The Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Network is made up of more than 50 chapters across Canada. Some organizations focus on specific industries, and others are more general. For example, the Institute B supports businesses that put societal value above profit. The Institute also offers consulting services to entrepreneurs who are interested in creating a sustainable business model. In 2013, RBC sponsored a panel discussion on the concept of conscious capitalism and a financing workshop for social entrepreneurs in the Vancouver area.
Fast-Track Your Canadian Social Entrepreneurs
The SDGs are often used to define social enterprises, and the Social Enterprise Alliance defines a social enterprise as “an organization that uses profits to meet a social purpose.” Similarly, social entrepreneurs are largely non-profit organizations, but they still have a social mission. In the United States, for example, some companies are for-profit businesses, while others are nonprofits. A Canadian business can make money by combining a passion for a cause and a mission to serve the general public.
The Accelerating Social Cause Entrepreneurs Marc Kielburger program is a great place to start if you are thinking of starting a social enterprise in Canada. The Ashoka Fellowship program helps budding Canadians build a viable product and make key connections. It is co-sponsored by the RBC, which also funds the Big Ideas Challenge pitch competition. The HUB Ottawa, an incubator for social enterprises, provides a platform for collaboration and accelerated learning. In addition to this, the community helps entrepreneurs establish long-term professional relationships.