America’s Most Promising Social Entreprenuers
From Business Week: America’s Most Promising Social Entreprenuers
“Social entrepreneurs—enterprising individuals who apply business practices to solving societal problems such as pollution, poor nutrition, and poverty—are now 30,000 strong and growing, according to B Lab, a nonprofit organization that certifies these purpose-driven companies. Together, they represent some $40 billion in revenue.
Not surprising, then, that they’ve caught the attention of venture capitalists such as those at Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that invests in companies that try to alleviate poverty, and Bay Area Equity Fund, which backs businesses aiming to make social or environmental improvements to San Francisco’s needier neighborhoods. President Obama has even suggested starting a new government agency to help socially conscious startups gain more access to venture capital.
Back in January, we asked readers and a few members of the social enterprise community to nominate candidates whose trailblazing companies, in operation for at least a year, aimed to turn a profit while tackling social ills.After the call for nominations ended on Feb. 20, our staff sifted through more than 200 and narrowed the impressive group down to a final 25. To read profiles of the finalists, click on. At the end of the slide show, you can vote for the business you feel holds the most promise, from now until Apr. 26. We’ll announce the top five vote-getters on May 2. (Note: All revenues and traffic numbers are self-reported.)” for the finalists, click here.
Interesting that President Obama is looking to support this effort with an agency. I wonder how that would work? While I’m glad this is on his radar, I don’t see the government as the best support mechanism for anything venture capital related. McKinley (I believe) said that it if government would go away tomorrow, it would take the American people 6 month to realize it. Given that, I find it hard to believe that the government could really add value in the time necessary for a business to get off the ground.
But I’d love to hear more on the topic.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I agree with your ideas about the government agency. I don’t see how an agency will promote some online businesses they deem “socially conscience”.
best,
Chris O.
Referral Key
“Your Trusted Referral Network”
April 20th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Year Up is an excellent model for this Social Entreprenueur list. A for-profit model fulfilling a social gap (disenfranchised youth needing opportunities matched with business needing qualified employees filing a need).
The numbers speak for themselves.
John
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
The best way to find growth capital is to apply to a venture summit where you can speed pitch your ideas to several investors face-to-face in a single day. One such example is The Speed Venture Summit, the premier speed-dating-style event for fast-growth businesses and investors in New England. http://www.speedventuresummit.org; and follow the virtual discussion at Twitter #SVSNE
March 7th, 2010 at 9:11 am
While I’m glad this is on his radar, I don’t see the government as the best support mechanism for anything venture capital related. McKinley (I believe) said that it if government would go away tomorrow
July 5th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
me and my friends have been into venture capital investments and so far the income is great.;**
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:00 am
Venture Capital is always risky but if market research had been done correctly, you will earn a lot.;.
June 13th, 2011 at 9:31 am
I am not seeing the government being the best support mechanism for anything like this. I have actually read about a great referral marketing, https://www.referralkey.com/, and I really think you’ll be interested with this as well…
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