Cisco Systems Hosts Web Conference

May 29 - KGO (KGO) -- There's a unique conference underway in the South Bay that bills itself as American Idol meets Silicon Valley. Nearly two dozen non-profits are in town to tap into the valley's high tech know-how.

These contestants came from around the globe to sell their web based ideas. They've converged at Cisco Systems for a conference that's really a competition.

Non-profits who want to make the world a better place are vying for 100 thousand dollars in cash and high tech support.

Daniel Ben-Horin: "It's important that projects in this space raise their game. It's important that they be able to give a good answer to are we going to be around next year. are you going to be around in five years?"

One-hundred and fifty two non-profits submitted projects. The competition has already whittled down to 21 groups invited to the Tech Soup Net Squared Conference.

From saving the environment to mentoring children, these non-profits want help in effectively reaching the masses and promoting social change. One finalist uses the web to recruit medical specialists that are electronically deployed in times of need.

Randy Roberson,disasterlogistics.org: "It's that tele mentoring kind of process in the initial phase of the disaster that's so important."

Another contender wants to eliminate the middleman for people in Africa trying to sell their products. Sam Wmangi calls himself a visionary.

Sam Wmangi, MyKenyanSpace.net: "Imagine making it possible for those families to sell those products overseas. You would never have to send donations to Africa again."

Jennifer Sly's start up also has an African connection. It's called youth assets.org.

Jennifer Sly, youthassets.org: "I did the peace corp. there about ten years ago and am dedicated to helping the orphans there get connected."

The winners are announced tomorrow night, but even more than a competition this conference promotes collaboration. Suits with money and geeks with know how are joining forces with non-profits hoping to do good.

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