Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs Podcast

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At Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, we talk to experienced and successful social entrepreneurs and change makers, committed to building a better world. Working as a social entrepreneur is hugely fulfilling – yet uniquely challenging. Social entrepreneurs need to balance business and social goals to s…

Fergal Byrne


    • Feb 10, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 115 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs Podcast

    Episode 114: Lessons from Nedjip Tozun on scaling d.light to 180 million people through innovation, strategy, and mission-driven growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 73:30


    In this episode of Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Fergal Byrne speaks once again with Nedjip Tozun, co-founder of d.light, about the strategic, operational, and financial challenges of scaling social enterprises. Since its inception, d.light has reached nearly 180 million people in emerging markets with off-grid solar solutions.Nedjip shares key decisions that enabled d.light's growth, the challenges of distribution and financing, and the trade-offs required to balance efficiency with mission alignment. This conversation offers valuable insights for social entrepreneurs aiming to scale sustainably.As co-founder of d.light, Nedjip has led the company's expansion into a global provider of affordable solar home systems, lanterns, and appliances. d.light's vertically integrated model combines product innovation, consumer financing, and last-mile distribution, making renewable energy accessible and improving livelihoods.A recognized thought leader in the  social enterprise space, Nedjip continues to champion technology-driven solutions, mission-aligned growth, and financial sustainability in expanding global energy access. In November 2024, Nedjip Tozun, co-founder and CEO of d.light, was honored on the TIME100 Climate list, recognizing his transformative impact on clean energy access.

    Episode 113: The Road to Impact at Scale: Lessons for social entrepreneurs from Mulago CEO, Kevin Starr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 58:03


    What does it take for an organization focused on impact to drive meaningful, large-scale change? In this compelling episode, Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation, shares his deep expertise in scaling solutions to address some of the world's most pressing problems.Kevin introduces Mulago's distinctive approach to scaling, including their “Doer and Payer at Scale” framework, and discusses the rigorous standards they use to identify ideas with the potential for transformative impact. He emphasizes the vital role of a clear, focused mission in avoiding the common risk of “mission drift.”Through real-world examples—such as the evolution of community health workers in Mali—Kevin illustrates how deliberate partnerships, data-driven strategies, and an unwavering focus on outcomes can help organizations turn ambitious visions into lasting impact. He also challenges funders to play a stronger role, advocating for greater accountability and alignment with measurable goals. This episode is essential for anyone passionate about driving social change, offering practical insights into how to scale promising ideas into global solutions.Since 1993, Kevin has been at the helm of the Mulago Foundation, supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs committed to achieving maximum impact in the world's poorest communities. In 2003, he launched the Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program to apply Mulago's principles and tools, helping social entrepreneurs transform great ideas into sustainable solutions at scale. In 2016, he expanded this vision with the Henry Arnhold Fellows Program, focusing on environmental challenges.

    Episode 112: Unlocking AI for Social Good-- Insights from Ashoka's AI Lab

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 69:04


    In this fascinating episode, Fergal Byrne sits down with Odin Mühlenbein, co-leader of Ashoka's AI Lab, for a deep dive into the transformative role and potential of AI for social entrepreneurs. With a background spanning philosophy, social venture development, and an early passion for programming, Odin brings a unique perspective to the possibilities AI offers for social impact, deepened by his experience at Ashoka's AI lab. Here he discusses the journey from experimenting with machine learning to building meaningful AI applications tailored for nonprofits and social enterprises.Odin explores the huge potential of AI to revolutionize social initiatives—ranging from detecting illegal deforestation through satellite imagery to creating chatbots that provide legal and social service information to underserved communities. He provides valuable insights on how Ashoka's “conscious tinkering” approach helps organizations start small and scale responsibly. By addressing common AI integration pitfalls and sharing Ashoka's strategic “five pillars of AI readiness,” Odin offers practical steps for nonprofits looking to embrace AI effectively, even on limited budgets.Tune in to hear about Ashoka's innovative prototypes and Odin's call to action for funders to invest in the AI infrastructure nonprofits need to multiply their impact. This is a very practical episode and a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, ethics, and social change.Odin Mühlenbein is a social innovation enthusiast with a passion for AI. He co-leads the AI Lab at Ashoka, the world's largest network of social entrepreneurs. Odin create applications that make Ashoka more efficient and unlock new capabilities for its global network and also works as an independent advisor and AI tinkerer. 

    Episode 111: Stanford Business School's Professor Neil Malhotra on how to create and sustain solutions to systemic problems

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2022 51:28


    A fascinating, wide-ranging, and spirited discussion about the state of social entrepreneurship and innovation today, touching on key questions including how to effectively measure impact, the true availability of impact investment, how to manage hybrid social businesses –as well as the challenges social entrepreneurs face keeping focussed on the mission while generating cash flow and profit. Professor Malhotra also discusses some of the  research and insights from his recent book Frontiers in Social Innovation-and reflects on some of the key trends that will impact future social innovation.  Neil Malhotra is the Edith M. Cornell Professor of Political Economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Louise and Claude N. Rosenberg, Jr. Director of the Center for Social Innovation, where he has developed a curriculum focused on social issues, impact measurement, and mission-driven business, amongst other topics.  Neil recently edited Frontiers in Social Innovation: The Essential Handbook for Creating, Deploying, and Sustaining Creative Solutions to Systemic Problems    

    Episode 110: Interview with Tom Chi founder At One Ventures…a climate-focused VC fund investing in companies creating environmentally positive technology.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 54:56


    Deep dive on the role of technology in helping to solve the world's greatest environmental questions-and a passionate argument for the impact of social entrepreneurship. Tom gives an overview of At One Ventures investments and key technologies that the fund has supported, with a particular focus on tree planting technologies. As well as discussing specific technologies and market applications, Tom shares his views on the dangers of increasing penetration of technologies in our lives and reflects on techno utopian approach to the environment associated with Silicon Valley. Tom also shares his concerns how we as a society have prioritized economy over society and environment: A fascinating, spirited discussion. Tom Chi is founder At One Ventures a climate-focused VC fund investing in companies creating environmentally positive technology.  At One Ventures, a climate-focused VC fund investing in companies creating environmentally positive technology.  Before founding At One Ventures, Tom was Head of Experience and founding member of Google X who helped scale the company from six people to 600. His engineering and business background coupled with a passion for environmental sustainability inspired him to start a VC fund dedicated to improving planetary health.

    Episode 109: Interview with Kevin Starr, the founder of the Mulago Foundation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2021 46:39


    In this wide ranging and stimulating interview, Kevin Starr shares his perspective on the state of social entrepreneurship today, the reality of impact investment today, and his evolving thoughts on generating lasting change at scale

    founders social entrepreneur kevin starr mulago foundation
    Episode 108: Interview with Jagdeesh Rao, the Chief Executive of the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) in India.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 57:00


    Interview with Jagdeesh Rao, the Chief Executive of the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) in India, discussing the vital ecological restoration and conservation work that FES does on land and water resources in ecologically fragile, degraded regions of India

    Episode 107: Interview with Austin Whitman CEO of Climate Neutral, US based consumer-focused climate certification company

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2020 57:01


    Austin Whitman talks about the growth and development of Climate Neutral

    Episode 106: Kate Roll, Head of Teaching and Assistant Professor at Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 53:13


    Bringing her background in international development, Kate discusses inclusive business and the concept of bottom of the pyramid development and it's consequences for corporations and impoverished populations. Kate also shares her insights on what makes NGO and corporate partnerships succeed- and perhaps more interestingly, what makes them fail.

    Episode 105: Aparna Hegde Founder of ARMMAN

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 61:11


    In this interview, Dr. Aparna Hegde, an internationally renowned Urogynecologist and the founder of the NGO, ARMMAN (Advancing Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity of Mothers, Children and Neonates) shares her insights behind building scalable programs using technology and partnerships to innovatively impact maternal and child health. ARMMAN leverages technology to design & implement sustainable interventions to reduce maternal, neonatal, child mortality and morbidity in underserved communities. Working in 16 states in India, ARMMAN's five programs have reached more than 18 million women and their children.

    Episode 104: Interview with Celina de Sola, Founder of Glasswing International

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020


    Celina de Sola, founder of Glasswing International is accelerating community development by tearing down walls between government, business, and community groups, building a new culture of shared responsibility and cross-sector collaboration, rooted in trust. Celina’s background in humanitarian aid led her to pioneer a social enterprise- even during the financial crisis of 2008. Since its founding, Celina has...

    Episode 104: Interview with Celina de Sola, Founder of Glasswing International

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 43:38


    Celina de Sola, founder of Glasswing International, is accelerating community development by tearing down walls between government, business, and community groups, building a new culture of shared responsibility and cross-sector collaboration, rooted in trust.

    Episode 103: Interview with Kendis Paris, Founder of Truckers Against Trafficking

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020


    Kendis Paris is the founder of Truckers Against Trafficking, (TAT) founded in 2011. Beginning with the trucking industry, Kendis is building an anti-human trafficking movement model that could be applied across every mode of transportation in the US and beyond. Through TAT, Kendis is creating an entirely new role for truckers by targeting them in...

    Episode 103: Interview with Kendis Paris, Founder of Truckers Against Trafficking

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 51:50


    Kendis Paris is the founder of Truckers Against Trafficking, (TAT) founded in 2011. Beginning with the trucking industry, Kendis is building an anti-human trafficking movement model that could be applied across every mode of transportation in the US and beyond.

    Episode 102: Interview with Narayan Dhakal, Executive Director of Nepalese NGO, EcoHimal Nepal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020


    EcoHimal Nepal is non-government organization (NGO) founded in 2009 with the goal of achieving sustainable development through community empowerment in Nepal’s mountain areas.  It has almost two decades of experience in livelihoods enhancement through sustainable development and community capacity-building, having worked in the region since 1992 as the Asian Regional Office of Eco Himal, an...

    Episode 101: Interview with Sue Riddlestone, OBE, Founder of Bioregional

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020


    Sue is Founder of Bioregional, a UK social entreprise that, works with partners to create better, more sustainable places to live, work and do business. Bioregional developed BedZED eco-village the first of its kind in the UK and out of this the One Planet Living approach, ten interconnected and holistic principles to show people how...

    Episode 100: interview with Nadinè Galle, CEO and Co-Founder at Green City Watch, an Amsterdam-based geoAI company empowering urban foresters to manage their tree inventory in real-time.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2020


    In this inspiring interview, Nadinè Galle, CEO & Co-Founder at Green City Watch, speaks to the growing trend of urbanization, and the key role that that urban forests play in greening cities. She explains how Green City Watch uses powerful AI and machine learning technologies to provide a cost-effective solution to oversee and manage urban green...

    Episode 99: Interview with Dr Morgan Phillips, Co-director, The Glacier Trust

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019


    Dr Morgan Phillips joined The Glacier Trust in December 2016. He is responsible for the day-to-day running of the charity, with specific focus on project development, partnerships, strategy and fundraising. Morgan holds a BSc in Geography, an MSc in Environmental Science, Policy and Planning and a PhD in Environmental Education. He worked at Keep Britain...

    Episode 98: Interview with Jordan Kassalow and Jennifer Krause on their inspiring new book, Dare to Matter: Your Path to Making a Difference Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2019 54:05


    In this interview, social entrepreneur Jordan Kassalow, and rabbi and author, Jennifer Krausediscuss Dare to Matter, their inspiring new bookwhich brings together Jordan’s experience as a successful social entrepreneur and Jennifer’s deep insights into inherited Jewish traditions. They set the context clearly from the outset—an economic model that does not work for many, and intense...

    Episode 97: Interview with Rebecca Masisak, CEO of TechSoup, a non-profit international network of NGOs that provide technical support and technological tools to other nonprofits and social benefit organisations

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2019 46:46


    Rebecca Masisak is CEO of TechSoup–she sets the strategic direction and provides executive oversight of all aspects of the organization and its global operations. Ms. Masisak joined TechSoup in 2001 to launch its e-commerce donation platform, moving the organization from a local San Francisco Bay Area focus to a national reach. In 2006, she founded...

    Episode 96: Interview with Jed Emerson author of The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows, and Natural Being

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2018 39:25


    Episode 96: Interview with Jed Emerson author of The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows, and Natural Being In this inspiring and thought-provoking interview, Jed describes his decades long work in the field of impact investment and the motivation behind his most recent book The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows,...

    Episode 95: Interview with Ann Mei Chang, author of Lean Impact: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2018 36:35


    As the former Chief Innovation Officer at USAID, Ann Mei served as the first Executive Director of the US Global Development Lab.  In this role, Ann Mei was responsible for identifying breakthrough innovations and transforming the way development was done in order to accelerate our pace of progress.  Her firsthand knowledge in both tech and...

    social entrepreneur executive director chang innovate chief innovation officer usaid radically greater social good ann mei us global development lab
    Episode 94: Interview with Randy Paynter, founder of Care2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2018 38:32


    Randy P picWith a natural philanthropic spirit, Randy Paynter founded the online advocacy website, Care2, in 1998 with the hope of making the world a kinder, more inclusive, and sustainable space. The business works by focusing on two aspects in which to generate support for social and environmental causes around the world. First, they empower...

    Episode 93 Interview with Harish Hande, co-founder SELCO INDIA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2018 45:36


    Harish Hande is an Indian social entrepreneur who co-founded SELCO India in 1995 to eradicate poverty by promoting sustainable technologies in rural India. SELCO India is a social enterprise that provides sustainable energy services to the poor in India, sustainable energy solutions and services to under-served households and businesses. SELCO empowers its customer by providing...

    Episode 92: Interview with Odin Mühlenbein, Partner at Ashoka Germany and Lead of Advisory at Ashoka Globalizer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 42:07


    Odin Mühlenbein is Partner at Ashoka Germany and Lead of Advisory at Ashoka Globalizer–an accelerator program that helps advanced social entrepreneurs from around the world develop strategies for social system change. Odin takes the learnings from Ashoka Globalizer to spread the word about system change and systems thinking, both within Ashoka and the field of...

    Episode 91: Interview with Dr. Charly Kleissner, co-founder KL Felicitas Foundation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 80:30


    Dr. Charly Kleissner is a pioneer in the field of impact investment. He believes that the deeper meaning of wealth is to make a positive contribution to humanity and the planet. Dr. Kleissner co-founded KL Felicitas Foundation (www.klfelicitasfoundation.org), and Social-Impact International (www.social-impact.org), which help social entrepreneurs worldwide to accelerate and increase their impact.  Dr. Kleissner co-founded...

    Episode 90: Jonah Sachs, co-founder of Free Range Studios and viral marketing innovator

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2018 25:32


    Jonah Sachs is an internationally recognized storyteller, author, and designer. He is the co-founder and chief storytelling officer of Free Range Studios, an advertising and marketing firm that specializes in nonprofits and socially responsible businesses. Jonah has helped hundreds of social brands and causes break through the media din with campaigns built on sound storytelling...

    Episode 89: Interview with Tim Freundlich, President of ImpactAssets

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 58:27


    Tim Freundlich is President of ImpactAssets, a boutique donor advised fund that specialises in socially responsible and impact investment options to mobilise human and financial capital towards a sustainable world. Tim is a long-term innovator in new financial instruments in the social enterprise sectors and was instrumental in establishing the precursor to ImpactAssets, the Calvert...

    president social entrepreneur calvert impactassets tim freundlich
    Episode 88: Interview with Harvey Koh, Managing Director at FSG

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2018 43:11


    Harvey Koh is Managing Director at the global social change consulting firm FSG. Based in FSG’s Mumbai, India office, Harvey directs research and advocacy in the area of Inclusive Markets, advancing thinking about inclusive business and market-based solutions in development, with a global perspective. His primary focus is working with donors and companies to develop and...

    Episode 87: Interview with Anh Bui, Vice President Benetech Labs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2017 46:49


    Benetech Labs is the innovation engine of Benetech, a leading nonprofit that empowers communities through software for social good with a focus on education, human rights, poverty, and the environment. Benetech Labs works with communities and partners to identify needs and prototype software for social solutions and support solutions that deliver the greatest impact in...

    Episode 86: Interview with Joel Solomon, Chairman of Renewal Funds, co-author of the Clean Money Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2017 42:27


    Joel Solomon is a highly experience social investor who has invested in over 100 early-growth stage companies in North America. Joel was instrumental in the development the Endswell Foundation, the largest, BC-based, charitable foundation in British Columbia funding environmental issues in the 1990s. Joel is currently Chair of Renewal Funds, Canada’s largest mission venture capital...

    Episode 85: Interview with Kevin Barenblat, founder of the Fast Forward accelerator

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2017 49:40


    Kevin Barenblat is a highly experienced software entrepreneur with a passion for applying technology for good. He is a big believer that talented people can leverage technology to create scalable solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. Kevin is the founder of the Fast Forward accelerator that helps tech nonprofits by investing money, providing...

    Episode 84: Interview with Ned Breslin, CEO at the Tennyson Center for Children

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2017 31:54


    Ned Breslin is the CEO at the Tennyson Center for Children, a 112 year non-profit based in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to helping children who have experienced severe abuse, neglect and/or trauma so they can bravely, and safely, change their life’s story. Ned previously worked in international water and sanitation for close to 30 years and...

    Episode 83 Interview with Jonathan Lewis social justice activist, social entrepreneur, author and educator

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2017 56:02


    Jonathan Lewis has had a long and varied career and vocation as a social justice activist and social entrepreneur. He is Founder of MCE Social Capital, an innovative social venture that finances small business loans to deeply impoverished people in 33 countries around the world. He is also Founder and President of the Opportunity Collaboration,...

    Episode 82: Interview with Ron Cordes, founder of the Cordes foundation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2017 45:31


    Ron Cordes is a veteran of more than 30 years in the investment industry – he co-founded and then sold AssetMark Investment Services. In 2006, together with his wife Marty, Ron set up the Cordes Foundation — a family foundation focused on social entrepreneurship, impact investing and creating economic opportunities for women, later broadening its focus...

    Episode 81:  Interview with Isaac Holeman, co-founder Medic Mobile  

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2017 51:29


    Isaac is a designer-researcher focused on global health equity and creating complex health systems that are beneficial to healthcare staff working with poor and marginalised patient populations. He is the cofounder of Medic Mobile, a non-profit technology company specializing in mHealth. Medic Mobile is guided by a mission to support community health workers and families...

    Episode 80 | Interview with Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation: The state of impact investing and funding for social entrepreneurs today

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2017 38:45


    Kevin Starr has been supporting social entrepreneurs since before we used the term. He built the current incarnation of Mulago Foundation, a private foundation that funds early-stage social entrepreneurs devoted to maximum impact at scale in the lives of the poorest people in developing countries. In 2003, Kevin set up Rainer Arnhold Fellows Programme to apply...

    Episode 79: interview with Toby Norman, cofounder & CEO of simprints

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2017 44:50


    Simprints is a nonprofit tech company from the University of Cambridge that is building an affordable, secure, rugged, open-source fingerprint system that works in the world’s toughest settings. According to the World Bank, an estimated 1.1 billion people, the majority of them living in Asia and Africa, struggle to access basic services and rights due...

    Episode 78: Interview with KJ Erickson, Founder and CEO of Simbi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2017 34:51


    KJ Erickson is Founder and CEO of Simbi, an innovative technology platform that allows people around the world to exchange or barter services. Users can do exchanges directly, or for credits that can be spent in the Simbi network. Prior to Simbi, KJ spent 9 years as the Founder and Executive Director of FORGE, a...

    Episode 77: Interview with Biplab Ketan Paul, founder of Naireeta services  

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2017 54:17


    Biplab Ketan Paul is founder of Naireeta services, an Indian ocial enterprise that has developed an innovative water management solution, the Bhungroo system, a unique irrigation system based on rainwater harvesting for farmers facing both drought and flooding situations  Paul, together with his wife Trupti Jain, has spent some 17 years developing and improving the...

    Episode 76: Interview with Gregg Treinish, founder of Adventure Scientists

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2017 46:44


    Gregg is founder of Adventure Scientists, a US non profit that partners with various conservation groups around the world to collect data from the outdoors that are crucial to unlocking solutions to the world’s environmental challenges. Since its founding in 2011, it has sent thousands of volunteers on missions to collect data from remote, difficult-to-access...

    Episode 75: Interview with Eric Nee, managing editor of Stanford Social Innovation Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2017 59:03


    Eric Nee is managing editor of Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), which has been serving global leaders of social change for almost 15 years- via its quarterly magazine, online articles, podcasts, videos, webinars, and conferences. Eric has some 30 years experience in the publishing industry; before joining Fortune, Eric launched Forbes’s Silicon Valley bureau, where...

    Episode 74: interview Ben Powell founder of Agora Partnerships

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2017 55:43


    Ben is founder of Agora Parternships an organisation that provides early stage social entrepreneurs in Latin America with the resources they need to grow-primarily through the Agora Accelerator, a four month program designed to provide entrepreneurs access to the knowledge, networks, and capital they need to succeed. Since 2011, Agora has supported some 125 companies that...

    Episode 73 Interview with Amit Saraogi and Clementine Chambon founders of Oorja Solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2017 36:01


    Oorja is a social enterprise that enables underserved rural communities in India to transform their crop waste crop waste into  clean energy and biochar using hybrid solar and biomass-powered microgrids. Some 450 million people in rural India do not have access to reliable electricity — Oorja’s mission is to provide clean energy access to these people with...

    Episode 72 Interview with Chuck Slaughter, Founder and CEO of Living Goods

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2017 49:24


    Chuck Slaughter is Founder and CEO of Living Goods, a social enterprise building a sustainable distribution platform for products designed to fight poverty and disease in the developing world. Living Goods operates networks of independent entrepreneurs (currently in Uganda, Kenya, and Myanmar) who make a living by selling medicines and products to poor people that...

    Episode 71, Interview Dr. Alex Dehgan, CEO and co-founder of Conservation X Labs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2017 48:20


    Alex is the CEO and co-founder of Conservation X Labs, a startup for tech innovation for conservation and development.  Prior to founding Conservation X Labs Alex served as the Chief Scientist at USAID and founded the Global Development Lab.  Conservation X Labs aims to harness exponential technologies, open innovation, and entrepreneurship to dramatically improve the efficacy, scale and sustainability of conservation efforts...

    ceo social entrepreneur co founders usaid chief scientist xlabs conservation x labs global development lab
    Episode 70 | Interview with Echoing Green’s President, Cheryl Dorsey, celebrating 30-year’s pioneering support for social entrepreneurs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2017 40:32


    Echoing Green is a leading global non-profit that provides seed funding and technical assistance to emerging social entrepreneurs with ideas for social change. The organisation is celebrating its 30 anniversary in 2017. Over that time it has forged a community of global pioneers, now over 700 strong, and played a pioneering role helping accelerate these leaders to...

    Episode 69: Interview with Jordan Kassalow, founder of VisionSpring

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2017 37:56


    Jordan Kassalow is founder of VisionSpring, a US social enterprise whose mission is to expand affordable access to eyewear, everywhere. To date, VisionSpring has distributed over 3.5 million eyeglasses to their target customers, who typically earns below $4 per day. They estimate their total economic impact to be over $756 million.  The World Health Organization...

    founders social entrepreneur visionspring jordan kassalow
    Episode 68: Interview with Christian Seelos, co-author of the newly published Innovation and Scaling for Impact: How Effective Social Enterprises Do It

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2017 34:49


    Christian is a scholar of social innovation –he is the Leo Tindemans Chair for Business Model Innovation at KU Leuven — a visiting scholar at the Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and an academic visitor at the Said Business School, University of Oxford. Christian, together with Johanna Mair are co-authors of the...

    Episode 67: Interview with Willy Oppenheim, founder of Omprakash Foundation, a US-based international non-profit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2017 34:39


    Willy Oppenheim is an educator, a researcher, and the founder of Omprakash a social enterprise working to make international volunteering more ethical and impactful. Willy founded Omprakash (www.omprakash.org) in 2004 with the goal of creating a platform to connect volunteers with social impact opportunities around the world.  Omprakash is a free online platform that connects...

    Episode 66: Interview with Dr Marc Ventresca, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2016 57:11


    Marc is on faculty at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and a Fellow of Wolfson College.  His research and teaching focus on innovation, institutions and infrastructure, with particular empirical projects at the intersection of organizational strategy and economic sociology in nascent markets.  Current work explores early moments approaches in markets for UK impact...

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