AIM2Flourish

UN sustainable development goalsWestern Michigan University students regularly contribute to AIM2Flourish, the world’s first higher education curriculum based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Using the U.N.’s goals as a lens, students research and identify an innovation and interview a business leader about it. Their stories live on the AIM2Flourish.com platform as sources of inspiration for others.

Recent stories 

Generic Aadhaar logoGeneric Aadhaar

Generic Aadhaar's innovation stems from its goal to make medicines affordable, available, and accessible to all Indians. Their primary innovation is their model of operation in which they act as pharmacy aggregators. 

 

The Living Greens

The Living Greens is India’s first and largest urban organic farming company that has created innovative products to convert un-used urban spaces (e.g., rooftops, small plots) into organic food-producing spaces.


 

Ecoplore logoEcoplore

Ecoplore is an aggregator platform for eco-hotels. They find individual hotels that have at least 33% green area and are made of non-concrete building material such as mud, stone, wood or any locally available material, and promote such hotels by co-branding with them.

 

Boheco logoBOHECO

BOHECO (Bombay Hemp Company) is an agro-based enterprise that specializes in medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp-based products. The company conducts extensive research on the various by-products and derivatives of hemp and empowers farmers with this knowledge. They facilitate the development and production of hemp-based products using sustainability as a lens.

 

Sunbird Straws logoSunbird Straws

Sunbird Straws are environment-friendly and the first completely biodegradable straws created from dried coconut leaves. One coconut leaf produces nearly 200 straws. Making straws from natural waste draws on the circular economy, and empowers women in rural areas by creating sustainable employment opportunities.

 

Atomic Sierra logoAtomic Sierra

Atomic Sierra, founded by Abigail Jaqua, is described as "sustainable fashion with a purpose." Jaqua's core goal in creating Atomic Sierra is to inspire people to make conscious decisions regarding the planet and the environment while still looking and feeling good.



Rose Soma LLC logoRose Soma LLC

Rose Soma aims to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and reduce waste in the textile industry by selling reconstructive clothing made of recycled materials. Soma's online shop also includes fine art, stickers, and masks made from reconstructed materials. 

 

Bee Joyful Shop logoBee Joyful Shop

Bee Joyful Shop is Michigan's first zero waste shop, offering eco-friendly alternatives to single use plastic. The company is making an impact by spreading awareness about reusing items and exclusively using all-natural products. From bamboo dining sets, to organic laundry paste and more—their zero waste mission is embodied in every product they sell.

 

Kalsec logoKalsec

Extracting the best of nature and converting it into liquid extracts that food and beverage companies will use in their products is how Kalsec is able to help feed the hungry in a healthy and sustainable way. 

 

Matr Boomie logoMatr Boomie

Matr Boomie creates partnerships with Indian craftspeople and artisans to help them design, develop and distribute their products in the United States. The company has set up sustainable employment practices that empower artisans to compete in the free market by establishing educational programming on fair trade, product quality, skill development and more. 

 

Kimberly-Clark logoKimberly-Clark

As the chief scientist and technical vice president at Kimberly-Clark, Pete Dulcamara wants to help create businesses that improve people’s lives, and he said that his role provides him with an opportunity to leverage science and technology to make an impact that extends far beyond profit margins.

 

 

Revolution Farms logoRevolution Farms

As conditions change for food production—like climate, labor, sustainability, and market preferences—industry has an obligation to respond. Revolution Farms believes greenhouse farming is a solution to the many challenges faced by the future of agriculture. Their system uses 90 percent less water, 90 percent less land and requires 90 percent less travel in a truck than other leading year-round lettuce farms currently supplying Midwest stores. 

 

Bound for Freedom logoBound for Freedom

Kelsey Bock and her husband, Austin, wanted to create an opportunity that brought freedom to others through a retail marketplace. “Business as a Mission” is a concept that is becoming more and more common. Young entrepreneurs, like the Bocks, are implementing a sustainable business plan that benefits individuals lacking freedom around the world, and allowing them to make a good living as part of the model.

 

The Gluten Free Bar logoThe Gluten Free Bar

Gluten Free Bar was created by two brothers with celiac disease who understand the struggle many face when trying to find quality gluten-free food. As a “triple bottom line company,” GFB focuses its business goals on People, Planet and Profits.

 

 

Solar Winds Power Systems logoSolar Winds Power Systems

Solar Winds Power Systems is considered one of the most experienced and responsive solar photovoltaic installation firms in southwest Michigan. The company’s innovation lies in taking the newest solar technology to underutilized markets by using real-time data to support solar panel use.

 

 

Water Street Coffee logoWater Street Coffee

Water Street Coffee has grown from a one-man coffee shop to a successful line of cafés. While working with Royal Importer, based in New York, Water Street has worked to employ hundreds of farm workers in countries such as Ethiopia and Mexico. Through fair trade and growing organic coffees, Water Street has benefited the lives of hundreds of workers.