‘Job Opportunities’

ConnectText is a Charlottesville-based startup that is revolutionizing the way we use mobile technology to connect with friends and businesses.  ConnectText is in the process of developing and launching an iPhone application that enables mobile-driven calendar population with integrated geolocation services for event planning.  ConnextText has recently been accepted to the Darden Business Incubator and is seeking an entrepreneurial 3^rd or 4^th-year student for a summer internship to help grow the company.  Ideal candidates will be technology-oriented with prior experience developing websites and web-based technologies.  The summer intern will drive efforts in web-development, project management and social media marketing. This role is ideal for any candidate who wants experience working in a start-up environment while honing web development skills and developing strong business acumen.  The summer intern will also have the opportunity to learn what it takes to start a company from scratch by shadowing the management team in various activities related to the business process (strategic planning, business development, fundraising, etc.).

Responsibilities include:

-          Providing project management oversight with off-shore mobile app developers

-          Developing and launching ConnectText website

-          Testing mobile application functionality and usability

-          Promoting ConnectText through social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

If interested, please e-mail a copy of your resume to Jay Subhash (SubhashJ11@darden.virginia.edu). Please include any information about prior web development experience, either in the resume or the body of the e-mail.  There will be a mixture of both cash and non-cash compensation.

Brian Cunningham, CEO of the Wave Energy Conversion Corporation of America (WECCA), as well as the Wave Energy Conversion Corporation of Ireland (WECCI), is on the verge of receiving the funding he needs to launch the next phase of prototyping for the ‘Wave Energy Converter,’ a technology that has already undergone 9 years of sea trials. The first set of trials proved that is it possible to convert kinetic ocean energy to mechanical energy. The upcoming trials hope to prove that is it possible and cost-effective to convert mechanical energy to electricity. Mr. Cunningham, who built and ran a public company before taking the reins at WECCA, needs help quantifying the potential for wave energy around the world, including data on average wave heights and wave periods. This is to determine where the potential lies as the company prepares for global expansion. The deliverable will be a brief report and presentation at company headquarters. This is not only a great resume builder, but participants will also learn a great deal from working with this inspiring veteran entrepreneur. Please contact Giles Jackson – (202) 257 4854.

Amandla Africa is a small non-profit organization doing exciting work in Africa.  Daniel Isner, co-founder (from Charlottesville) is currently in Burkina Faso, setting up a Meringa cultivation operation in the village of Bissiri, south of the capital of Ouagadougou.  Like Spirulina, Meringa is highly nutritious plant rich in proteins, amino acids, and vitamins that is being farmed intensively in India, South America and other parts of West Africa. Daniel envisages a full spectrum farming, drying, milling, packaging, marketing, distribution and sales operation, targeting African, European and North American markets.  The village chief has given Amandla land, and field trials are under way.  Daniel needs help identifying best practices in the “super-food” business, including Meringa, Spirulina and other varieties.  He needs to know how to package, distribute, market and sell this and other products internationally.  He wants to build a marketing channel from scratch. He’ll be back in Charlottesville mid-March to meet the team, assess progress and plan the next phase of the project (raising funds for the processing plant). Deliverables will include a brief report (& supporting documentation) and a presentation.

Contact: Giles Jackson

Living Machine Systems, L3C is low profit limited liability company (and certified b-corp), based in Charlottesville, which develops technologies to treat wastewater from a variety of sources for non-potable reuse. The company’s Living Machine systems utilize ecological and microbiological processes to remove organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater. These unique treatment ecosystems are optimized with efficient pumps and small microcomputers and have less than ¼ the operating cost of conventional technologies, as demonstrated for a variety of commercial, institutional, and government clients. Now, because of the rising costs of both water and energy, and pressures on overextended municipalities, there is an economic incentive to invest in onsite, sustainable “micro-utilities.” The company is interested in developing a micro-utility model for wastewater treatment and reuse in urban and suburban areas of the West and South East. It is currently looking for assistance in quantifying the growing onsite wastewater treatment and water reuse markets, and discerning the key trends shaping this dynamic market.  Deliverables will include a brief report (& supporting documentation) and a presentation.

Contact: Giles Jackson

Charlottesville-based RentalSpot.com recently launched in the vacation home rental space with a unique free-to-list approach.  The goal is to disrupt the space, much like Plenty of Fish has been doing in Personals.  The rentalspot.com website, now in beta, has received very positive reviews both from renters and vacation home owners/agencies.  Now, we need to take it to the next level by marketing and promoting the site.   This would be a non-paying internship, however all expenses (including any travel) will be covered.  Some marketing experience preferred but not required.  The position could become a summer paid position, and/or a permanent position to include meaningful equity in the company.

Contact: Tobias Dengel

Greetings Foodies & Entrepreneurs!

As some of you know JABA is using USDA FMPP grant funds to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of a flash-freezing operation that uses local food.  There are two areas of research for which we will be hiring: (1) analysis of supply and demand, which will involve research of farmers and facilities supplying product as well as interviews and surveys of potential customers including public and private agencies; and (2) financial analysis, analysis of comparable facilities, and identifying potential funding sources.  A business plan will be developed from these findings.

Each area will involve approximately 100-150 hours of research over the months of December, January and February.  If you have a strong business education or background and a passion for expanding a sustainable local food system, please contact me!

Previous grad students of UVA’s Darden School and UVA’s Sustainability studies through the Architect School are strongly encouraged to apply!  Please send me an email.

Judy Berger

JABA Community Nutrition Manager

674 Hillsdale Drive, Ste. 9

Charlottesville, VA  22901

Office: 434-817-5234

Fax: 434-817-5230

jberger@jabacares.org

JABA’S MISSION: To promote, establish and preserve sustainable communities for healthy aging that benefit individuals and families of all ages.