Unlocking Impact: How Companies Can Learn from Social Entrepreneurs

Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, offers a unique perspective on social innovation. With over 4,000 social entrepreneurs worldwide, selected over the last 45 years, we have seen Fellows forecast future trends in industries like banking and green energy. Long before companies like Airbnb and Uber emerged, Ashoka Fellows were pioneering shared economy models that prioritized community impact over profit.

Despite these proven innovations, a significant gap remains. Many companies do not recognize the valuable lessons social entrepreneurs have to offer. There is often a perception that traditional business expertise is the only relevant source of insight, overlooking the innovative, systemic approaches that social entrepreneurs bring to solving societal challenges. By changing this mindset, we can accelerate the business for impact movement and encourage companies to embrace new ways of thinking.

For the past 8 years, Ashoka’s Changemaker Companies initiative has collaborated with over 25 companies, guiding them on how to integrate social and environmental considerations into their core business strategies. By leveraging insights from “impact native” innovators, companies can learn how to address complex societal challenges while enhancing their resilience and market relevance.

This workshop will explore the barriers companies face in adopting the mindset that social entrepreneurs offer valuable lessons. Participants will engage in interactive discussions and exercises to identify these challenges and brainstorm solutions. By fostering dialogue between business leaders and social innovators, we aim to accelerate the business for impact movement and co-create actionable strategies for sustainable growth.

Suggested Session Format:
• Introduction (15 min): Overview of Ashoka’s network and the concept of impact native innovation.
• Case Studies (20 min): Sharing of Case Studies of collaborations between Ashoka Fellows and corporate leaders showcasing successful partnerships and the challenges they encountered.
• Breakout Discussions (30 min): Interactive group sessions to identify challenges and co-create solutions.
• Plenary Discussion (20 min): Sharing insights and actionable recommendations.
• Closing and Next Steps (5 min): Summarizing key takeaways and encouraging ongoing discussion.

This is the first time Changemaker Companies proposes a session at SOCAP. We are very open to feedback on how to frame this workshop, including exploring together which case studies and examples are best suited for the audience. Thank you for considering our application!