EarthWise Ferries Wins $100,000 Grant From USAID/Western Union
EarthWise gains recognition for its solid business plan and potential to
(EVERETT,
Wash.)— Jan. 15, 2010
EarthWise Ferries – Uganda, Ltd. was selected on January 13 as a winner
in the 2009 African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) business plan competition
sponsored by USAID and Western Union. As
a result of its resounding success in the contest, EarthWise Ferries was
awarded a grant of $100,000 to assist and expedite the company’s ferry
operations on Lake Victoria, East Africa.
Representing
EarthWise Ferries at the ADM competition were Robert (Rob) Smith, CEO of
EarthWise Ventures, Inc., and Anthony Esenu of EarthWise Ferries- Uganda,
Ltd. Out of 733
business plans submitted by U.S.-based African Diaspora, EarthWise Ferries was
chosen to be one of 58 finalists presenting business plans to an independent
panel of judges last week. EarthWise
Ferries was then selected as one of 14 final grant recipients. The criteria used for evaluation included the business idea and management
framework, prospects for sustainability, capacity to leverage Diaspora resources
and results orientation.
“This
Ferry project is one that touches upon all of the goals articulated by the ADM
sponsors, said Mr. Esenu. “Successful implementation of EarthWise Ferries
business plan will directly create approximately 45 jobs per vessel in
operation, countless indirect jobs, and will re-establish economic corridors
across and around Lake Victoria. The economic footprint is enormous.”
According
to Mr. Smith, in addition to the grant money, “EarthWise’ success in this
contest will go a long way towards developing and solidifying our relationships
with large-scale players who are interested in developing African
infrastructure through for-profit, private investment.”
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: January 15, 2010
SEE ALSO: http://www.diasporamarketplace.org/
FOR MORE
INFORMATION: Julia Youngs (425) 493-5349
