Impact Curator
The best insights, opportunities, resources & events I come across every day.
Straight to your inbox twice a month!
2024
- What lobsters can teach us about transitions (issue 87)
- Careful what you wish for (issue 86)
- The only thing worse than going through a difficult time (issue 85)
- Unreasonable Thinking (issue 84)
- Simple Pleasures (issue 83)
- Cut the coffee, cue the excitement (issue 82)
- Are you ambitious? (issue 81)
- The trouble with consistency (issue 80)
- The Parent Trap (issue 79)
- Good Things Take Time (issue 78)
2023
The Storytellers
The Quitters: Quitting the infinite game of ecosystem building
2022
Social Capital: Building trust and managing conflict in entrepreneurial ecosystems
Burn both ends: The mental, physical & emotional toll of ecosystem building
- Burn both ends (part 1)
- You do you (part 2)
- Slow your roll (part 3)
- Upgrade your toolkit (Summer Skills Session)
- Shut up and listen (Summer Skills Session)
- The limits of productivity (Summer Skills Session)
- Fall convenings
The slow and complex nature of driving systems change
Drop me a line!
Do you have any questions specific to Impact Curator? Do you have a resource that you think should be featured here? Get in touch!
December 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
"Building and nurturing ecosystems for social change requires a certain mindset and skills and a robust mental and emotional foundation. I have interviewed more than a hundred ecosystem builders for social change (meet them here and here). What I took away from these conversations is that effective ecosystem builder are:
- Champions, cheerleaders and resource connectors, who identify
- Systemic gaps, solutions and stakeholders
- Serving their local community selflessly with the goal of creating
- Long-term and systemic change."
In my latest Insights piece Unlocking Ecosystem Building, I discuss the personal resilience, mental and emotional foundation of effective ecosystem builders.
To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Incubating Incubators COHORT 2.3 | Villgro
Incubating Incubators is a three-month program during which incubators will receive one-on-one mentoring, access to Villgro's technology platform VITALS, Incubation Playbook, and the opportunity to pitch to donors, investors at the concluding event - the Grand Demo Day. Are you an Incubator looking for mentoring support, expert insight and access to donors and investors? Apply now to Incubating Incubators (Deadline: 31 December 2021)
- Global Scale Up X | MIT D-lab
Global Scale Up X is a new global community for female entrepreneurs. It features weekly fundraising opportunities and actionable tips from female founders who have successfully raised VC money for their businesses. Join today!
resources
- Ecosystems for Change is a podcast for budding and seasoned ecosystem builders. Save the date for the launch of season 1 on January 11. Subscribe here to be on my first-to-know list!
- Yunus Social Business and the IKEA Foundation just published their Enterprise Support Landscape Study capturing views from social-business entrepreneurs and ecosystem support-providers, highlighting gaps in the social-business support landscape and proposing actionable solutions
- Ecosystems in Action: Watch the practitioner sessions with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders (recordings)
- Linking and Leveraging Assets in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems to Address Challenges and Crises
- Building a Cross-Sector Regional Coalition to Strengthen Ecosystem Collaboration
- Using a Collective Impact Model to Mobilize a City’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem to Boost Economic Recovery
- What We Know About Cultivating Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Entrepreneurial ecosystems comprise the set of cultural, political, and economic elements that allow entrepreneurs to start, sustain, and scale a new business. This report synthesizes the existing evidence on the complex process of building entrepreneurial ecosystems and offers key lessons from the literature. This report is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
Events
- January 19, 2022: “Ethical Growth Marketing” - a new approach to help you sustain your own growth
- January 21, 2022: InBIA Advanced Leadership Summit (virtual)
- February 9, 2022: Engaging Everyone: Accessibility as Sustainability, Radically Rural
- February 24, 2022: Ecosystem Building 101 Masterclass
- April 4-6, 2022: Startup Champions Network Summit in Durham, North Carolina
- April 11-13, 2022: Rural Rise Conference in Emporia, Kansas - Stay tuned for more details!
- May 16-18, 2022: Main Street Now Conference in Richmond, Virginia
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- CORI/RISI are hiring for several positions so if you're as excited as I am about rural innovation and entrepreneurship, check out their most recent job listings!
- My friends are Forward Cities are hiring a
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
November 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- "It's so damn personal. I can say with a hand on my heart and the most sincere look into your eyes: The best, most effective ecosystem builders share a way of thinking that goes beyond what you can teach or train someone to do."
In my latest Insights piece Unlocking Ecosystem Building, I discuss the personal resilience, mental and emotional foundation of effective ecosystem builders.
To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Echoing Green is accepting applications for their next cohort of social entrepreneurs. Applications are due Tuesday, November 2.
- How to raise alternative funding launches on November 8. If you're a purpose-driven entrepreneur who wants to fundraise on your own terms, this course is for you! Use the discount code Social Venturers to get 10% off!
- Become Neighborhood Champion (US only) this holiday season by promoting small businesses in your community and encouraging your folks to shop small this Christmas! Apply by November 9 to join the American Express Neighborhood Champion.
- Acumen and the Rockefeller Foundation are bringing together systems leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset from across the world, who understand that it will take all of us to tackle the greatest food systems challenges of our time. Apply for their Food Systems Fellowship by December 1.
resources
- Ecosystems in Action: Watch the practitioner sessions with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders (recordings)
- Linking and Leveraging Assets in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems to Address Challenges and Crises
- Building a Cross-Sector Regional Coalition to Strengthen Ecosystem Collaboration
- Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2021
- The Social Procurement Manual: a practical guide to integrating social businesses into corporate value chains
- Doing Deeper Work: 3 Things To Learn About The Process Of Systems Change, World Economic Forum
- Fresh thoughts on ecosystem building in The Power of Ecosystems. Making Sense of a New Reality for Organizations.
- Unusual Talks [podcast] by Yunus Social Business
- Equitable Infrastructure: A resource framing infrastructure types using an equitable placemaking lens
Events
- November 2/3: Unstuck Masterclass by Step & Stone
- November 11: Impact Investing Learning Lab in LatAm 2021
- November 15-17: 2021 Innovation Ecosystem Summit, hosted by the US Small Business Administration
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- CORI/RISI are hiring for several positions so if you're as excited as I am about rural innovation and entrepreneurship, check out their most recent job listings!
- My friends are Forward Cities are hiring a
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
South America
- Yunus Social Business is looking for a leader with an amazing track record and who knows the Brazilian social-business ecosystem. Based in São Paulo, the new Managing Director Investments will be responsible for scaling the portfolio of Yunus Social Business Brazil to new heights.
October 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- "If local entrepreneurs start and sustain healthy businesses, they
- create jobs in the community,
- pay taxes locally increasing revenue for public spending, and
- build the entrepreneurial fabric of their community (knowingly or not)."
In my latest Insights piece Unlocking Entrepreneurship, I investigate and explain what makes entrepreneurship such a powerful vehicle to drive social change in our communities.
To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Are you a social enterprise that is intentional about supporting women's economic empowerment by working with women as leaders, employees, value chain contributors and/or customers? The Miller Center is launching a Women’s Economic Empowerment Accelerator in January 2022, but applications are due October 22, 2021. For details on minimum eligibility requirements and to apply for the program, click here.
resources
- Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2021
- The Social Procurement Manual: a practical guide to integrating social businesses into corporate value chains
- Doing Deeper Work: 3 Things To Learn About The Process Of Systems Change, World Economic Forum
- Fresh thoughts on ecosystem building in The Power of Ecosystems. Making Sense of a New Reality for Organizations.
- Unusual Talks [podcast] by Yunus Social Business
- Equitable Infrastructure: A resource framing infrastructure types using an equitable placemaking lens
Events
- October 4-8: Community Builders Summit
- October 5: The Power of Purchasing: Integrating Social Enterprises into Corporate Value Chains
- October 6: What if you could get a money-back guarantee when funding impact? Behind the World's First Social Impact Guarantee
- October 6: Gender Lens Investing in South Africa: Investor Showcase
- October 6-8: GSG Global Impact Summit 2021
- October 12: Strength in Numbers: The Power of Promise and Community
- October 12-14: Startup Champions Network Fall Summit, Des Moines, Iowa
- October 12-14: CHROMA 2021, the annual virtual conference organized by Black & Brown Founders
- October 14: Global Inclusive Growth Summit: Join a community of purpose-driven leaders for a virtual, day-long summit to take collective action towards rebuilding an economy that works for everyone, everywhere.
- October 25-26: InBIA's 2021 E.Builders Forum, Columbus, Ohio
- October 26-28: Beyond the Known conference brings together practitioners in the field of entrepreneurship and MSME promotion to foster a global community of practitioners, to facilitate exchange and peer learning in this domain. Participation is free.
- October 28: Invest for Better: Putting Your Money to Work for You and the World. Janine Firpo, author of Activate your Money, is hosting this one-hour workshop for anyone who is interested in aligning their assets with their values, even if all you have to invest is the money in your savings and checking accounts!
- November 2/3: Unstuck Masterclass by Step & Stone
- November 11: Impact Investing Learning Lab in LatAm 2021
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- CORI/RISI are hiring for several positions so if you're as excited as I am about rural innovation and entrepreneurship, check out their most recent job listings!
- My friends are Forward Cities are hiring a
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
South America
- Yunus Social Business is looking for a leader with an amazing track record and who knows the Brazilian social-business ecosystem. Based in São Paulo, the new Managing Director Investments will be responsible for scaling the portfolio of Yunus Social Business Brazil to new heights.
September 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- “We can redesign the system in more nuanced ways into a system that works for all of us and in which value is complex and holistic instead of this one-dimensional, capitalist goal that is ruining our systems for the majority of people” I have been thinking a lot about how we might better understand, demonstrate and communicate the value we create as entrepreneurial ecosystem builders. In my new Insights piece Value:Redefined, I dive deeper into the value conversation with six other Social Venturers.
- To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- The Cox Social Impact Accelerator is looking for innovative startups to drive community impact.
- Applications are open for the second cohort of Resource, a program to help support BIPOC-led incubators and accelerators
- Main Street America launched Backto.Biz, a free online learning program created to help small businesses develop knowledge and skills to accelerate their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
- The Value Web is hosting their first Systems Leaders Academy in September: an intensive virtual, cohort-based training for leaders, changemakers and innovators who work on vexing systemic problems that can only be addressed using a collaborative approach
resources
- The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is publishing on Ecosystem Building Practice Briefs (EN/ES):
- Brief 1: Linking and Leveraging Assets in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems to Address Challenges and Crises/ Vincular y Aprovechar Activos en Ecosistemas Empresariales para Abordar Retos y Crisis
- Brief 2: Building a Cross-Sector Regional Coalition to Strengthen Ecosystem Collaboration/ Construyendo Una Coalición Intersectorial Regional Para Fortalecer La Colaboración En El Ecosistema Empresarial
- Ashoka Germany just published "Das hat System. Wie soziale Innovationen gesellschaftliche Strukturen verändern." [German only]
Events
- September 9: Bring Impact to the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, hosted by Zebras Unite Edinburgh & Tim Hartley from Scotland Can B
- September 9: Show 'em your stripes- how to find investors that match your mission, Zebras Unite London
- September 16: Invest for Better: Putting Your Money to Work for You and the World
- September 20-21: Rural Rise Annual Summit
- September 29 - October 1: CLIIQ NEXUS Latam
- October 6-8: GSG Global Impact Summit 2021
- October 12-14: Startup Champions Network Fall Summit, Des Moines, Iowa
- October 12-14: CHROMA 2021, the annual virtual conference organized by Black & Brown Founders
- October 14: Global Inclusive Growth Summit: Join a community of purpose-driven leaders for a virtual, day-long summit to take collective action towards rebuilding an economy that works for everyone, everywhere.
- October 25-26: InBIA's 2021 E.Builders Forum, Columbus, Ohio
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- Inclusive Capital Collective (ICC) are hiring an Entrepreneur in Residence! He/she/they will drive the development of the ICC products, services and business model. Read the full job description here, and apply here!
- CORI/RISI are hiring for several positions so if you're as excited as I am about rural innovation and entrepreneurship, check out their most recent job listings!
- My friends are Forward Cities are hiring a
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
Europe-based
- Ashoka Germany are looking for a trainee to join their social entrepreneurship team!
July 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- “You don’t solve a complex system. It never finishes. It is permanently unfolding, the work is never complete, and there is no objective definition of success.” This quote from The Startup Community Way really got my wheels turning. Thinking in complex adaptive systems makes us better entrepreneurial ecosystem builders. Find out how in my latest Insights piece Complexity as a Mindset.
- To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Mark your calendars! Enrolment for Danielle Anderson's signature program Simplicity starts at July 26 and closes that Friday, July 30!
- Nilima Achwal at The Female Founders Lab is recruiting the next cohort of purpose-driven female founders to join her program Pitch Lab.
Resources
- 7 lessons on building an inclusive accelerator via Science Center’s Launch Lane, Technical.ly
- We closed a social enterprise support organisation. Now what? Krisztina Tora
- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) has launched an online course Community Colleges as Incubators of Innovation
Events
- July 7: Ecosystem Building 101 (Social Venturers Masterclass*)
- July 13-15: Futuremakers Forum 2021
- July 27: Planning on Purpose. A free workshop to help you plan the rest of 2021 with the talented Danielle Anderson!
- August 10-12: Accelerating the Accelerators: Thriving Forward. Join purpose-first ESO leaders; accelerators, incubators, competitions, and fellowships from around the globe to learn, collaborate and create the next generation of thriving founders, organizations and support for innovation toward a better world in 2021 and beyond.
- September 20-21: Rural Rise Annual Summit
- October 6-8: GSG Global Impact Summit 2021
- October 12-14: Startup Champions Network Fall Summit, Des Moines, Iowa
- October 14: Global Inclusive Growth Summit: Join a community of purpose-driven leaders for a virtual, day-long summit to take collective action towards rebuilding an economy that works for everyone, everywhere.
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- AnswersNow, a tech-enabled social enterprise supporting families and caregivers of children with autism are looking for a head of growth.*
- The Skoll Foundation is looking for a Digital Platform Manager in Palo Alto, California
- Encircled, a sustainable fashion brand based in Toronto is looking to fill several roles.*
- My friends at The Resolution Project are hiring a full time program manager in New York City.*
*If you're applying, let them know that Anika sent you 😉
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
Europe-based
- The good people at Impact Hub Berlin are recruiting for several positions!
- Yunus Social Business is growing their team with three new roles!
June 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- "How much you work is not a yardstick for how valuable you are as a human, impact maker, or ecosystem builder." In my new Insights post Martyr in Recovery, I share why we tend to overwork ourselves in the name of social change and how I changed course to avoid burnout.
- To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- The Global Good Fund is accepting applications for their 10th cohort of Fellows.
- The Rural Innovation Initiative is accepting scholarships applications for their technical assistance program: Up to 4 scholarships will be granted to rural communities of color and those communities committed to ensuring their digital economic development efforts are equitable, and serve their local BIPOC populations.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration just launched a new Growth Accelerator and SBIR Catalyst competition with $5MM+ in prizes for incubators, accelerators & other support organizations with impactful & inclusive approaches for supporting STEM/R&D entrepreneurs (closes July 2).
- Uncharted is reimagining the food system to be sustainable, equitable, and efficient together with Chipotle. If you're a (social) entrepreneur who works in this area, or your know one, check out the Chipotle Aluminaries Project!
Resources
- "How IMPAQTO Is Redefining Social Entrepreneurship In South America" Forbes feature on the great work Social Venturer Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter is doing in Ecuador
- I am SO excited about this forthcoming book: Recast your city: How to save your downtown with small scale manufacturing. If this is up your alley, pre-order this book!
- Main Street America just published an online resource center for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders.
- The Global Accelerator Learning Initiative (GALI) just published two new reports:
- Does Acceleration Work? Five years of evidence from the Global Accelerator Learning Initiative.
- A Rocket or a Runway? Examining Venture Growth during and after Acceleration
Events
- June 2: Rooted in Purpose (Social Venturers Masterclass*)
- June 2, 12.00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. EST: Racism and the Economy. Focus on Entrepreneurship
- June 8: 3 p.m. EST: The Possibility Project invites you to join their online discussion on Talent Justice.
- June 22-23: East Africa Impact Days
- June 23: Burnout Proof (Social Venturers Masterclass*)
- June 23-25: Policy Summit 2021: Pathways to Economic Resilience in our Communities
- July 7: Ecosystem Building 101 (Social Venturers Masterclass*)
- August 10-12: Accelerating the Accelerators: Thriving Forward. Join purpose-first ESO leaders; accelerators, incubators, competitions, and fellowships from around the globe to learn, collaborate and create the next generation of thriving founders, organizations and support for innovation toward a better world in 2021 and beyond.
- September 20-21: Rural Rise Annual Summit
*In the first masterclass (June 2), we’ll hone in on your purpose before designing a values-aligned lifestyle in session 2 (June 23). Make the most of this experience and save $100 by grabbing the Impact Double!
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- Social Capital Partners is hiring their next Director of Policy and Public Affairs, based in Toronto, Canada.
- Techstars Sustainability Accelerator in partnership with The Nature Conservancy is hiring a Program Manager.
- Uncharted his hiring*
*If you're applying, let them know that Anika sent you 😉
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
Europe-based
- ChangemakerXchange is hiring a Programmes Lead in Berlin.
May 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- "I tried to fit a day at the spa, a family day, a meditation retreat and productive work day all into ONE SINGLE DAY." Read my very personal piece about the relationship between our ego and our purpose: The Purpose Gap
- To see what is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Atlas Corps seeks emerging leaders 23-35 years old to apply for a paid Fellowship beginning in late 2021 or early 2022 in the United States! Atlas Corps engages professionals from around the world committed to #socialchange in 12-18 month fellowships with organizations to learn best practices, build organizational capacity, and return home to create a network of global leaders. Apply by May 16.
- The next cohort of Danielle Anderson’s 10-week business accelerator Simplicity – for business owners who want to grow their revenue and impact – starts in August. Get on the waitlist and let her know I sent you!
- Uncharted is reimagining the food system to be sustainable, equitable, and efficient together with Chipotle. If you're a (social) entrepreneur who works in this area, or your know one, check out the Chipotle Aluminaries Project!
- The Roddenberry Foundation is calling all organizers, community leaders, and change makers to apply for the 2022 Roddenberry Fellowship that offers participants
- $50k in funding
- One-on-one coaching and development opportunities
- Ongoing support
- A community of peers who share resources and expertise
Resources
- ClimateRaise is a newsletter that showcases climate startups led by female founders and connects them with climate ecosystem stakeholders. Sign up at www.climateraise.com if:
- you are a female founder and want to be connected to investors and stakeholders
- you are an investor or climate ecosystem stakeholder and want to connect to top female-led climate founders
- Social Entrepreneurship Network Austria (SENA) just published their first Social Entrepreneurship Monitor! Find out what's happening in the Austrian social enterprise ecosystem! [German]
- Strengthening Open Social Innovation in Germany, Lessons from #WirvsVirus, Hertie School of Governance (policy brief)
- Scaling social impact: Duke’s Fuqua School of Business just launched Scaling Pathways, a collection of tools and resources to help social entrepreneurs and investors scale their impact.
- Strategy and Finance for the lifecycle of a social business (Coursera online course)
- A bit of an hommage to Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of Acumen. Listen to her interview on the Tim Ferris podcast, read her book The Manifesto to a Moral Revolution and participate in her accompanying online course The Path to a Moral Revolution (if you order the book here, you get FREE access to this course!)
Events
- May 10: Vienna UP (April 27 – May 12) special event: We impact together. Building inclusive ecosystems by Zebras Unite Vienna
- May 12: Forward Cities is hosting a webinar about their E3 Scorecard: How Programs Power Entrepreneurial Ecosystems.
- May 13: Protagoniste Network is hosting a working session to help entrepreneurs learn how to connect with your users or beneficiaries to better understand their lived experience. Register for Talking with Strangers.
- May 26-27: European Social Economy Summit (virtual)
- June 2: Rooted in Purpose (Social Venturers Masterclass*)
- June 2, 12.00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. EST: Racism and the Economy. Focus on Entrepreneurship
- June 23: Burnout Proof (Social Venturers Masterclass*)
- August 10-12: Accelerating the Accelerators: Thriving Forward. Join purpose-first ESO leaders; accelerators, incubators, competitions, and fellowships from around the globe to learn, collaborate and create the next generation of thriving founders, organizations and support for innovation toward a better world in 2021 and beyond.
- September 20-21: Rural Rise Annual Summit
*In the first masterclass (June 2), we’ll hone in on your purpose before designing a values-aligned lifestyle in session 2 (June 23). Make the most of this experience and save $100 by grabbing the Impact Double!
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- The Center on Rural Innovation & Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. are looking for one generalist (Broadband Analyst) – no need to have any subject matter expertise – and one person (Broadband Consultant) with subject matter expertise related to the provision of broadband service, networking, operations, or planning, or a related field such as electric utilities or other telecommunications infrastructure (Thank you Brett Ellis)
- Uncharted his looking for an External Relationships Manager
For more U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
April 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- Part 7 of my 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101 is live! In #7 Start. Be patient. we talk about how to stay motivated when change feels incremental and what to focus on instead, I’ll be sharing highlights from my findings throughout the month of March over Social Venturers’ Instagram!
- To see what else is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
- In our second session for Impact Solopreneurs, we talked about how to gain more clarity and focus when working in the social impact space. Read all about it in my recent blogpost!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Fired Up and Focused. This 10-day challenge hosted by Racheal Cook is a tried and tested opportunity to improve your focus and become more productive in your day-to-day. Highly recommend! Register by April 14!
- Want even more focus? Servane Mouazan is offering her 3-month signature program Embrace your Focus starting in May! Register by April 30!
- If you are, or know, a social entrepreneur in India, Brazil or Colombia, Yunus Social Business wants to hear how the pandemic impacted your business! They’re researching the needs of social-businesses entrepreneurs in these geographies in collaboration with the IKEA Foundation, and carrying out a survey to better understand your needs as a social business. Survey participants are also in with a chance to win exclusive, in-depth mentorship and advisory calls with their local investment teams.
- Challenge 2021 helps German social entrepreneurs re-envision their venture for a post-pandemic world.
- The next cohort of Danielle Anderson’s 10-week business accelerator Simplicity – for business owners who want to grow their revenue and impact – opens in May. Get on the waitlist!
- Echoing Green are opening up their fellowship applications for emerging social entrepreneurs on April 6!
Kudos!
- Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter was recently featured in Forbes in an article about the Oprah Effect – How brands on the edge can change their future.
- Andrea Gamson and Bistra Kumbaroska were named among the top 100 women in social enterprise in Europe.
Resources
- Strengthening Open Social Innovation in Germany, Lessons from #WirvsVirus, Hertie School of Governance (policy brief)
- Scaling social impact: Duke’s Fuqua School of Business just launched Scaling Pathways, a collection of tools and resources to help social entrepreneurs and investors scale their impact.
Events
- April 7: Blue Heart Insight Series – Part I: Grassroots Movements Today
- April 8: Smashing your fear of failure, Protagoniste network
- April 8: HBR Live: Leaders who make a difference. Driving purpose and profit in an uncertain world.
- April 13-15: Skoll World Forum (virtual)
- April 14-16: Shift (virtual): A collaborative virtual event from featuring some of the most passionate players in the social and environmental impact space rallying to make business a force for positive change.
- April 15: Rural Rise Broadband mini-summit
- April 23: Storytelling as a Tool for Community Building (Social Venturers Masterclass)
- April 26-30: InBIA annual conference
- May 10: Vienna UP (April 27 – May 12) special event: We impact together. Building inclusive ecosystems by Zebras Unite Vienna
- May 26-27: European Social Economy Summit (virtual)
- June 2: Rooted in Purpose (Social Venturers Masterclass)
- September 20-21: Rural Rise Annual Summit
Jobs
U.S.+-based
For U.S.-based jobs, sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
Europe-based
- Impact Hub Berlin is hiring their next Sales and Partnerships Manager.
- Reach for a Change are recruiting a program officer for their team in Bulgaria!
March 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- Part 6 of our 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101 is live! #6 Tell your Community’s Authentic Story is chockfull of advice straight from the field. Ecosystem builders spill the beans about how they approach storytelling in their communities and share plenty of their favorite examples. I’ll be sharing highlights from my findings throughout the month of March over Social Venturers’ Instagram!
- To see what else is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Update Deutschland: I HAVE to give a shout-out to my home country for putting changemakers on the map! Following the to-date world’s largest hackathon to counteract the crisis caused by the pandemic in March 2020 (you may have read about #WirVsVirusHackthon), Germany is launching another hackathon to help address Germany’s greatest social issues: Update Deutschland.
- The Refinery is a Queensland-based incubator for early-stage impact-driven businesses. Applications are now open.
- Start 2 Imagine is an event series for Germany-based emerging social innovators and entrepreneurs.
- Are you a social INTRApreneur, or do you know one? Then don’t miss this opportunity to participate – or nominate a social intrapreneur – in Yunus Social Business’ current study on social intrapreneurship. Spread the word!
Resources
- IDEO U just published their 2021 Career Growth Guide. Check it out!
- Local entrepreneurship ecosystems and emerging industries: Case study of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, United Kingdom; OECD.
- Erik Stam at Utrecht University created a mini-course on entrepreneurial ecosystems – free to all.
- tbd* are hosting their first Resilience Fellowship for German-speaking changemakers.
Events
- February 17 – March 18: The Sullivan Foundation is hosting a new series of free masterclasses for emerging agents of change.
- March 2-4: Virtual Sankalp Africa Summit
- March 8-9: SheEO Virtual Summit
- March 9 & May 4: Indigenous Voice: Engaging our community in the co-design process (virtual workshops)
- March 10: Undoing and Healing Colonial Conditioning, Possibility Project
- March 11: What Will It Take to Build a Truly Inclusive Economy? Free Shift conversation (see below for the main event)
- March 18: Defining your impact opportunity (virtual workshop) by Protagoniste Network
- March 17: Scale your impact, not your organization (virtual workshop)
- March 19-21: Update Deutschland
- March 24: Find out what’s going on in the social enterprise space in Central Eastern Europe at this year’s Back to the future with impact!
- April 13-15: Skoll World Forum (virtual)
- April 14-16: Shift (virtual): A collaborative virtual event from featuring some of the most passionate players in the social and environmental impact space rallying to make business a force for positive change.
- April 15: Rural Rise Broadband mini-summit
- April 26-30: InBIA annual conference
- May 26-27: European Social Economy Summit (virtual)
- September 20-21: Rural Rise Annual Summit
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- The Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society is recruiting for two open positions: Program Manager – Digital Civil Society Lab and Associate Director of Research, Civic Life of Cities Lab.
- Kiva is looking for their next US Partners Success manager based in New York City.
- National Geographic is hiring their next Senior Program Officer for Storytelling in Washington, D.C.
- The Center on Rural Innovation and their partner organization Rural Innovation Strategies Inc. are looking to fill a number of incredible roles! Pssst… I interviewed Matt Dunne not long ago so if you want to learn more about ecosystem building in rural America, get caught up!
- Harvard Business School is hiring a Director of Diversity and Inclusion for their MBA & Doctoral Programs in Boston, MA.
- Social Capital Partners are hiring an Associate/Senior Associate, Investments in Toronto, Canada.
- Greenshield Canada are looking for a new Social Impact Measurement Partner in Canada (remote role).
- Certified B Corp Fiix is hiring for a bunch of exciting roles in Canada!
Sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
Europe-based
- TolaData is hiring a Digital Solutions Consultant in Tech4Good for their Berlin office.
- :reponse in Frankfurt, Germany, is hiring a senior sustainability consultant.
Africa-based
- IDEO.org are hiring for a Managing Director Partnerships and Strategy in Nairobi.
- Teach for All is looking for a Network Engagement Director-Strategy and Learning based in Kenya, remote possible.
February 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- Part 5 of our 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101 is live! #5 Connect People sheds more light on how we might better connect players in our entrepreneurial ecosystems bottom-up, top-down, inside-out, etc. I’ll be sharing highlights from my findings throughout the month of February over Social Venturers’ Instagram!
- Based on my conversations over the last few months, I gained some new insights into how we define value in our work at the intersection of social entrepreneurship and ecosystem building: I’m excited to share them with you in my new post Value: Redefined and can’t wait to hear what you think!
- To see what else is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Self-employed and impact-driven? This is your last chance to join our global alliance of freelance impact makers: Impact Solopreneurs. Registration closes Friday, February 5th!
- SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, and other sponsors to provide several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs. Learn more about their startup grant.
- ClimateTech Innovators is accepting applications for any climatetech ventures looking for support!
- 1863‘s 3R’s Grant Program helps for-profit businesses navigate the short term uncertainty driven by COVID-19 in order to overcome the persistent structural barriers faced due to race and/or gender. Joining this online program you’ll reevaluate your business models, pivot where necessary, set a targeted growth strategy, and execute with a clear roadmap.
- The American Chamber of Commerce in Germany is seeking nominations for female founders in Germany for their Female Founders Award. Know an outstanding female German entrepreneur? Nominate her!
- DFS Labs is hosting a COVID-19 Innovation Sprint that aims to unearth, develop, and refine FinTech solutions that directly address the pandemic in Egypt.
- B Academics just opened their doors to their membership for educators, researchers and academics with an interested in the B Corp movement.
- Bridges for Enterprise is a global community of students and professors at the University of Cambridge providing pro-bono advice to social entrepreneurs seeking to grow their ventures, creating a more inclusive and sustainable future. Social entrepreneurs can now apply to their free incubation program.
Resources
- The Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit just published a new ebook on entrepreneurial ecosystems.
- Our good friend Jeff Bennett just published a new post about how we might better engage our startup communities during COVID-19.
- Ashoka just published their report New Allies: How governments can unlock the potential of social entrepreneurs for the common good.
- Solopreneur for Impact Sonya Dreizler just published her advice on what to do about the lack of diversity at financial services events.
- PwC and the World Economic Forum just published Upskilling for shared prosperity, urging bold action on upskilling to create inclusive economies and societies (thank you Scott Gillespie!)
- Hello Alice gathered a comprehensive resource directory for Black entrepreneurs in celebration of Black History Month.
Events
- February 2: Resiliency, Drive and Commitment: Why Survivors Make the Best Entrepreneurs – a virtual roundtable hosted by Techstars.
- February 4: Role of Minority Entrepreneurs in Rebuilding NYC Post-COVID – a virtual discussion hosted by the New School featuring Social Venturer Esmeralda Herrera.
- February 11: The Impact Investment Readiness Journey – an online workshop for social entrepreneurs looking for impact investment, hosted by Social Impact Hub Sydney, Australia (consider the time difference!)
- March 2-4: Virtual Sankalp Africa Summit (virtual)
- April 13-15: Skoll World Forum (virtual)
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- Blueprint Local are looking to fill several positions.
- Sesame Workshop (yup, the good people behind Sesame Street!) are looking for their next Director of International Research and Education.
- Forum for the Future is seeking a Senior Global Development Manager for their New York office, remote possible.
- The Foundation for Puerto Rico is filling several positions in Puerto Rico.
- Oregon State University is looking for their next Innovation Lab Manager.
- The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is hiring a program officer for their Heartland Capital program.
- The Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is filling a number of roles around the world.
- KIVA is hiring their next Director of Impact Investor Relations in New York City (remote possible).
- The Circulate Initiative is looking for a Research Director and Director of Operations and Strategy.
Sign up for A Force For Good to get curated social impact jobs straight to your inbox!
Europe-based
- Scholz & Friends Reputation are hiring a CSR-consultant for their Berlin office.
- Our friends at Yunus Social Business are looking for a Global Investment & Portfolio Manager in Berlin.
January 2021 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- Part 4 of our 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101 is live! #4 Live the Values discusses how ecosystem builders around the world uncover the values in their communities, lead through them, and what happens when those values are misaligned.
- To see what else is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- Self-employed and impact-driven? Join a global alliance of freelance impact makers to support your business growth and personal development in 2021: Impact Solopreneurs.
- Our friends at tbd* are recruiting participants for their next cohort of the Purpose Fellowship.
- Bethnal Green Ventures (UK) are accepting applications for their next cohort of tech for good startups. £30k of investment plus programming and a community of founders and investors. Applications close soon!
- Pharrell Williams (yes THE Pharrell Williams) just announced the launch of a prize in support of New Majority entrepreneurs.
- Social Starter (Germany) is accepting applications for their upcoming 6-month support program for fledgling social entrepreneurs.
- Microsoft is supporting social entrepreneurs through funding, technology support and a network of supporters. check out Microsoft Global Social Entrepreneurship.
- Every two weeks, Ashoka USA is hosting a series of Zoom conversations – Welcome Change – with social entrepreneurs from around the world to hear what’s working and what they’re seeing in the space.
Resources
- Learn about social intrapreneurship with Yunus Social Business at their free webinar on January 21, 2021.
- Calling all funders, philanthropists, impact investors, and visionaries in the public sector! If you are a champion of systems change, The School for Systems Change has a three-module program for you: Investors in Change.
- I recently came across Breaking Down Barriers: A podcast for entrepreneurship community practitioners and I can’t recommend it enough. Hear from experts like Victor Hwang, Dell Gines and other what they’re seeing at the front line of entrepreneurial ecosystem building!
Events
- Social Venturer Christina Marie Noel is hosting a free webinar on January 6, 2021, at 12.30 p.m. EST to help you build and grow your business in 2021.
- Calling all solopreneurs in the social impact space! We are hosting a FREE global meetup for anyone who is self-employed and working to make a difference in the world! Join us January 26th, 11 a.m. EST / 4 p.m. GMT / 5 p.m. CET!
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- The Full Frame Initiative is looking for a Director of the Wellbeing Blueprint in Massachusetts, remote possible.
- Movement Law Lab is hiring a Managing Director in New York, remote possible.
- The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is growing quickly and filling a number of roles for their HQ in Hartland, Vermont, remote possible.
- Start Small Think Big is a non-profit on a mission to empower and catalyze under-resourced entrepreneurs. They are hiring a new Director of Research, Strategy and Impact for their New York location.
- The Climate Justice Alliance is looking for three Co-Executive Directors in California, remote possible.
- The Skoll Foundation is hiring a talent and engagement manager for their Palo Alto HQ, California.
- Imaginable Futures is seeking a principal to join the US investment team in D.C. (remote possible), primarily focused on investments, research, and movement building, including advocacy and strategic communications.
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems is hiring a Head of Movement Building in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Europe-based
- The Progressives Zentrum in Berlin is looking to fill four different roles [GERMANY]
- IMPACT partners are recruiting a DACH Investment Manager for their offices in Paris and Frankfurt/Main. Experienced in private equity, German as mother tongue, English fluent, French knowledge. [FRANCE/GERMANY]
December 2020 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- This week, I am hosting the last Fireside Chat in the 2020 season discussing ecosystem building principle #7 Start. Be patient.
- Masterclasses will return in 2021! Get on the waitlist!
- To see what else is happening at Social Venturers, read my latest logbook!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University is recruiting for its next online accelerator focused on social enterprises that support women’s #economicempowerment.
- Stanford Social Innovation Review is looking for experts in the field of data on purpose for their upcoming Data on Purpose conference, “Democracy, Civil Society, and Digital Technology.”
- The John Hopkins University’s Turner MIINT team is currently sourcing mission-driven businesses for a potential $50K investment. The business must already have a lead investor identified and be raising a maximum of $1.5m with a round open in April 2021. Deadline 10 December 2020.*
- The British Council is inviting applications for creative commissions which bring together art, science, and digital technology and offer innovative responses to climate change. The commissions will be part of the cultural program in the build up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November 2021. Deadline December 13, 2020.*
- VV GROW is a global business accelerator and leadership development program for women owners of small- and medium-sized businesses. It offers customized business skills training, leadership development, technical assistance, and access to networks. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until December 15 or until all participants are selected.*
- Innovations in Healthcare is now accepting referrals and nominations from digital and mental health with innovative models ready to scale their impact in global health. Deadline December 31, 2020.*
- The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship is searching for its next cohort of Skoll Scholars to study through the Oxford MBA in 2021-22. Deadline January 8, 2021.*
- Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya and other allies created Ensamble Artesano with the aim of promoting the productive activity of artisans in Mexico who have been affected by the uncertainty caused by social distancing measures due to the pandemic through formal value chains. Ensamble Artesano guarantees fair income to families and communities that preserve the heritage and cultural identity of the country.*
*Thank you ANDE for gathering and sharing these opportunities!
Resources
- The MIT D-Lab just published their partnership co-design toolkit for inclusive partnership models.
- How reframing a problem unlocks innovation, article by Tina Seelig
- The European Venture Philanthropy Association, EVPA, just published their Investing for Impact Toolkit to assist newcomers and early-stage investors for impact by providing an insight into ‘what works’ in the European impact ecosystem.
Events
- December 2, 2020: Race to Recovery, a dynamic interactive event convening diverse leaders from across the nation to articulate, discuss and emerge potential solutions to address systemic racism and inequities in the sectors of entrepreneurship and economic development – particularly as they have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- December 10, 2020: 1863 X AARP Innovation Labs Town Hall to learn how you can support black entrepreneurs
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- The Stockholm Energy Institute is hiring a project lead to grow their Climate and Energy Policy team.
- The Aspen Institute in D.C. is looking to fill their position of Communications Strategist and Manager.
- The University of Richmond, VA, is hiring a Director of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative.
- She Should Run is hiring a PR & Communications Director in D.C. NYC or as a remote full-time role.
- The Skoll Foundation is hiring a Network Manager in their Palo Alto, California, office.
- The Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is recruiting for several position, e.g. an executive assistant in D.C. and a research and data collection consultant in Mexico.
- Root Capital is looking for their next chief talent officer in Massachusetts.
Europe-based
- The Wellbeing Project is hiring a People and Culture Lead as well as a Wellbeing Summit Manager (Spain and/or France)
- Plan International is seeking a social finance associate in Woking, UK.
Asia & Africa-based
- Amani Institute is looking for their next Program Manager Leadership & Innovation Programs in India.
- One Acre Fund is looking for a Market Access Entrepreneur in either Nairobi, Kenya, or Kigali, Rwanda.
November 2020 edition
Social Venturers Insights
In-house insights from my research in the field
- Join us every second Thursday of the month (until December 3rd, 2020) at one of our Fireside Chats: peer-to-peer learning sessions for experienced ecosystem builders for social change! Upcoming dates & topics:
- November 5: Connect people bottom-up, top-down, outside-in etc.
- November 19: Tell authentic stories.
- December 3: Start. Be Patient.
- Foster Inclusive Conversations: part 2 of our 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101 is now live. Ecosystem builders for social change from Arkansas, Virginia, New Mexico, Arizona, Puerto Rico and Albania share how they foster inclusive conversations in their entrepreneurial communities:
- Want to see what else is cooking at Social Venturers? Head over to my monthly journal!
Opportunities for you and social entrepreneurs you know
- The CO.STARTERS Gift Guide is still accepting small businesses to be featured for the holiday season! Where are YOU buying your gifts this year? #supportsmallbusiness
- Trying to figure out how to combine social good and a viable business? Check out Stanford University‘s Impact Business Model Canvas!
- Feeling stuck as an entrepreneur? Find a new way forward for your small business in a two-hour interactive workshop by our friends at CO.STARTERS! Refocus, November 19, 2020.
Resources
- Cities and Businesses of Color: A Guide to Economic Growth: This guide for city leaders, economic development professionals, and ecosystem-builders shares principles, approaches, and stories of public servants and local partners to inspire action in your communities.
- Zebras Unite has been crowdcasting like there’s no tomorrow and I am loving all the content! Instead of your next Netflix binge, check out their recorded sessions on Crowdcast! For example, find out what a Zebra even is and download their community survey!
- I loved this short read about the importance of entrepreneurship for recovery from COVID-19. Victor Hwang, Entrepreneurship Is the Vaccine for Urban Economies in Bloomberg.
- At the same time, this: The pandemic is deterring women from becoming entrepreneurs.
- “37% of black women tech founders are building businesses in some of the fastest growing industries for startups that account for US$5 trillion in global market value.” Read The New Face of a Founder. Uncovering black women as the next billion dollar founders.
Events
- November 4-6, Restart with CO.STARTERS: 3-day series to learn how you can develop an entrepreneur support strategy that will rebuild, refresh, and restart your community
- November 10, Race to Recovery: a ‘selfie’ town hall and social hackathon uplifting the voices of a community of diverse ecosystem builders from across the U.S.
- November 12: BLD Southeast: B Corp leadership development
- November 16 – 22, Global Entrepreneurship Week
- November 17 – 19, Ashoka Changemaker Summit
Jobs
U.S.+-based
- Our friends at Forward Cities in Durham, N.C., are looking for a full-time research assistant with a strong understanding of systemic racism and inequities in the U.S.
- CO.STARTERS are looking for their next community manager. Location-flexible, great team and an exciting opportunity for anyone passionate about helping entrepreneurs and their communities thrive!
- The Center on Rural Innovation in the U.S. is looking to fill a number of exciting roles!
- The Skoll Foundation is looking for a Network Manager to join their team in Palo Alto, California!
- Arabella Advisors are seeking a Managing Director for the U.S. Midwest.
- The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment seeks a Director of Research and Education who has significant experience in the field of sustainable and impact investing (Washington, D.C.).
- BlackRock is looking for their next VP Corporate Sustainability in New York City.
- Peloton is looking for support in their social impact department!
- Mastercard Foundation is seeking their next Director for their Center for Inclusive Growth!
- IDEO U is looking for part-time Teaching Assistants to join their team.
- The African Visionary Fund is seeking a Co-Leader to work in partnership with its Executive Director, Katie Bunten-Wamaru, to deliver on the Fund’s vision of African changemakers having access to the resources they need to accelerate their impact and being recognized by funders as critical drivers of #systemschange on the continent.
Europe-based
- Our friends at Yunus Social Business are hiring for a number of positions in Berlin, Kampala and remotely!
- The Open Society Foundation (OSF)’s Economic Justice Program (EJP) seeks an Associate Investment Principal based in London, UK.
- ProjectTogether in Germany are hiring a Strategic Mission Lead!
Global
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- Are you excited about the investment opportunities hidden in emerging markets and want to work in an impact driven organization? Seedstars is looking to full a number of exciting positions around the world!
A special thank you to Rehana Nathoo and Cari Keller who share a lot of these opportunities through their channels!
A rising tide lifts all boats.