Actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Zoe Saldana has been announced as a judge of the Chivas Venture, an annual competition that gives away $1 million in no-strings funding to the most promising social startups that blend profit with purpose.
The Avatar and Avengers star has significant experience in business and philanthropy. As the founder of digital media platform BESE, which aims to celebrate diverse cultures and combat their lack of representation in mainstream media, Saldana works to shine a light on underrepresented communities. The actress and activist was also the ambassador for the ‘Lend A Hand’ campaign, which works to help impoverished women build their own businesses.
The Chivas Venture Global Final will take place for the second time at TNW Conference on May 9 in Amsterdam. Last year, will.i.am helped decide which social startups received a share of funding on the TNW2019 stage. The winners included a startup which turns cow manure into clothing and another which empowers the homeless community by training them to be baristas.
Until April 30, you can vote for your favorite 2019 finalist on the Chivas Venture website. Your vote will help decide how the first $100,000 in funding is split between them. Check out the list of social startups and cast your vote!
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As a judge for the Chivas Venture Global Final, Zoe Saldana commented:
We live in a time where the impossible is merely an undeveloped idea; a time where technology has given us access to multiple platforms allowing us to learn, innovate, create and make an impact on a global scale. That’s what these entrepreneurs are doing – they’re a true force for social change, blending ambition with generosity to tackle global issues. Their drive and determination will shape generations to come. I cannot wait to be inspired by them.
At the final, Zoe Saldana will be joined by fellow judges Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard; Cemal Ezel, founder of Change Please and global winner of the Chivas Venture 2018; and Sonal Shah, economist and founding Executive Director of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University. The Chivas Venture Global Final will be hosted by BAFTA winning actor Richard Ayoade, who’ll be hosting the final at TNW Conference.
Want to see who wins? Don’t miss out – you can still get your TNW2019 ticket! See you there?
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