The Campus Y opened the Social Innovation Incubator, a space designed to nurture UNC students’ innovative ideas about social change, Jan. 23. Located on the third floor of the YMCA Building, the incubator will provide resources such as seed capital, equipment and expert advice to social entrepreneurs who are working to make both a local and global impact.

Four teams were selected for residency within the Campus Y during the spring semester. All four teams were announced during the TEDxUNC conference held last weekend.

• KM Water Solutions Developed to evaluate and commercialize the Compartment Bag Test, KM is on a mission to combat contaminated water and food in impoverished areas. The Compartment Bag Test examines fecal bacteria in water and on food and hands using a color-changing agent. The color-changing agent can be easily read and reviewed visually, without the need for in-depth scientific study. This innovative way to test the sanitation of food and water could potentially improve the lives and health of more than one billion people worldwide who my not have immediate access to any clean-water resources.

• SEA SEA Brand, LLC is an apparel merchandizing corporation that raises funds for various social causes. SEA associates colors with causes and allows consumers to tastefully identify with the cause that they choose to support. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from SEA are donated to the many social charities it supports. Check out the causes that SEA supports, and the company’s apparel.

• HOPE Gardens HOPE Gardens in Chapel Hill is a community space that uses sustainable agriculture to address the challenge of poverty in the local community. Low-income residents have the opportunity to to develop important skills and network with members of the community. HOPE Gardens focuses on unemployment in Chapel Hill as well as a healthy food initiative.

• Musical Empowerment Carolina Music Outreach provides children from underprivileged backgrounds the opportunity to partner with UNC students for free music lessons. The musical initiative is self sustained through a music instrument lending program. Exposure to the arts through music can bring various benefits to low-income children who may not have the experience otherwise.

Read the original UNC news release and learn more about the Campus Y and the incubator here.