A local group on Montreal investors, Market Exchange, wants to finance a next generation of businesses that are sustainable. Market Exchange has created a web site called “Challenge Your World” that will host a contest to find the best ideas and offer financing to develop them. They also have a Blog.

How do you know if your idea qualifies for help and financing? According to their web site, the idea must provide:

1. a positive impact on people
2. a positive net impact on the environment
3. strong financial potential

This is simillar to the “triple bottom line” ideal put forward by proponents of sustainable development. It is great to see people who have money to invest promoting this type of “awakened” ventures — whether they be for-profit or not-for-profit. I have an idea of my own, ShareFair, which I am birthing in 2009.