Daniel Blake

Daniel Blake is the Managing Director at University Impact, a nonprofit organization focused on funding ventures that address complex social issues through a combination of impact investing and philanthropic capital. He co-founded University Impact in 2017, aiming to support social enterprises by offering various financial instruments beyond traditional funding methods, such as grants and equity investments.12

Blake's professional background includes significant entrepreneurial experience. He founded EcoScraps, a company that recycles food waste into garden products, while he was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU). EcoScraps grew to become one of the largest food waste recycling companies in the U.S. and was acquired by Scott's Miracle-Gro in 2014.124

In addition to his role at University Impact, Blake serves as an adjunct professor at BYU, where he mentors students and promotes social entrepreneurship.24 His career has also included advisory roles and initiatives with organizations like the United Nations World Food Programme and various large corporations, emphasizing sustainability and social impact.45

Blake's contributions to social entrepreneurship have earned him recognition as one of America's top social entrepreneurs by Bloomberg Businessweek, and he has been featured in prominent publications like Inc. Magazine and Forbes.34