The Virginia-based non-profit organization RISE, which provides resources to entrepreneurs in the coastal resilience sector, has announced a partnership with the global venture accelerator firm, Brinc, for the RISE & Brinc Resilience Challenge 2021. The challenge is aimed at attracting businesses with innovative solutions for coastal resilience and securing follow-on private investment capital. Brinc, which has a commitment to supporting climate mitigation technologies, will use its outreach expertise to increase awareness about the challenge and attract companies to participate. The co-founder of Brinc, Bay McLaughlin, originally from Virginia Beach, will join the program as a mentor. Both RISE and Brinc are seeking startups and small to medium-sized businesses that can help Hampton Roads become more resilient to climate change.
Introduction
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Paul Robinson
RISE Executive Director
(757) 258-0500
paulrobinson@riseresilience.org
Partnership Announcement
NORFOLK, Virginia – February 3, 2021: RISE, a Virginia based, non-profit organization providing one-stop-shop resources to entrepreneurs in the coastal resilience sector, announced today a partnership with global venture accelerator firm, Brinc. By joining forces with Brinc for its 2021 Challenge, RISE hopes to attract even more businesses with innovative solutions and follow on private investment capital to the businesses in the RISE program. Brinc will be applying its outreach expertise to raise awareness and attract companies to the Challenge and one of their Co-Founders, Bay McLaughlin, originally from Virginia Beach, will join the program as a mentor.
RISE Challenge Details
Businesses can learn more and apply to the RISE Challenge powered by Brinc until March 15, 2021 here.
Impact and Goals
Since 2018, RISE has deployed more than $4 million in financial support and services to 27 businesses developing new, scalable solutions that help coastal communities adapt to flooding and sea level rise. Businesses must pilot their technologies in Hampton Roads, Virginia, where RISE provides a real-world testbed and growing community of resilience entrepreneurs. Through RISE’s Coastal Community Resilience competitions, and the establishment of its Resilience Innovation Hub, the region has become a living laboratory for companies, where the products and services needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change can be demonstrated locally and applied globally.
Brinc’s Commitment
Brinc currently owns and operates 12 investment and accelerator programs globally and has invested in 200 companies in 36 countries. Brinc strongly believes that entrepreneurship will be the driving force in solving most of humanity’s most pressing issues, has been an active investor in climate mitigation technologies, and is committing to go even further in the years to come.
Testimonials and Future Plans
Coinciding with its 6th birthday on Dec. 1, 2020, Brinc unveiled plans to invest in 1,000 climate-conscious startups over the next five years. The new commitment comes in recognition that Brinc and its global business partners need to do their part to slow down the effects of climate change. Brinc has been building international accelerators and early stage investment opportunities mainly in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Conclusion
RISE and Brinc are looking for startups and small to medium sized businesses that can help Hampton Roads become more resilient to climate change. They are also excited to talk to companies, investors and anyone interested in supporting technology entrepreneurship and climate change in our region.
About RISE
RISE accelerates innovation and business growth around solutions to coastal resilience challenges in the living laboratory of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Learn more at: https://riseresilience.org.
About Brinc
Brinc is a global venture capital and accelerator firm that empowers game changers to help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Learn more at: https://www.brinc.io.
Question & Answer
1. What is the RISE & Brinc Resilience Challenge 2021?
The RISE & Brinc Resilience Challenge 2021 is a partnership between RISE, a Virginia-based non-profit organization, and Brinc, a global venture accelerator firm, aimed at attracting businesses with innovative solutions for coastal resilience and securing follow-on private investment capital.
2. How can businesses participate in the RISE Challenge powered by Brinc?
Businesses can learn more and apply to the RISE Challenge powered by Brinc until March 15, 2021 by visiting the official website.
3. What is Brinc’s commitment to climate mitigation technologies?
Brinc has a commitment to supporting climate mitigation technologies and believes that entrepreneurship will be the driving force in solving most of humanity’s most pressing issues. They have invested in 200 companies in 36 countries and plan to invest in 1,000 climate-conscious startups over the next five years.
4. Who is Bay McLaughlin and what role will he play in the RISE & Brinc Resilience Challenge 2021?
Bay McLaughlin is one of the co-founders of Brinc and originally from Virginia Beach. He will join the program as a mentor, providing guidance and support to the participating businesses.
