Conquer for Good aims to be catalyst for KC’s purpose-driven firms

Editor’s note: Startland News is an in-kind sponsor of Conquer for Good and supports its mission to cultivate a community in which entrepreneurs create positive social change.

How can Kansas City create a supportive community for its purpose-driven companies?

Mark O’Renick

That’s the key question and mission behind an upcoming event that aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for socially-conscious enterprises in Kansas City. Set for March 2, Conquer for Good will host several Kansas City entrepreneurs for a half-day of discussions to spur positive social change and inspire a balance of profitability and purpose.

Conquer for Good founder Mark O’Renick said he hopes the event will drive momentum for more firms to evaluate how they’re improving society.

“We believe social enterprise and purpose-driven companies have an infinite potential to change lives, communities and the world. It’s a movement, however, that isn’t fully understood,” said O’Renick, who’s also the co-founder of Will & Grail. “The lines between for-profit, nonprofit and governmental models are blurring. And the forces of entrepreneurial innovation and enterprise scale can create solutions that can make lasting change. The models and stories are there, and we felt that those needed to be shared so others can see and be inspired by what others are doing to act with purpose, on purpose.”

The event has snagged an impressive lineup of speakers, including water.org co-founder Gary White. Named to the Time 100 list of most influential people in 2011, White’s organization has transformed how clean water and sanitation projects are delivered and financed, addressing a challenge that’s among the leading causes of illness and death. The organization merged with actor Matt Damon’s water charity in 2009 and has helped bring clean water to more than five million people around the world.

Other speakers at the event are: Arnold Development CEO Jonathan Arnold; Charlie Hustle founder Chase McAnulty; Global Orphan Project CEO Joe Knittig; Cerner vice president of marketing Melissa Hendricks; KCMO innovation analyst Kate Garman; and O’Renick.

O’Renick said the biggest changes in the world start in small ways and that together the area can start working toward many an impact.

“By bringing Kansas City together to learn and celebrate what we are doing as part of the ecosystem of social change, we’re hoping that people will see and act on the potential we have,” he said. “Not only to make a difference locally, but to model new ways of solving problems, removing barriers to scale, and building companies that grow and make an impact around the world driven by a core sense of purpose.  We’re really fortunate that so many great organizations have gotten behind this, because the power of this ecosystem from an economic development standpoint is real.”

To learn more about the event, check out its website here.