
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- -------------------------------------
Pollinate Energy provides urban slum
dwellers -currently dependent on
kerosene for lighting -with access
to affordable clean energy solutions.
It does this using 'Pollinators';
local entrepreneurs who are trained
to sell and service solar lights in
Australia Pollinate Energy Emma Colenbrander Co-Founder urban slum communities.
--------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------- -------------------------------------
Epitrack identifies the risk of an
epidemic or disease in a certain area
through crowdsourcing platforms where
users describe their symptoms. Based
on its data, it provides emergency
services with the necessary
information much faster, decreasing
Brazil Epitrack Onicio Leal Founder the likelihood of an outbreak.
------ -------- ----------- ------- --------------------------------------
Bee Smart Technologies uses sensor
technology and bio-based algorithms
to analyse and present beekeepers
with data about the health and
productivity of their bees. It helps
beekeepers cut down on operating
costs and prevent devastating losses
Bulgaria Bee Smart Sergey Petrov Co-Founder of bees.
-------- --------- ------------- ---------- -------------------------------------
Diagnochip offers fast and low-cost
diagnostic devices for developing
countries. Using micro-fluidic
technology, one of its devices
functions as an antibiotic
susceptibility test that will
accurately analyse urine and blood
samples to determine what antibiotics
are required to treat urinary tract
Chile Diagnochip Mario Soto Co-Founder infections.
----- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------------------------------
MotionECO presents a systemic solution
to turn waste cooking oil into
biodiesel for transportation sectors.
Its solution simultaneously tackles
the challenges of food safety, waste
cooking oil and pollution across the
China MotionECO Shutong Liu Founder air, road and marine sectors.
----- --------- ----------- ------- --------------------------------------
Conceptos Plasticos transforms plastic
waste that is difficult to dispose
of, into construction material for
permanent housing, temporary shelters
and movable structures. It prevents
plastic pollution and creates much
needed building materials for
communities to establish a physical
Colombia Conceptos Plasticos Oscar Andres Mendez Founder infrastructure.
-------- ------------------- ------------------- ------- --------------------------------------
ECO Mensajeria is an environmentally
friendly courier service, promoting
sustainable solutions for the rapid
dispatch market, by using zero and
ultra-low emission vehicles and a
Carbon Balanced service. It tackles
two of the main causes of climate
change: energy usage and pollution
Dom.Republic ECO Mensajeria Edison Santos Founder & CEO from transportation.
------------ -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------------------------------
Sentab is a social network for older
adults (65+) which runs on their TV.
By turning a regular television set
into an interactive device that can
be used to make voice and video calls
to other enabled televisions,
computers or smartphones, families
can share and connect with older
Estonia Sentab Tarmo Pihl CEO relatives through our platform.
------- ------ ---------- --- -------------------------------------
Coolar develops refrigerators that are
powered by warm water, generated
through solar heat. Coolar's
innovative cooling system enables
doctors to preserve lifesaving
vaccines and medicine in off-grid
Germany Coolar Julia Römer Inventor regions.
------- ------ ----------- -------- --------------------------------------
Wakami designs and sells handmade
fashion accessories produced in 16
rural Guatemalan communities. It
incubates businesses that generate
income for some of the poorest women
in rural Guatemala. Wakami gives
business leaders training and tools
to improve the nutrition, education
Guatemala Wakami Maria Pacheco Founder and health of their families.
--------- ------ ------------- ------- -------------------------------------
Taka Solutions helps building owners
and operators reduce energy and
utility costs. It installs custom
engineering solutions, equipment, and
technology in existing buildings to
Gulf Taka Solutions Charles Blaschke save energy and money.
---- -------------- ---------------- -------------------------------------
JOBDOH is a smart hiring platform to
help temporary workers find jobs
anytime, anywhere. Employers benefit
from the speed and ability to hire
the right people and workers benefit
from the flexibility to earn an
income and an improved track record
of employment, which is showcased
Hong Kong JOBDOH Xania Wong CEO directly in the app.
--------- ------ ---------- --- -------------------------------------
EyeControl is an affordable, intuitive
mobile communication device for
"locked-in" patients and medical
centres. EyeControl translates eye
movements into verbal communication,
allowing paralysed patients to
Israel EyeControl Or Retzkin communicate with their loved ones.
------ ---------- ---------- --------------------------------------
MOLCURE aims to cure the incurable by
discovering drugs for diseases with
no effective treatment. Abtracer, its
drug discovery platform, can identify
antibody candidates 10 times faster
Japan MOLCURE Ryu Ogawa CEO than current systems.
----- ------- --------- --- --------------------------------------
Optic Group ICH manufactures eyeglass
frames from recycled plastic bottles.
By using PET from plastic it makes
affordable but durable frames. Optic
Group ICH's goal is to enable people
all around the world to see more
clearly and help the environment by
Mexico Optic Group ICH Roberto Alvarado Co-Founder recycling rubbish.
------ --------------- ---------------- ---------- --------------------------------------
Fresh Direct is an agricultural
production and processing company
that brings together communities and
advanced technology to provide
organic fruits, vegetables and meats
and processed end products. Fresh
Direct manufacture, install and
market customised hydroponic systems,
greenhouses and container farms to
help smaller farmers be more
Nigeria Fresh Direct Angel Adelaja Founder & CEO sustainable and more effective.
------- ------------ ------------- ------------- -------------------------------------
PowerMundo helps improve people's
lives by providing access to clean
energy. It offers business training,
digital pay as-you-go financing and
a suite of solar products to help
local business owners and sales
agents earn money. It helps off-grid
families save money, improve their
Peru PowerMundo Paul Winkel General Manager health - and the environment.
---- ---------- ----------- --------------- -------------------------------------
Co-Founder & Global Migam supports communication between
Manager the deaf and those that can hear,
using video translation via a web
browser and mobile app. Thanks to its
service, deaf people are able to
communicate, meaning they are able to
do things that many of us take for
Poland Migam Agnieszka Osytek granted.
------ ----- ---------------- -------------------- -------------------------------------
ColorADD has created a universal code
made up of simple symbols for primary
colours that are then combined to
create secondary and tertiary
colours, enabling correct colour
identification for all. It ensures
independence, self-esteem and
dignity for those who are colour
Portugal ColorADD Miguel Neiva Founder blind.
-------- -------- ------------ ------- --------------------------------------
SafeDrive is the mobile app that
rewards drivers for not texting while
driving. Drivers earn points that can
be converted into discount vouchers
or special offers from partner
companies. It incentivizes
responsible driving, ultimately
Romania SafeDrive Tudor Cobalas Co-Founder contributing to safer roads.
------- --------- ---------- --------------------------------------
CrashDetech is a smartphone
application that automatically
detects serious car crashes,
pinpoints the location, and
immediately dispatches the nearest
ambulance and supplies paramedics
South Africa CrashDetech Jaco Gerrits CEO with lifesaving information.
------------ ----------- ------------ --- -----------------------------------
Alzhup is a digital health platform
that offers scientifically validated
therapy for Alzheimer patients that
is fully customisable with the user's
personal memories. It promotes
participation between the family and
the patient by integrating
gamification techniques, that
increases the quality of life for
patients but also for caregivers and
Spain Alzhup Rafael Espinosa de los Monteros CEO & Co-Founder family.
----- ------ ------------------------------- ---------------- --------------------------------------
Local Alike is an online platform that
connects travellers to meaningful and
authentic experiences. It works with
locals to build their capacity in
community-based tourism, preserving
local culture and generating
Thailand Local Alike Somsak Boonkam Founder & CEO sustainable income for communities.
-------- ----------- -------------- ------------- --------------------------------------
WeFarm is a pioneering peer-to-peer
knowledge-sharing platform for the
500 million small-scale farmers
around the world with no access to
the internet. Farmers can access
vital information that can improve
UK WeFarm Kenny Ewan Founder & CEO their lives via SMS.
--- ------ ---------- ------------- ------------------------------------
Disease Diagnostic uses refrigerator
magnets and laser pointers to detect
multiple diseases with just a single
drop of blood. It offers a reusable
mechanical device that is 50 times
faster, a tenth of the cost, stand-
alone, and 100 times more likely to
detect asymptomatic infections than
USA Disease Diagnostic John Lewandowski CTO current diagnostic methods.
--- ------------------ ---------------- --- -------------------------------------
Please enjoy Chivas responsibly.
©2016 Imported by Chivas Bros. Import Co., Purchase, NY
About Pernod Ricard USA®
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs a workforce of nearly 19,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).
The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth(TM) Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión(TM) Tequila; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek®, Kenwood® Vineyards and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm(TM) Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.
About The Venture
The Venture is Chivas' global search to find and support the most promising aspiring social entrepreneurs who want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. With over $1 million in funding and resources, The Venture will enable social entrepreneurs from around the world realize their potential and gain exposure for their business.
About Win the Right Way
Win the Right Way aims to inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others and is the latest instalment of Chivas Regal's Live with Chivalry campaign, which launched in 2008.
About Live with Chivalry
Chivas' Live with Chivalry campaign launched in 2008 and has since inspired modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to succeed in the right way.
With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others.
About Chivas Regal
Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world's first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. In 2015, the iconic brand welcomed the pinnacle of the range with the introduction of the new ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon.
www.chivas.com
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