During the Ashoka changemaker week in Paris last week there was one particular social entrepreneur that still remains in my mind. He gave a short intro during one speaker session. His name is Arnoud Raskin, Founder of Mobile Schools and Streetwize. Mobile Schools develops innovative education programs that enhance the qualities of resourcefulness that underprivileged…
Category: social impact
Envision the World Cup in Brazil to make more social entrepreneurship happen
Brazil? If you mention Brazil in these days people start to discuss and talk about the World Cup: football games, teams, players, interviews, discussions on goal decisions … How many of us would like to be there and to support our teams and enjoy the atmosphere of Brazilian lifestyles, parties, dancing. Vivid discussions, colorful pictures…
Core business and its little sister called social
When I talk to colleagues about social needs and social entrepreneurship, about making profit not just in terms of money, but also social profit, the reactions are most of all very positive. People like these ideas, independent from which kind of career level they have reached. The meaningfulness of acting and changing for a better…
Good business needs good investors
Deciding whether a business is good or bad seems to be simple. At a first sight, but then…But what does it mean, a ‘good’ business? Good return, responsible handling? How much of what? 50:50? 20:80? 80:20? Ever thought what kind implications a ‘good’ business have? Thoughts around the good and bad business A business without…
Real change needs many bricks
Do you have identified very clearly a social need in our society? Do you have created a solution for a particular problem? Maybe a first result or even success is visible. You could convince some investors and help some people. Maybe you have been working on it for several years already and an entire group…
Mobile phones give access to local healthcare
The use of mobile phones has reached every part of this world. Also in the most rural areas of developing countries there are people who own a mobile and use it whenever possible. Before any domestic machine, any health insurance, any solution for the most essential needs is in place a mobile device will arrive…
Why social entrepreneurs need more socializing
There are a lot of good initiatives ongoing in several parts of the world. Some of them are more social driven, others has also a sustainable financial business model behind. However, what is often underestimated is the aspect of involving people from ‘outside’ actively and making them part of the implementation, be it on site,…
Change the world: Give women a mobile!
Empowering women and helping them to improve their condition can lead to enormous social progress. Often women start their own business if they get an opportunity, e.g. via a micro credit. I have met some of them and it is astonishing to see how this changed their lives: they invest in activities that ensure a…
Social entrepreneurship? Should be more than a trend
Normally, in the morning I read a few articles on social entrepreneurship. Best practice ideas, interesting people with a lot of out- of-the-box thinking from India, US, Europe, Africa. There are many impressive stories and a lot of really engaged social entrepreneurs around. Their stories are inspiring, eye-openers… Additionally, I read articles on social entrepreneurship…
Traffic and rickshaws in India – a chance for social entrepreneurs
The traffic situation in many big and small cities in India is critical. Just in Mumbai, every day 250 (!) more cars join the streets. Often you stick into traffic jams and 3 km can easily take more than an hour. Better not thinking of all the – at least for Europeans – apparently dangerous…
Go India, go future! 