Social Enterprise UK finds that access to finance is the largest barrier to growth of social enterprises

Social Enterprise UK has published its 2013 survey results based on 878 telephone and e-mail surveys. Among other things the survey finds that twice as many social enterprises (48%) as SMEs sought finance in the past 12 months and 39% cited access to finance as the single largest barrier to their growth and sustainability – the most common barrier experienced. The report continuous that the median amount of finance sought by social enterprise was £58,000 – well below the minimum thresholds of many specialist social investment vehicles.

“The data shows that there’s growing interest in social enterprise – it’s the sector where entrepreneurs are choosing to set up businesses. This fact speaks volumes about people’s motivations and a desire for change in the way that businesses behave and their contribution to society." Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK

Read more: http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/advice-support/resources/the-people-business

CBS's Full-time MBA programme recognised as global leader in responsible management education

Copenhagen Business School’s Full-time MBA programme has been identified as one of the ten leading MBA programmes worldwide in terms of integrating sustainability into the academic experience. The ranking was released today by Corporate Knights Magazine in the first global edition of its Green MBA Survey: www.corporateknights.com/greenmba.

The ranking comes in the same week that Copenhagen Business School (CBS) has been selected by the United Nation’s PRME initiative as global champion for the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME). Only 20 schools have been awarded champion status at the Global Leaders meeting, held last weekend in New York (www.leaderssummit2013.org).

Furthermore, CBS Full-time MBA programme scored another top spot last month, securing tenth place in NetImpact’s global “Business as Un-usual Guide” to sustainable MBA programmes. These accolades are the results of the ongoing commitments CBS has made to responsible management education.

Read more: http://www.cbs.dk/node/258466

Students Finish 7-Day Project with a new Fundraising Record

Once again our J28 students have set a new fundraising record compared to last year, raising 24,109 DKK of money during the first 7 days of our J28 class (Writing Business Plans for Social Enterprises). Well done to all three groups:

1. Group 1 raised 3 423 DKK for the Red Cross.
2. Group 2 raised 6 966 DKK for the Natcafeen in Stengade which provides a place to stay for homeless people. (see video here: http://youtu.be/_lnyryVIt14)
3. Group 3 raised 13 720 DKK for Syrian Refugees (see video here: http://youtu.be/KmaiZCzOxdY) 

Here is how J28 fund raising has evolved over the past years, showing that amounts are doubling every year:

2013    24 000 DKK
2012    12 000 DKK
2011      5 000 DKK

7-day projects are underway

As in the past this year the Copenhagen Business School Minor in Social Entrepreneurship has kicked off with the 7-day challenge. Three student teams are competing to raise the largest amount of money within just 7-days for a social purpose they select themselves.

As in the past the challenge is for each team to raise more money than all groups of 2012 together. Thus the bar is 12.000 kr per group.

Will they make it?

Check into The Nation of Social Innovation one week from now or follow their progress on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/J28-Business-Plan-Writing-for-Social-Enterprises/263780646986240

Volunteer Manager for EAST AFRICA SOCIAL ENTERPRISE NETWORK

The East Africa Social Enterprise Network (EASEN) in Nairobi looks for a volunteer to help them start-up this membership organisation promoting the practice of social entrepreneurship in East Africa.

All applications should be emailed to info@easenetwork.net with
the subject heading “Volunteer Manager”. Website: www.easenetwork.net

Social Entrepreneurship Education on the Rise

The Harvard Business Review Blog Network reports results from a survey on how supply of classes, cases, and students in the area of social entrepreneurship has increased over the past twenty years. The data was collected by the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Initaitive and concerns only HBS courses and cases.

Read more: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/02/the_rise_of_social_entrepreneu.html

Accelerator Program Launched for Danish Social Enterprises

The Danish Social Capital Fund has just launched a "Social Growth Program" aimed at developing early stage social economy businesses. The accelerator program is an intensive development 6-month period during which early stage social enterprises are given advise on how to grow and develop their business.

The program contains:

• An experienced and dedicated business developer who is active in each team 1-2 days a week, who helps to develop and test new business opportunities and spar with the management 
• Targeted matchmaking to municipalities, companies and organizations and possibly also funds, banks and potential investors
• Camps and workshops 

The Social Growth Program is conducted by the Danish Social Capital Fund, the Centre for Social Economy and Symbion. It is completely free to participate in the process carried out for a total of 12 social enterprises in two rounds: six participating companies during the period from May to October 2012 and 6 from November 2013 to May 2014.

To learn more about the Social Growth Program and the opportunity to participate, you can sign up networking event in the calendar.

More information: info@socialokonomi.dk