Our Story
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Before there was a name or even a product, there was already a vision for a company that merged sustainability, technology, and development in Latin America. We believed that entrepreneurship could be an engine for the solutions to the world's most challenging problems. We dreamed of an institution that pioneers new ways of thinking in business, that sparks enthusiasm for sustainable alternatives in youth, and fosters beautiful communities. Now that dream is becoming a reality.
ifPeople - The Name
The name “ifPeople” is short for “Innovation for People.” Innovation occurs as a result of everything from random chance to methodological research. We believe that to continuously deliver innovation, requires a strategy across the entire system. Since there is "no new idea under the sun", we seek opportunities for innovation that “borrow” ideas from existing systems and then integrate them into another environment, such as applying responsible business principles to information technology or adapting the practices of business sustainability to the Latin American context.
If we are going to innovate, we must also be ready to break with the status quo. Questioning is essential to breaking the confines of the ideas and beliefs that lock us into current patterns. The name “ifPeople” also reflects the frequent questioning involved in seeking appropriate solutions. “What if...” we based our processes and organizations on lessons learned from the ecosystem? “What if...” the best solution was also the most beautiful? By questioning, we open up the possibility of creative solutions and also seek to understand the full impacts of our decisions and actions.
ifPeople - The Logo
The ifPeople logo has a symmetry, harmony, and meaning drawn from nature and the concepts that are core to the company, creating multiple layers of meaning. The form of the logo is that of a trillium flower. The trillium plant, a native to many different regions including the US Southeast and the Pacific coast (home lands of the co-founders) is truly a beauty of the forest. Thriving on the moist forest floor, it is a delicate plant that only blooms after several years (up to 17 for some species).
The structure of the logo is composed of two parts. The first is represented by a triangle that balances ecology, society, and economy, the components of sustainability. In particular, the image of “eco-effectiveness” is reflected in the logo. The concept of eco-effectiveness challenges us to see our systems through complementary lenses: how would we design our solutions to succeed not only in a narrow economic sense, but also in respect to the systems in which we operate: the economy, ecosystem and society.
Though meaningful as a concept, sustainability is the guiding principles or boundaries for the company, and not the core itself. The center of the logo is composed of three intersecting circles, which represent people (our motive), process (our approach), and passion (the energy we bring for our work). These are are core and drive the business's activities and growth down a path of sustainability.
