One who is driven by benefits to the community, instead of profits, is a social entrepreneur.This one line definition sums it up. Let’s further decipher the subject with an example. One college pass-out builds a mobile application where homosexuals can register and find a match for them. The registration and subsequent use of the application involves charges to be paid to the developer. This is a typical example of for-profit entrepreneurship; nevertheless, startups like Grindr and Romeo working in this domain, provide some help to the hitherto underserved section of the society, the LGBTs.
Another graduate builds a website which can serve as a one-stop solution for farmers with respect to best agricultural practices that are sustainable as well as rewarding. Here, users do not pay to use the services but benefit from the information they access. This is one of many examples of social entrepreneurship. Other agritech startups include AgriApp, FarmBee and Iffco Kisan.
Why we cited technology-backed examples is for a purpose. Though a brick and mortar structure serving as a counselling centre for women subjected to domestic violence also falls under social entrepreneurship, the contemporary settings are inclined more towards tech startups. And there is a reason to this as well. Technology cuts short time needed for intervention, for example a notification on farmer’s mobile, educating him on how to prepare organic manure, is both time and resource saving as against a manual intervention.
Does this motivate you as well? If you are still thinking that a social entrepreneur may not earn money at all from her venture, it is not quite so. Not-for-profit organisations receive funds both from government and non-government sources. But for this to happen and happen in a sustainable manner, the social entrepreneurial project must tangibly bring the change it promises. Secondly, not all social entrepreneurs undertake social ventures as their only occupation. Many B-school graduates have become a social entrepreneur alongside their other work commitments.
Need example? A venture named Think India has on its advisory board professors from premier B-schools who devote some of their time in taking the social initiative of national reconstruction forward. Think India has immensely contributed towards promoting social harmony and motivating and supporting the initiatives to inculcate India-centric action, designs in addition to uplifting rural Bharat and supporting gender justice.Likewise, many regular entrepreneurs have either funded or are partially involved in helping set up social ventures in the fields of prevention of wastage of food, connecting communities for easy and timely access to donated blood, encouraging and signing up people for organ donation and numerous other projects serving the community at large.
Moreover, the goals of social entrepreneurship aren’t only social. Such ventures impact the nation and economy for good. For example, a tech startup for assisting farmers with respect to sustainable farm practices leads to increased farm output and reduced dependence on harmful fertilizers thus having an environmental plus as well. Many analysts have projected faster economic growth given that companies increase the share of women in their workforce. Hence, a social entrepreneur working towards skill development of rural women is indirectly contributing to economic growth besides women empowerment.
Being a social entrepreneur isn’t complicated, it only seeks will.
Suvipra aggregates essential blogs in one place for enhancing general awareness and intellect of the readers.
Reach a wider audience for free!
To get your blog published on Suvipra.com, click Submit Your Blog
Increase the number of clicks to your own website for free!
To submit the link to the blog on your website, click Submit Your Blog Link
