BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Practically Green, an online service that helps busy people make healthy, practical, green-living decisions for themselves and their families, has been honored as the winner of the prestigious William James Foundation’s 8th annual socially responsible business plan competition. The renowned organization supports and rewards the next generation of sustainable businesses with more than $100,000 in prizes each year. This year’s gathering and awards ceremony was held in Washington, DC on April 16.
Practically Green earned first place among a field of 135 business plans from 35 countries. Prizes included cash, in-kind professional services, and connections with patient-capital investors.
Founder and CEO of Practically Green, Susan Hunt Stevens, said, “Every finalist has an amazing business that also addresses fundamental issues regarding health or the environment. We were delighted, and honored, to have the broad, transformative impact of Practically Green's online service highlighted by the judges."
All of the winning entrepreneurs presented for-profit business plans that are expected to be both financially and socially successful.
Ian Fisk, the William James Foundation's Executive Director, said, "The judges were pleased that all three finalists were viable and investable businesses, and they had a tough time deciding. We chose Practically Green for the great potential influence its users would have to make their communities more socially and environmentally responsible.”
Practically Green is an online service that provides consumers with the knowledge necessary to make green and healthy-living decisions in their everyday lives, while also making the process fun and easy to share with their friends and neighbors via their personal online social networks.
As these actions and accomplishments are shared with friends, the power of social networks drives real-life changes that go beyond the online realm, resulting in a significant social impact.
Other finalists this year included Runa, which produces and markets organic and fairly traded tea and beverages, and Previca, which has developed an electronic cervical cancer screening test that can generate immediate results.
Practically Green is run by an esteemed team of digital media veterans including CEO Stevens, who held senior digital and marketing roles with The New York Times Company, most recently as SVP/GM of Boston.com, one of the nation’s largest regional news sites. The executive team also includes Co-founder and Vice President of Product and Technology Jason Butler, who has held product leadership roles with Boston.com, Abuzz, and Amazon.com; and Director of Social Programming Sarah Finnie Robinson, a former launch programming director at iVillage.
Practically Green was launched in a private beta version in May 2010, and went into open beta in July 2010.
Practically Green can be found at www.practicallygreen.com, on Twitter at www.twitter/practicallygrn , and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/practicallygreen.
Additional information about the William James Foundation and its annual gathering can be found at www.williamjamesfoundation.org/gathering.