Responsible Consumption and Production

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Consultation (8) Contracts (4) Corporate Formation (2) Corporate Governance (2) Due Diligence (1) Employment/Labor (5) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (3) Nonprofit Formation (2) Nonprofit Governance (2) Tax (2) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (8)

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Mukuru Clean Stoves

Patent Registration

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise producing efficient cookstoves in Africa by registering a U.S. patent.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Mukuru Clean Stoves (MCS) designs, manufactures, and distributes improved, efficient, and reliable cookstoves. MCS makes its stoves with locally sourced recycled metal and distributes them through networks of local women business owners and micro-finance institutions. Their vision is to significantly reduce household air pollution in underserved markets in Africa.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Mukuru Clean Stoves has both a registered for-profit and non-profit entity in Kenya. They are now in the process of expanding into the United States. The Mukuru Clean Stoves team is seeking assistance registering a U.S. patent for their innovative cookstoves. They would like the IP to be owned by its new U.S. entity, not yet established (a separate request on this Digest).

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Mukuru Clean Stoves

Advise on Establishing a U.S. Entity

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise producing efficient cookstoves in Africa on establishing a U.S. entity to attract partners/investors.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Mukuru Clean Stoves (MCS) designs, manufactures, and distributes improved, efficient, and reliable cookstoves. MCS makes its stoves with locally sourced recycled metal and distributes them through networks of local women business owners and micro-finance institutions. Their vision is to significantly reduce household air pollution in underserved markets in Africa.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Mukuru Clean Stoves has both a registered for-profit and non-profit entity in Kenya. They are now looking to expand into the U.S., to attract more partners/investors for their innovative cookstove technology. They are currently seeking a comprehensive consultation to discuss what entity structure best fits their needs and, if possible, assistance with the registration itself. They are also seeking to patent their technology in the U.S., (a separate matter on this Digest) and will need the U.S. entity established so that it can own the IP.

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COOK Alliance

501(c)(3) Filing

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise working to ensure culinary entrepreneurship is accessible to all with its 501(c)(3) filing.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: California
About the Organization: The COOK Alliance is a social enterprise working to legitimize and support informal home cooking businesses so that culinary entrepreneurship is accessible to all, and particularly empowering for homemakers, caretakers, women, people of color and immigrants.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production
Legal Issue(s):

Cook Alliance is currently fiscally sponsored, but they are looking to formalize independently and file for their own 501c3. They are seeking assistance with their incorporation and 501c3 filing.

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The BOOM

Patent Research

Summary:

Assist a non-profit mentoring at youth risk by conducting research to determine the patentability of their technology.

Referred by:

  • Lex Mundi Member Firm
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The BOOM is a non-profit on a mission to transform at-risk teens into homegrown engineers, entrepreneurs, and tradespeople. Through their youth mentoring program, they teach students how to build a boomboxes, using recycled and repurposed materials.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Quality Education, Responsible Consumption and Production
Legal Issue(s):

The BOOM is developing wireless technologies to support the educational experience of their apprentices. Students will acquire engineering knowledge by studying this technology and building products with it. The BOOM team is now seeking assistance with patent research, to determine whether they can patent this technology. If possible, they would also appreciate assistance with patent registration. But, this is a secondary request and not required.

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