Real World Systems, engaged by the MaRS Discovery District and generously supported by the Government of Ontario, completed a review of social impact measurement systems as they apply to social ventures. The review aims to help social ventures as well as their investors and funders determine how to design measurement systems that will help them meet their goals.
This whitepaper explores the opportunities and challenges supporting the growth of social ventures in Ontario.
Download the MaRS White Paper Series: Social Ventures
For any emerging field it would seem that investment opportunities and vehicles of investment must develop along side. In this way, both social entrepreneurship and social finance are gaining momentum at virtually the same time. However, still in question is what’s commonly (or colloquially) referred to as “the stick factor.” Social entrepreneurship as it pertains to business model innovation and social system transformation should not be seen as a trend. So, how to make it last?
Having a distinguishable legal entity for social ventures is an important piece to the puzzle, not only to promote a general understanding of their blended value, but to also lay a crucial legislative framework. If a framework were in place, this would necessarily legitimize the emergence of the social innovation space. More…
Recently, MASS LBP was contracted by SiG @ MaRS — Canada’s leading centre for social innovation within one of the country’s most dynamic research institutions — to evaluate the feasibility of setting up a new school based on or affiliated with the UK’s School for Social Entrepreneurs. The promise and ability of social entrepreneurs to address important and outstanding social needs is one of the prime drivers of this study.
The School for Social Entrepreneurs was established in London in 1997 and has since expanded, opening 13 regional schools throughout the UK, as well as a school in Melbourne, Australia. We want to understand the value a School for Social Entrepreneurs located in Ontario might create, and how it would operate.
Over the course of the next eight weeks we’ll complete a literature review that sets out the most current thinking in the field of social entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship educations. An environmental scan will identify and assess comparable programs in Canada and abroad.
We’re also interviewing a range of experts and opinion leaders to get their perspective on social entrepreneurship education. Finally, we’re organizing events across Ontario where participants with an interest in this study can learn more about the UK model and help us design and refine their own, ideal school for social entrepreneurs.
So welcome to our project blog. Watch as this project develops, learn more about social entrepreneurship education, send us your comments and get involved! We’d love to hear from you.
