Is this Unreasonable?

Two weeks ago I met Nikhil Dandavati (an incredible social entrepreneur!) at the Denver Linchpin Meetup. Here, he told me about a project he was working on called the Unreasonable Institute . I haven't stopped thinking about it since that night, and am addicted to the Unreasonable TV episodes. So, I am compelled to pass this along.

Twenty-two Social Entrepreneurs from around the globe are gathered in the start-up rich valley of Boulder, CO for 10 weeks this summer to be mentored, stretched, encouraged, and to collaborate on ideas that will impact the world in the coming years. This social venture incubator has attracted mentors and guides from a variety of organizations including Gregory Miller, former Managing Director at Google.org, Coca-Cola, Foundry Group , and a slew of other venture capital firms.

This Unreasonable Institute is the culmination of the hard work put in by 6 recent CU Grads who have not been deterred by the faltering economy. They are an inspiration to all of us who have dreams of changing the world. In a short 12 months they have put together an incredible pool of individuals, both innovative social entrepreneurs AND folks who can provide the direction and capital to ensure success.

My favorite venture is Kito International which, in the words of Kito's founder Maria Springer of L.A.,

"partners with street youth to harness their entrepreneurial spirit, providing the training and tools they need to launch their own microenterprise, become self-sufficient and move off the streets forever."

Thank you to the six founders of the Unreasonable Institute for your work to inspire and encourage not only the 22 social entrepreneurs that are a part of the inaugural Unreasonable Global Summit, but myself and the many others who dream to impact the world in these ways.

"The reasonable man adapts himself to his environment.
The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt his environment to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man [and woman]."
- George Bernard Shaw

***Updates*** Other articles or blogs written about Unreasonable Institute
WhatGives365 (365 days of giving supports UI this month)
inc. Magazine What Happens When 25 Unreasonable Fellows Get Together?
Entrepreneur The Unreasonable Institute