See Our Partners on Stage at SOCAP23
From SOCAP’s inception, the Entrepreneur Program has been a pillar of support and access for social entrepreneurs from around the world to be able to attend and present at SOCAP. Starting in 2022, with the merger with the Sorenson Impact Institute, SOCAP has been rethinking the program’s purpose and how it may better serve impact founders in today’s challenging landscape.
With the SOCAP partners detailed below, we have increased support for the 40 selected founders in the SOCAP23 Entrepreneur Program to attend SOCAP and receive six months of virtual programming. We have also been able to provide support to cohorts from other partner organizations listed below and showcase entrepreneurs from their programs. It is an honor and privilege for SOCAP to be able to work with these inspiring and impactful organizations.
Below, learn more about these organizations and when you can see their founders present on stage at SOCAP23. Find the full SOCAP23 agenda here.
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Pitch session: 10:30 a.m. PT Tuesday, October 24, Yerba Buena Blue Shield Theater
The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship is a multi-year partner with SOCAP. This includes current and past initiatives, such as the Accelerating the Accelerators session from 2015 to 2019. The Miller Center will bring 13 of their founders who represent sectors including sustainable agriculture and food security, maternal health, ethical fashion, and the circular economy. See their full profile list.
The Miller Center is at the forefront of the global social entrepreneurship movement, with a robust track record of accelerating social enterprises since 2003. Its work with social entrepreneurs is creating proof points for the case that business can be a driving force for positive change. The Miller Center’s proven model unites the talents and expertise of executive mentors, world-class programs, Silicon Valley’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, and Santa Clara University’s Jesuit heritage of serving the poor and marginalized.
Cartier Women’s Initiative
Pitch session: 1:30 p.m. PT Tuesday, October 24, Yerba Buena Blue Shield Theater
The Cartier Women’s Initiative has been a SOCAP partner for two years and will bring 10 fellows from multi-year cohorts to SOCAP23. The sectors they represent span health, ethical fashion, and climate innovations. See their full profile list.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 2006, the program is open to women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector that aim to have a strong and sustainable social and/or environmental impact. The fellowship includes peer-, industry- and academic-based programming for business growth and skill and leadership development.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Pitch session: 4:30 p.m. PT Tuesday, October 24, Yerba Buena Blue Shield Theater
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a first-time partner bringing 10 social entrepreneurs from Haiti and Mexico to showcase their ethical products and sustainable agricultural innovations at SOCAP23. See their full profile list.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur W.K. Kellogg, who defined its purpose as “administering funds for the promotion of the welfare, comfort, health, education, feeding, clothing, sheltering and safeguarding of children and youth, directly or indirectly, without regard to sex, race, creed or nationality.” The foundation’s programming has continued to evolve, striving to remain innovative and responsive to the changing needs of society. Today, the organization ranks among the world’s largest private foundations, awarding grants in the United States, Mexico, and Haiti.
Global Affairs Canada
Stories of impact: 3 p.m. PT Monday, October 23, Yerba Buena Blue Shield Theater
Global Affairs Canada is a first-time partner sponsoring five Canadian impact founders at SOCAP23. See their full profile list (to be added soon).
Global Affairs Canada is a governmental initiative to define, shape, and advance Canada’s interests and values in a complex global environment. They manage diplomatic relations, promote international trade, and provide consular assistance. This includes leading international development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance efforts. Global Affairs Canada also contributes to national security and the development of international law.
Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Ltd.
Spotlight presentations: 9 a.m. PT Tuesday, October 24, City View Embarcadero Main Stage
The Deloitte – Tohmatsu team is a first-time partner co-designing a unique session with SOCAP to feature the impact its founders are creating in Japan and the rest of Asia. See their full profile list (to be added soon).
Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support’s mission is to create the future alongside innovators by collaborating with startups, large corporations, and government agencies. Its activities include startup support, consulting for large corporations, open innovation, and government agency support to drive business success and revitalize the Japanese and global economies.
Toniic
Stories of impact: 3 p.m. PT Monday, October 23, Yerba Buena Blue Shield Theater
Toniic has participated for many years at SOCAP, but this is the first time it has an intentional partnership to create more value and connections for founders and funders. They will help kick off the SOCAP23 Entrepreneur Program stories of impact sessions.
Toniic is a global community of impact investors seeking deeper positive net impact across the spectrum of capital. Its investor community has about 500 members who are high-net wealth individuals, family offices, and foundation asset owners. While embracing a portfolio approach, Toniic continues to emphasize the importance of early-stage investments, particularly in difficult markets.
Proof.io
Stories of impact: 9 a.m. PT Wednesday, October 25, Yerba Buena Blue Shield Theater
This is the first year that SOCAP has partnered with Proof.io or any type of impact measurement platform to provide access to founders in the SOCAP23 Entrepreneur Program, partner cohorts, and the SOCAP alumni community. The Proof team will share some of its findings from the data collection process with SOCAP entrepreneurs.
Proof’s impact platform helps users benchmark sustainability, set baselines against industry measures, make impact decisions, and achieve purpose-driven results.
