Lightning Pitch: Project Latitude

COMPANY: Project Latitude

HEADQUARTERS: New York City

Aimed to subsidize the high costs of volunteer builds by selling locally inspired products that are made in communities in need around Latin America. The first project, Project 00 is building an entrepreneur workshop in La Isla outside Quito, Ecuador–funded by the sales of a handmade roll-top backpack that was inspired by the textiles of the highlands in Ecuador. The Chaski (‘Chaski’ means messenger in Quichua, the local Andean language) Backpack is an all-purpose roll-top backpack designed for urban adventurers–a bag that could be used in the city and on adventurous weekend getaways. Each Chaski is individually handmade in Ecuador and all detailing is made from 100 percent recycled car tires. The highlighting feature is the front strap made from handmade local textiles. While many other companies offer to donate a portion of their proceeds to a good cause, Project Latitude actually takes the funds and builds the project! Our products are tied to a community for as long as they are sold. The community will inspire the product design, make the products and they will be the sole recipients of the funds raised from the sales. Each project will have a fundraising goal and every product we sell will count towards this fundraising goal.

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