Daniel Kuenzi, an evening MBA student at Georgetown McDonough, recently won the pitch competition at Georgetown’s Evening of Social Innovation. One of 12 groups of Georgetown students who presented socially conscious business ideas at the event sponsored by the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative, Kuenzi envisions a world where produce is fresh, affordable and accessible. His business, Local Roots Farms, is helping make that dream a reality.
Local Roots Farms aims to provide fresh produce in food deserts in urban areas while giving farmers a way to grow their crops during drought conditions by growing lettuce and other greens inside vacant shipping containers on the West Coast.
“It’s hard to believe that what started out as just a wild idea has already grown so much,” Kuenzi told Smithsonian Magazine. “We have been incredibly well received by industry professionals and have surrounded ourselves with an excellent team of advisors. Now it’s time to get our produce out there so that everyone can experience eating local year-round.
Kuenzi’s victory came in third year for the social innovation event. Wearable Justice and the Lecture Fund of Georgetown University sponsored the panel discussion and the Global Social Enterprise Initiative, the Beeck Center for Social Impact & Innovation, and the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative sponsored the prize for the pitch competition.
“Entrepreneurs solve problems, create jobs, and create value,” said Jeff Reid, founding director of the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative. “Many of those entrepreneurs also define their goals in terms of a social mission. It’s about building a sustainable organization that has goals beyond financial. It’s a great fit for Georgetown.”