Saturday, November 8, 2008

Social entrepreneurship

It has been a while, but now I plan to write at least once a week.

I was just looking at the 'Ashoka' organization. This is a place for social entrepreneurs. They help social entrepreneurs by providing them resources to get an initiative going as well as by supporting them financially. The people in this organization must be stellar entrepreneurs who want to change the world for the better. Upon looking at the definition of ‘Junior-level entrepreneur’ - "As a junior entrepreneur, you have just finished university, and you have a track record of starting ventures and a commitment to social change" - I do not think I fit the bill yet! Those who make innovative contributions to society are often granted the privilege of being an Ashoka fellow as long as they apply for a fellowship. This is very beneficial to social entrepreneurs who are in most cases heading an initiative without enough financial resources to expand faster.

Another organization that provides financial and professional resources to social entrepreneurs is 'Echoing Green'. Both of these organizations have been around since the 1980s and have extremely mature infrastructures. Other organizations that I found are Avina Foundation, Roberts Enterprise Development Fund, Social Venture Partners, New Profit, Inc., New Schools Venture Fund and Omidyar Network. Its definitely worth checking out what they have to offer and what the fellows/partners of these organizations are currently doing. Innovate, help, expand!