GO Campaign, P90X's Tony Horton and Lemelson-MIT launch global search for inventors, June 9

P90X Trainer Tony Horton will team up with the GO Campaign, a non-profit organization supporting orphans and vulnerable children throughout the developing world, to launch a global search for community innovators and entrepreneurs. Details of the global search will be announced at a Newsmakers press conference at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 9.

At the press conference, GO will recognize Bernard Kiwia, Arusha, Tanzania, winner of the 2011 GO Innovation Award (GIA). Kiwia is a bicycle repairman-turned-inventor whose inventions include cell phone chargers for bicycles and motorbikes, a bicycle-powered water pump, a solar water heater, and a pedal-powered drill-press. The GIA Awards aim to combat poverty in developing nations by providing resources to inventors, tinkerers and entrepreneurs who are inspiring youth outside of the conventional models.

To launch its search for innovators and inventors in the developing world, the GO Campaign will call for private sector support by corporations, nonprofits, educational institutions, and the general public to secure an initial $500,000 for the five-year, global grant program.

Panelists will include Tony Horton, P90X creator/GO Board Member, Scott Fifer, GO Campaign Exec. Director, Joshua Schuler, Lemelson-MIT Executive Director, and Bernard Kiwia, Inventor/2011 Go Innovation Award Recipient. Lily Munanka, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania, will also be in attendance.

For individual media interviews before or after event, please contact Melissa Charbonneau, [email protected].

Newsmakers Contact: Ed Lewis, NPC Newsmakers Committee/Host, [email protected].