{"id":51627,"date":"2025-06-02T09:57:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T13:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/?p=51627"},"modified":"2025-08-13T06:14:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T10:14:14","slug":"social-entrepreneurship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/social-entrepreneurship\/","title":{"rendered":"What is social entrepreneurship? Building a mission-driven business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Business is constantly evolving. Today, sectors like education and healthcare are being transformed in a bid to tackle critical global challenges. Social entrepreneurship\u2014the practice of building mission-driven businesses that address societal and environmental issues while remaining profitable\u2014leverages innovation and strategic thinking to deliver both impact and income.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are currently <a href=\"https:\/\/initiatives.weforum.org\/global-alliance-for-social-entrepreneurship\/state-of-the-sector#:~:text=10%20Million%20Social,purpose%20before%20profit.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10 million<\/a> social enterprises worldwide, producing approximately $2 trillion in revenue, and the numbers keep growing. For those who are passionate about blending business know-how and strategy with social impact, understanding social entrepreneurship is more than a trend\u2014it&#8217;s a way to build a meaningful and impactful career.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-social-entrepreneurship-nbsp\">What is social entrepreneurship?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Though the concept of social entrepreneurship has existed for centuries\u2014think Florence Nightingale and Maria Montessori\u2014we credit Bill Drayton, founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashoka.org\/en-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ashoka<\/a>, with coining the term \u201csocial entrepreneur\u201d in the 1980s. Drayton is still widely considered to be among the greatest social entrepreneurs of all time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the core of social entrepreneurship is the aim to build businesses that exist to solve crucial social or environmental challenges. Business ventures cover a wide range of sectors and issues, from education and climate action to clean energy and poverty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social enterprises combine business skills with innovation and creativity to drive meaningful change. Many align their work with the <a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/goals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/a>. This not only provides a clear and measurable framework to work with, but is also an important consideration for investors. By working in this way, social entrepreneurs rethink traditional models to develop lasting, mission-driven solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/herlambang-tinasih-gusti-3kc_75Rdgyk-unsplash-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/herlambang-tinasih-gusti-3kc_75Rdgyk-unsplash-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/herlambang-tinasih-gusti-3kc_75Rdgyk-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/herlambang-tinasih-gusti-3kc_75Rdgyk-unsplash-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/herlambang-tinasih-gusti-3kc_75Rdgyk-unsplash-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/herlambang-tinasih-gusti-3kc_75Rdgyk-unsplash-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mission-driven-business-models-nbsp\">Mission-driven business models&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Social enterprises vary in structure, typically following one of three business models.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For-profit:<\/strong> These enterprises operate like traditional businesses in that they aim to make a profit. However, they also prioritize creating a positive impact by building their business around an environmental or social challenge.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nonprofit:<\/strong> Nonprofit social enterprises are solely focused on achieving their mission. Revenue that the business generates through its products and services is reinvested, meaning they are not solely reliant on donations or grants.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hybrid models:<\/strong> This model combines elements of for-profit and nonprofit models. For example, a nonprofit enterprise may own a for-profit subsidiary to generate revenue, while also receiving donations to help support its mission.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While each of these models offers its own potential benefits and challenges, for-profit social enterprises tend to lead. These businesses can attract <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fundsforngos.org\/all-questions-answered\/what-is-impact-investing-and-how-can-it-support-social-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">impact investors<\/a> and pursue revenue generation that allows them to scale their business without being dependent on grants or donations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, for-profit businesses\u2014unlike nonprofit organizations\u2014are eligible for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/certification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">B Corp certification<\/a>. This certification recognizes companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. The B Corp movement has grown significantly in recent years: there are currently <a href=\"https:\/\/bcorporation.eu\/find-a-b-corp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9,500 B Corps worldwide<\/a>, compared to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinitiative.org\/statistics\/b-corp\/overview\/#:~:text=by%202020%2C%20that%20number%20had%20surged%20to%20over%203%2C500\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3,500 in 2020<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-big-players-in-social-enterprise-nbsp\">Big players in social enterprise&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To see how mission-driven businesses can balance impact with profit, let\u2019s take a look at just a few of the most well-known success stories.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-patagoni-a\"><strong>Patagoni<\/strong>a<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The outdoor clothing brand focuses on environmental activism. It donates a portion of its profits to environmental causes and builds sustainable and ethical practices into its processes and products. In 2022, the company\u2019s founder, Yvon Chouinard, transferred ownership to two entities. One ensures the company continues to operate in line with its mission. The other focuses on ensuring Patagonia\u2019s profits go toward fighting the climate crisis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-toms\"><strong>TOMS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This social impact business, founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, started out as a shoe brand operating a \u201cone for one\u201d model. For every pair of shoes they sold, they would donate a pair. Since its inception, the company has donated over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.toms.com\/en-us\/impact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">100 million pairs of shoes<\/a>. Over time, the business has expanded to include eyewear, clothing and coffee, each of which is tied to a cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lush\"><strong>Lush<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The globally recognized cosmetics brand has a strong commitment to animal welfare, ethical sourcing and environmental activism. It has a number of policies aimed at supporting this mission, including policies focused on digital elements of the business. For example, they have an open-source tech policy where they share the technology they develop to encourage a more sustainable business system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ben-amp-jerry-s\"><strong>Ben &amp; Jerry\u2019s<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The American ice cream brand is well-known for its strong social mission. It focuses on issues such as climate activism, human rights and fair trade. Since it was founded in 1978, it has grown into one of the world\u2019s most recognizable ice cream brands while remaining focused on its mission to make a difference in society.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The startup landscape is shifting. More entrepreneurs are emerging with both a passion for change and the business skill set to turn their vision into impact. Will you be part of the shift?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-future-is-mission-driven-nbsp\">The future is mission-driven&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re ready to make a difference in business, take a look at how our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/academics\/master-of-science-in-business-for-social-impact-and-sustainability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Master of Science in Business for Social Impact &amp; Sustainability<\/a> can help you on your journey to social entrepreneurship. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the skills to integrate it into profitable, purpose-driven business models. Gain practical, real-world experience to drive change in a new era of business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the spotlight on environmental and social challenges intensifies, businesses are increasingly expected to do more than just turn a profit. Social entrepreneurship is providing a model for building impact into business.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":51630,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[129],"tags":[1752,1748],"class_list":["post-51627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-insights","tag-ms-in-business-for-sustainability-and-social-impact","tag-ms-in-management"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is social entrepreneurship? - IENYC \u2013 The Blueprint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore social entrepreneurship and learn how mission-driven businesses are driving lasting social and environmental impact.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/social-entrepreneurship\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is social entrepreneurship? - IENYC \u2013 The Blueprint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore social entrepreneurship and learn how mission-driven businesses are driving lasting social and environmental impact.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/social-entrepreneurship\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"IENYC \u2013 The Blueprint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IENewYorkCollege\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-02T13:57:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-13T10:14:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ienyc.edu\/the-blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_2480862361-1-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1327\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Meag Gardner\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ie_nyc\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ie_nyc\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Meag Gardner\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ienyc.edu\\\/the-blueprint\\\/social-entrepreneurship\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ienyc.edu\\\/the-blueprint\\\/social-entrepreneurship\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Meag Gardner\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ienyc.edu\\\/the-blueprint\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/94a283902ab04157fca3c55ffe882775\"},\"headline\":\"What is social entrepreneurship? 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She\u2019s done anything from storytelling for luxury hotels in the Caribbean to song lyric translation, academic writing for universities, podcast production, app development, and she even ran an art gallery in Madrid, Spain. Meag completed a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature at Indiana University, where she earned a minor in International Relations and a Certificate in Translation &amp; Interpretation Studies. During this time, she completed a semester abroad at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. She later completed a year of postgraduate studies in Fine Arts at the C\u00edrculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, and several certificates in programming and software development. She has combined her love of language and storytelling with art and technology for a broader and deeper understanding of modern communication. Meag is now the Head of Brand Narrative at IE University and a contributor to The Blueprint at IENYC. 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She\u2019s done anything from storytelling for luxury hotels in the Caribbean to song lyric translation, academic writing for universities, podcast production, app development, and she even ran an art gallery in Madrid, Spain. Meag completed a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature at Indiana University, where she earned a minor in International Relations and a Certificate in Translation &amp; Interpretation Studies. During this time, she completed a semester abroad at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. She later completed a year of postgraduate studies in Fine Arts at the C\u00edrculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, and several certificates in programming and software development. She has combined her love of language and storytelling with art and technology for a broader and deeper understanding of modern communication. Meag is now the Head of Brand Narrative at IE University and a contributor to The Blueprint at IENYC. 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