If we have gleaned anything from recent market disruptions, it is that our accepted modes of business and metrics of success have soured. From Wall St. to Main St., Capitol Hill to Chapel Hill, classic frameworks are breaking down and business as usual is no longer good enough. It’s 2009, it’s a new economy, and it is time for a new way of investing. Welcome to SVCIC!

Each Spring, teams of the nation’s brightest and most innovative MBAs gather in Chapel Hill to test their ability to "save the world," one investment at a time. In a year of turmoil and change, the 2009 competition proved no different. Not only did the competition present a strikingly realistic opportunity for students to engage in the VC experience, the competition also pushed MBA teams, as well as professional VC judges, to think deeply about the inherent role of VC to drive innovation and the role that Sustainable Ventures have to play as we fix our economy.

From the onset, it was evident that things were going to be a little different this year. Using the 1965 Oscar-winning animated short-film, The Dot and the Line, an economic comparison was drawn between the squiggle (pure-play sustainable companies) and the line (business as usual). The Moral of the Story: Learning to bend and remaining flexible can be very profitable. The entrepreneurs that SVCIC highlights illustrate New Market Sustainable Ventures that can “bend” to solve more than one problem at a time. But view the film (embedded below) and decide for yourself whether the line should bend, or the squiggle should straighten up!

Whether you will only work for a sustainable venture with a positive impact mission, you are willing to make change from within a conventional company, or you are a VC that invests in marginally sustainable companies with the intention to pushing them closer to sustainability, your interest were represented at SVCIC 2009. Whether you were a VC Judge, an Entrepreneur, or an MBA participant, there was something for everyone as evidenced by an even selection of entrepreneurs from the MBA investors; all four entrepreneurs received investments.

In all, 2009 SVCIC was a rousing success! “It's astounding to see the high calibre talent of the teams!” says Jonathan Philips of Anka Funds. Terri Spath of RSF Social Finance agrees: “Everything went very smoothly, the teams were outstanding, and the companies interesting.” This event is truly setting a standard for innovation-focused thinking on sustainability. It is this type of thinking that will lead us as we evolve from the old ways of doing business into a new economy, and Kenan-Flagler is happy play a part.

This year’s winners were:

• Stern - $1500 First Place Winner:
• Wharton - $1000 Second Place Winner: 
• Fuqua - $500 Entrepreneur’s Choice:

Enjoy the video...