Social Entrepreneurship Workshop
The Social Entrepreneurship Workshop, a new venture for DGDW 2010, aims to bring together entrepreneurs with businesses at different stages of development. There will be workshops for three stages of growth – idea, financing, and operating - each with six participants and one facilitator.
The workshops, which will run concurrently, will provide existing and potential social entrepreneurs with a platform to share their challenges, knowledge and experiences. Additionally, DGDW participants are encouraged to attend the financing and strategic growth workshops as audience members to develop an understanding of the issues and opportunities of social entrepreneurship. Overall, the objective is to support current social businesses with idea sharing and potentially, funding, and to demonstrate that businesses can be sustainable and profitable whilst having a positive impact on the people and the environment in which they operate.
1. IDEA: “Out of Your Head and Into the World: Bringing your social business idea to fruition”
Participation in this workshop is by short application, available here. Six students or professionals will be chosen to meet in a closed session led by an expert in social entrepreneurship. Participants will discuss the viability of one another’s ideas, and explore the key elements required to turn an idea into an operating business. This session will help potential entrepreneurs answer questions like, “Who are the optimal partners for my business?” “Do I have the right skills and background?” and “What are my next steps?”
2. FINANCING: “Financing Your Social Business: Connecting with Investors and Exploring New Options.”
The next stage is for social entrepreneurs who are seeking financing. This session will highlight the elements that potential financiers look for in a business plan or existing business, and include a discussion of the particular lines of funding available to social businesses. It will answer such questions as, “How much does social return stand in for monetary return?” and “How can I increase exposure and connect with partners and funders I need?”
3. STRATEGIC GROWTH: “Scaling the Social Business: Overcoming Challenges to Take Your Business to the Next Level.”
The final workshop stage is for social entrepreneurs with operational businesses. Participants will explore, with like-minded successful entrepreneurs, the challenges they are currently facing, particularly within this economic climate, and discuss scalability and sustainability. Audience members will have an up-close look at the operational and strategic challenges involved in being a social entrepreneur. This session will answer questions like, “What infrastructure should be in place before I scale my business?” “Am I committed to lead my business into the next phase?” “What other partners and skills do we need to grow the company?” and “How can my company make a bigger impact?”
Part-business school class for the social sector, part-discussion forum for peers, part-strategy and financing brainstorming session, the DGDW Social Entrepreneurship Workshop aims to provide a unique and stimulating discussion platform for participants and audience members alike.
Audience members can listen to the second two workshops as they would a traditional DGDW panel. These workshops will close with a Q&A session through which the audience can explore areas they found most interesting.
Registration for the Out of Your Head and Into the World workshop will start in fall 2009 with the registration for the overall DGDW conference 2010.
Entrepreneurs interested in the financing and strategic growth phases should email ashley.metz@iese.net.
