As far as the major cities known for innovation and technology, Philadelphia is a best-kept secret. Scattered throughout the city, you’ll find some of the most inventive and impactful startups and incubators our nation has to offer, among leading entrepreneurial and sustainable business tax credits that incentivize these companies to both start and remain here in Philadelphia.

In August, Philadelphia’s very first SustainPHL Awards will highlight and celebrate 3 of these very worthy business innovators who are changing the landscape for a more sustainable future. Join us to celebrate these visionaries and announce our Business Innovation of The Year at the SustainPHL Awards on August 18th at WHYY!

BUSINESS INNOVATION OF THE YEAR nominees

• Tern Water
• Lia Diagnostics
• Good Company Ventures

Tern Water

Tern’s on a mission is to provide users with smart, sustainable and healthy water through the making of modular products and convenient services.

Tern Water’s Smart Faucet offers users with insightful data about their usage while providing high quality, purified water. It is a smart, sustainable water system that teaches users to evaluate their consumption to be more responsible consumers. In a world where data rules and just about everything is monitored via smartphone applications, the Smart Faucet earns its mark as a seriously cool invention.

Mohamed ‘Mo’ Zerban is the founder, CEO, engineer, and all-around-brains of Tern Water. Zerban is a graduate of Drexel University where he had the opportunity to pursue his interest in researching sustainable resources. Tern grew out of Mo’s passion and unique vision for a clean water solution that was affordable and accessible.

LIA Diagnostics

The pregnancy test hasn’t changed in years. This startup is redesigning one of the most important moments in a woman’s life.- FastCompany

The Lia Diagnostics Pregnancy test has proven just as effective as its competitors, but instead of being made from plastic, it’s made from cellulose from trees and completely biodegradable. This product is not only flushable, making it sustainable, but provides a privacy factor that modern day tests can’t deliver. LIA shines as one of Philadelphia’s most innovative startups while providing a platform to talk about women care. We think that’s a big win.

LIA got its first press back in 2014 when co-founders Bethany Edwards and Frances DiMare presented their concept (and won!) for the LIA pregnancy test at Temple University’s Innovative Idea Competition through the Fox School of Business’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute. Among a crowd of other worthy innovators, LIA stood out. Edwards knew she wanted to make a difference through reimagining single-use products in a more sustainable way. Little did she know she’d spark a revolution for the female personal care and family planning product aisle, a rarely discussed and hardly inventive array of products.

GoodCompany Ventures

Organizationally, GCV’s activities have advanced Philadelphia’s leadership as a national hub for social innovation.

Good Company Ventures’ homepage states in big, bold letters, “FOR DOERS, NOT DREAMERS.” As a 501 c(3) non-profit, GCV launched in 2009 to form a hub for social entrepreneurs, guiding these high-potential individuals through opportunities to increase their capacity to succeed and scale their impact. Not only is GCV working with native Philadelphia-based organizations, but has also partnered with the City on pilot programs to bring entrepreneurs from all over the country to Philadelphia to launch their social innovations. By building relationships with the City, impact investment networks, and mentor programs, GCV turns dreamers into doers with guided curriculum, tools and business models that are anchored in global impact. Gabe Mandujano from Wash Cycle Laundry is one of GCV’s successful locally-based clients and helped them scale from a one-site experiment to a well-funded, multi-city company.

GoodCompany Ventures is the country’s first accelerator for social entrepreneurs and has assisted over 68 organizations in raising over $60mm to fuel their social missions, with over $1bn in projected social impact. It’s clear that GCV is driving sustainable innovation in a big way.

Garrett Melby is co-founder and Executive Director of GoodCompany Ventures, an accelerator for social entrepreneurs. GCV’s graduates have mobilized over $50mm in private capital, and its proprietary curriculum provides the operating system for FastFWD, an accelerator addressing public safety issues funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Climate Ventures 2.0, an accelerator addressing climate threats developed in collaboration with the White House Climate Data Initiative. Garrett is also a Director of Generocity.org and a founding member of Investors’ Circle’s first regional chapter.

We congratulate the Business Innovation of the Year Award nominees and look forward to celebrating them at the SustainPHL awards on August 18th! Get your tickets online here.

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Amy Kate is the Sales and Marketing Operations Manager at Community Energy, a national leader in renewable energy development. There she manages Community Energy’s community solar programs, working to expand access to clean, local, affordable energy across the country. Amy Kate serves on the Board of Directors for the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) and strives to serve her community through meaningful work. View all posts by Amy Kate Failing