The Purpose:
The founders of this venture have enjoyed and benefited from
many years of work in the creative industry. We've created awesome websites, photography, video and music projects, and worked with many inspirational business people. We love what modern technology has brought to our lives. And now we want to share it with the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs and creators.
Specifics
- Our not-for-profit venture is called I/O Digital Labs
- The long name is Inside/Out Digital Opportunity Labs
- We'll teach students of all ages
the "art & tech" driving today's modern digital world.
- We'll teach entrepreneurial and digital know-how so students can create their own sustaining small businesses – with audio, video, visual or artisanal projects – and market their businesses on the Internet
- The resort (the hospitality and agritourism aspect) will support
the nonprofit, minimizing our need for traditional fundraising
- During classes, students will live at the resort
- Students will be taught in English (at first)
- As students graduate from the program, they can give back
by becoming staff members and advocates for the cause
- We hope to replicate this model in many cities of the developing
world.
- Tourist guests can value their stay more
because of the social impact of their decision to vacation
with us
- In all we do, first-class service will differentiate us
from other typical for-profit businesses in the area
Learn more about the nonprofit
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The Property:
After 4 years of part-time researching for the ideal location in Brazil,
we have chosen the northeast state of Paraiba.
The first year we explored
the state of Espirito Santo, then Rio
Grande do Norte, which ranked highly
in quality of living and has a long-time connection with America.
But in 2011
we chose the capital city of Joao Pessoa, in Paraiba, because it ultimately proved most appropriate for our project.
Current and Planned Features
- Approx. 8 hectares = 19 acres
- Fertile fields for growing organic produce and free-range chickens/ostriches
- 2 houses
- 1 outdoor BBQ, cabanas, pool
- Well
- Property boundaries protected by fences
- Entrance gate on secondary road, close to paved PB-018 highway
- Greywater system for irrigation
- Constructed wetlands with fish pond; pond also holds the geothermal ground loops
- Composting
- Fruit trees like: banana, coconut & palm trees, caju and mango
trees, passion fruit vines, and other mature fruit trees
View photos of the region
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The Fundraising Plan:
Two Options
Immediate Goal: To acquire an ideal, unique property as the home
of our Resort and school. The acquisition will be financed by raising
US $300,000 for the property, plus approx. US $400,000 for the construction.
Strategy: "Crowdsource" the capital needed. Invite many individuals
to loan this venture needed funds through micro-loans.
Incentives: Anyone who connects us to a lender earns a free week
vacation.
Investment Option I
- You loan $5,000 or more in the
form of an "I/O YOU" micro-loan
- You earn 5% interest per year
- 2-3 year loan period (maturity date)
- You earn a free 7-night stay (details) to see
what you have helped accomplish
- You and a friend can join together and you both take
your free stay together
- For every additional $10,000 invested, another free week's stay is given
- We need only 60 people to invest $5,000 each
to meet our goal!
- All participants will receive monthly updates and student progress reports
via email and the blog.
Recognition Opportunities
- All supporters are recognized with their name on a "CoFounder's
Plaque" and on the website
- Further participation is possible as well as membership on the Board of
Advisors
More details and apply
online
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The Leadership Team
This experienced leadership team will be responsible for the success
of the project. It has been a long-time dream of the partners to
develop a unique, scalable busines model that has a positive environmental and social impact.
We have a dedicated on-site management staff and a board of experienced, successful advisors.
Board of Advisors
- Sheldon Perkins Maine, USA
- Lisa Perkins Maine, USA
- Russ Williams Maine, USA
- Tim Dietz Maine, USA
- Paul Gurney, Sr. Maine, USA
Managing Staff
- Paul D. Gurney, Jr. founder.
Role: director, business development,
teacher. American
- Renato Calabrese, co-founder.
Role: manager, trainer, horticulturist,
ornithologist, multi-lingual translator. Brazilian-Italian
- Luiz de Carvalho. Role: manager, chef, multi-lingual
translator.
Brazilian
Read the team's full biographies
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