“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Goal Create 1 Million Social Jobs in Africa
Social Job (n.) A regular activity in safe conditions performed in exchange for fair and equitable payment that produces a marketable good or service of inherent social value.
Opportunity
Real GDP increased annually by 4.9% across Africa between 2008-2008 Population = 1 billion people as of 2009 Growth across diverse sectors (from 2002-2007, as a percent share of $235 billion , in 2005 dollars): Wholesale and Retail (13%), Agriculture (12%), Manufacturing (9%) 221 million new customers for basic needs by 2015 (McKinsey, p.24)
The Innovation Institute
The Summer Scholars Program Outstanding young social entrepreneurs are recruited from across the U.S. for a 10-week immersion program in rural Kenya and South Africa
The Innovation Institute
The Summer Scholars Program Sector-leading social entrepreneurship curriculum Meeting consumers where they are Asset-based philosophy to identify opportunities with community entrepreneurs, while simultaneously contributing to personal growth and development
The Innovation Institute
The Impact Incubator Scholars partake in a business plan competition to win the ThinkImpact fellowship The Incubator is a 9-month training program for accepted fellows, comprising our innovative curriculum, access to capital and mentoring
The ThinkImpact Fellowship
Fully-funded, year-long fellowship in Africa during which fellows, together with community entrepreneurs, build their social enterprise Includes housing, airfare, stipend, insurance, in-country staff, ThinkImpact office, ongoing training, legal support and financial management
Investible Social Businesses
The result of this multi-year, comprehensive program is the establishment of successful social enterprises. Through such business development, consumers at the base of the pyramid are provided socially-beneficial, affordable products and services as well as the opportunity for employment.
“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison