https://unltd.org.uk/2015/11/13/introducing-unltds-new-strategy-going-ma...
Today, as a co-host of Global Entrepreneurship Week, we are excited to unveil UnLtd’s strategy for 2016 and beyond, ‘Going mainstream: how can social entrepreneurship break through?’.
Director of Strategy and Influence Katharine Danton explains,
“We are seeing a surge in the number of people stepping up with entrepreneurial solutions to social problems. But the reality is it’s still very difficult for social entrepreneurs to maximise their social impact. Social entrepreneurs need customers, staff, buyers, lawyers, parents, indeed people from every corner of society to back them – they need to go mainstream.
Our new strategy is focused on working with others to use all of our insight into what works, so that together we can break down the barriers faced by social entrepreneurs. We believe that by Going Mainstream, many more social entrepreneurs will be able to reach their potential to create serious social impact.”
Our strategy is informed by the aspirations and ambitions of social entrepreneurs themselves. In 2013 we first began working with social entrepreneurs to identify a vision for 2020. They told us they wanted to be valued by society and a powerful force for social change.
Today, an opinion poll of social entrepreneurs shows that more than nine in ten (94%) people running a social venture feel they should be recognised as serious businesses for good. Just one in seven (15%) felt that the public could identify social entrepreneurs in their community. More than eight in ten (87%) felt social entrepreneurship needed to be better understood by the public. Six in ten (63%) felt the barriers they face undermine their potential to do good.
Specific challenges cited by social entrepreneurs include finding sustainable revenue streams (71%), getting access to the right kind of finance (60%) and making a living from their social venture (71%).
Mainstream enterprise support agencies are also recognising the need to provide support for social ventures. Research conducted by ourselves in partnership with the National Enterprise Network reported that 27% of their clients were starting or already running a business with a social, environmental or community objective. In London it was as high as 43%.
Our new strategy, ‘Going mainstream: how can social entrepreneurship break through?’, will see us increase our focus on finding ways to break down the barriers faced by social entrepreneurs, helping them to become a valued and vibrant part of society. It’s a big goal, so we’re adopting an agile strategy which will allow us to pivot quickly where needed and explore different hunches to help us get there.
We can’t do it alone. We believe there are many people out there who can help break down the barriers faced by social entrepreneurs, to help many more reach their potential to create serious social impact. We’d love you to join us.
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