From tracking underwater creatures to optimising crop yields, many entrepreneurs now use AI to tackle environmental challenges. But, with much uncertainty – and concerns about AI’s negative impact – they’re entering unknown waters.
As Trump’s USA takes its eye off social impact, Europe’s venture capitalists stand at a decisive moment in history, concluded discussions at the latest FASE Impact Fire Talk. But capital strategies must evolve to unleash VCs’ true transformative power.
MY IMPACT CAREER: Amma Lartey, a long-time entrepreneur, has been a major force in growing the impact economy in West Africa, co-founding Social Enterprise Ghana and becoming the first CEO of Impact Investing Ghana.
Pioneers Post and NatWest are seeking out the brightest and best applicants for this year's NatWest SE100 Social Business Awards. Don't miss your chance to be counted among the UK's top social enterprises this year.
Three women took the lead in starting a new trade association for community finance. "None of our male colleagues felt in a position to take that risk", recalls Niamh Goggin. Dial forward 20 years and the sector's leaders are male, pale and privileged.
It sometimes seemed like a sector put together with cardboard and pieces of string – and being a social investor can still feel lonely... Big Issue Invest boss Danyal Sattar reflects on 20 years of community investment in the UK.
NatWest took a big leap of faith in setting up its own community enterprise fund, says Bernie Morgan, a trustee of NatWest Social & Community Capital, recalling the early days of support for responsible investors.
SNAPSHOTS FROM ADDIS Matters of the mind were long brushed over in Ethiopia – but Erk Mead’s hugely successful programmes are helping people to open up and get professional help.
Some claim Big Society Capital’s current form – and its implications on the cost of finance – is actually holding back social investment. But, while lending all its money cheaply may be tempting, it would be a serious mistake, writes CEO Cliff Prior.
The British Council and Social Enterprise UK are supporting people from 15 UK social enterprises to attend next week's Social Enterprise World Forum in Addis Ababa, helping increase the diversity of attendees.
Bite-sized stories this week include record interest in B Corp certification, a big commitment to buy social, latest research on giving to charity, and new hires at Social Investment Scotland.
SNAPSHOTS FROM ADDIS: Business is undeniably tough for Desert Rose, which is producing affordable household water filters – but diverse revenue streams and a healthy dose of creativity are keeping the social enterprise on course.
Even the greatest products rarely sell themselves – so we asked marketers at top social enterprises Hey Girls, Clarity, Mamoq and Hubbub to share their top tips. The second in our two-part guide.
