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100 Social Enterprise Innovations

From Paradigm-Shifting Marine Organizations to Accessible Loans

— June 6, 2012 — Social Good
This SocialBusiness.org top list of social enterprise innovations speak to the range -- and debate -- surrounding just what exactly is social enterprise. Are social enterprise, social business and social entrepreneurship interchangeable? What are the distinctions? Does it matter?

Part of what makes the social entrepreneurship community thrive is its current ongoing discussion questioning the very definition of what it is and what it does. It's a dialogue that can only, in the end, help strengthen a community that many people still don't even really know exists. Indeed, a critical look at definitions is crucial and won't necessarily bring people apart as many people have been blogging and tweeting. Even within the broadness that is social enterprise innovations, critiquing each other and each other's businesses will only bring about, hopefully, more positive change. Because the status quo obviously isn't working -- so pushing boundaries is key.
6.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Purpose-Driven Certification Authorities
Purpose-Driven Certification Authorities
The Social Enterprise Mark Gives Businesses Criteria
<
99
Waste-Reverting Social Enterprises
Waste-Reverting Social Enterprises
Wombling CIC Recycles Goods Headed for the Landfill
<
98
Health Service Social Enterprises
Health Service Social Enterprises
The SCA Group Offers Community Care in the United Kingdom
<
97
Accessible Loans
Accessible Loans
My Home Finance is a Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneer
<
96
Educational Leader Networks
Educational Leader Networks
'Teach For All' Builds National Movements to Improve School Systems
<
95
Action-Oriented Business Guides
Action-Oriented Business Guides
Sojo Empowers Social Entrepreneurs to Make a Difference
<
94
Job-Creating Recycling Programs
Job-Creating Recycling Programs
Bangladesh's 'Waste Concern' is an Eco Social Business with Bite
<
93
Design Solutions for Purpose
Design Solutions for Purpose
Cause Creative Offers Marketing Services for Charities
<
92
Ethically Focused Digital Companies
Ethically Focused Digital Companies
Datse Multimedia Productions Works with NGOs & Social Business
<
91
Community Resource Sites
Community Resource Sites
'seToolbelt' Assists Social Entrepreneurs in Kickstarting Their Ventures
<
90
Women of Color Enterprises
Women of Color Enterprises
I'mPOSSIBLE. is a Socially Focused Initiative Celebrating Success
<
89
Mission Mentorship Programs
Mission Mentorship Programs
'Academies for Social Entrepreneurship' Shoots for Sustainability
<
88
Rehabilitating Social Enterprises
Rehabilitating Social Enterprises
Aspire Ensures That Those with Spinal Injuries are Not Forgotten
<
87
Youth Ownership Organizations
Youth Ownership Organizations
Five Lamps is a Social Enterprise Focusing on Creating Possibilities
<
86
Opportunity-Creating Social Enterprises
Opportunity-Creating Social Enterprises
'People Can' Focuses on Building Strong Communities
<
85
Mobile-Enhanced Giving
Mobile-Enhanced Giving
'mGood' Allows Non-Profits to Create Text Message Campaigns
<
84
Digital Divide Connectors
Digital Divide Connectors
Talk2One is a Social Enterprise Connecting People to Communication
<
83
Cause Mentorship
Cause Mentorship
The Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation Invests in Innovation
<
82
Education-Giving T-Shirts
Education-Giving T-Shirts
GeboMana Sends a Child to School for 2 Months for Every Shirt Sold
<
81
Social Enterprise Financing
Social Enterprise Financing
'Big Issue Invest' is a Social Business that Invests in Others
<
80
Business-Building Education Programs
Business-Building Education Programs
The Global Social Benefit Incubator at Santa Clara University
<
79
South Asian-Focused Health Services
South Asian-Focused Health Services
Apnee Sehat is a Social Enterprise Promoting Lifestyle Choices
<
78
Social Exclusion Enterprises
Social Exclusion Enterprises
The United Kingdom's 'Destiny Support' Seeks Out Engagement
<
77
Good Karma Web Dev
Good Karma Web Dev
PICnet Offers Tech Services for Non-Profits and Social Businesses
<
76
Poverty-Ending Crusades
Poverty-Ending Crusades
The Adventure Project Aims to Eliminate Struggles and Misery
<
75
For-Profits Women's Clinics (UPDATE)
For-Profits Women's Clinics (UPDATE)
Penda Health Sees its First Patients in Kenya
<
74
Changing Consumption Practices
Changing Consumption Practices
Goodsumption Highlights Ethical Products Around the Globe
<
73
Socially Conscious Newborn Fashion
Socially Conscious Newborn Fashion
Rockin Baby Benefits Haitian Mothers with "One-for-One" Slings
<
72
Life-Enhancing Senior Enterprises
Life-Enhancing Senior Enterprises
'Action For Elders' is a CIC Tackling the Challenges of Old Age
<
71
Street Youth Enterprises
Street Youth Enterprises
SYJA Helps Vancouver's Young Homeless People Find Jobs
<
70
Healthy Community Sales
Healthy Community Sales
'A Moveable Feast' Focuses on Arabs & Bangladeshis Who Live in SW1, London
<
69
Online Education Charities
Online Education Charities
Brightside Offers Mentoring and Tutoring on the Web
<
68
Women's Center Honey
Women's Center Honey
Blackburne House Empowers Females Via Tech Skills, Wellness, Entrepreneurship
<
67
Professional Good Doers
Professional Good Doers
Catchafire is a B Corp That Lets Professionals Volunteer Their Skills
<
66
Kind Community Catering
Kind Community Catering
Potluck Cafe Offers Employment in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
<
65
Old Cars for a Cause
Old Cars for a Cause
GiveaCar Accepts Unwanted Vehicles, Sells them for Charity
<
64
Celeb Chef Apprenticeship Charities
Celeb Chef Apprenticeship Charities
Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall Blends Fine Dining & Education
<
63
Mind-Altering Social Enterprises
Mind-Altering Social Enterprises
Positive Intentions Works for the People by Working with Them
<
62
Skill-Sharing Social Enterprises
Skill-Sharing Social Enterprises
The Bicycle Academy Teaches You How to Make Bikes
<
61
Social Enterprise Garages
Social Enterprise Garages
Auto22 in Gravesend Supports Youth Through Employment
<
60
Social Purpose Gardens
Social Purpose Gardens
'Landscaping With Heart' Employs People with Mental Illnesses in Vancouver
<
59
Social Scooter Repurposing
Social Scooter Repurposing
'Brighter Future Workshop' Recycles Mobility Equipment, Provides Jobs
<
58
Refugee-Employing Enterprises
Refugee-Employing Enterprises
The 'Open Arms Shop' Provides a Living Wage for Women
<
57
Social Good Careers
Social Good Careers
'Give to Get Jobs' is a Board for For-Profit Jobs With Positive Impact
<
56
Social Entrepreneur-Supporting Groups
Social Entrepreneur-Supporting Groups
Adsila Helps Those Who Aim to Address Universal Concerns
<
55
Empowering Bakeries
Empowering Bakeries
The Bread Maker in the UK Employees People with Learning Disabilities
<
54
Social Good Cuisine
Social Good Cuisine
La Tablée des Chefs Teaches Kids About Nutrition While Feeding the Homele
<
53
Stuff-Sharing Social Enterprises
Stuff-Sharing Social Enterprises
Unstash Fosters Collaborative Consumption for Sustainability
<
52
Digital Literacy Agencies
Digital Literacy Agencies
New Found Network Employs Youth to Create Nonprofit Campaigns
<
51
Upcycling to Fight Poverty
Upcycling to Fight Poverty
The 'Recycle Not a Waste Initiative' Empowers Ghanian Street Youth
<
50
Community Giving Sites
Community Giving Sites
'A Little More Good' Helps Vancouverites Give Back to their Communities
<
49
Social Nutrient Packs
Social Nutrient Packs
'Valid Nutrition' Pastes are Made Locally Where They Are Needed
<
48
Group Solar Deals
Group Solar Deals
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) Helps Neighbours Get Discounts on Green Energy
<
47
Eco Community Centers
Eco Community Centers
Evergreen Brick Works is a Social Enterprise Fostering Nature in Toronto
<
46
Soaps That Employ
Soaps That Employ
CLARITY Offers Job Opportunities for the Blind and Disabled
<
45
Altruistic Eye Surgeries
Altruistic Eye Surgeries
Aurolab is Eliminating Needless Blindness via Affordable Cataract Surgery
<
44
Safe Trash Enterprises
Safe Trash Enterprises
Waste Ventures Incubates and Empowers Garbage Collectors
<
43
Social Enterprise Gift Baskets
Social Enterprise Gift Baskets
'Saul Good' Sells Eco and Socially Responsible Presents
<
42
Philanthropic Print Platforms
Philanthropic Print Platforms
Help Ink Connects Socially Concerned Consumers with Feel-Good Art
<
41
Wasted Apple Beverages
Wasted Apple Beverages
Batlow Premium Cider Stems from the Australian Co-Operative
<
40
1 for 1 Toothbrushes
1 for 1 Toothbrushes
When You Buy From Smile Squared, They Give to a Child in Need
<
39
Strategists for Change
Strategists for Change
Junxion Strategy offers Social Purpose and Sustainability Management
<
38
Scarves for Education
Scarves for Education
Zaanha Fashions Help Send Children in Afghanistan to School
<
37
DIY 1 for 1 Businesses
DIY 1 for 1 Businesses
'Buy One Give One' Lets Anyone Create a Social Enterprise
<
36
Farmer-Empowered Beekeeping
Farmer-Empowered Beekeeping
'Under The Mango Tree' Services Both Ends of the Honey Market
<
35
Industry-Tapping Social Enterprises
Industry-Tapping Social Enterprises
Australia's Thankyou Water Uses Profits to Fund H2O Projects
<
34
Revamped Castaway Accessories
Revamped Castaway Accessories
Project Repat Collaborates with Artisans in the Majority World
<
33
Paradigm-Shifting Marine Organizations
Paradigm-Shifting Marine Organizations
Blue Ventures is Funded by Non-Profit Distributing Projects
<
32
Austrian Innovation Hubs
Austrian Innovation Hubs
Emersense Brings Together Social Entrepreneurs in Vienna
<
31
Microloans for Homelessness?
Microloans for Homelessness?
Beyond the Cardboard Shares Stories, Interviews and Resources
<
30
Customizable Charity-Driven Accessories
Customizable Charity-Driven Accessories
C4 Belts are Socially Conscious and Eco-Friendly
<
29
Vibrant Opportunity Dining
Vibrant Opportunity Dining
Cafe Create Employs People Who Have Been Homeless
<
28
Fashion to End Violence
Fashion to End Violence
My Sister's Closet in Vancouver Sells Vintage Clothes for Good
<
27
Inclusive Economic Development
Inclusive Economic Development
Aavishkaar Invests in Rural Communities Through Entrepreneurs
<
26
Artist-Supporting Social Enterprises
Artist-Supporting Social Enterprises
Art Sumo Offers Paintings from All Over the World
<
25
Fair Trade Monsters
Fair Trade Monsters
Cambodia Knits Employs Marginalized People in Phnom Penh
<
24
Leadership Learning Institutes
Leadership Learning Institutes
The Social Enterprise Academy in Scotland Delivers the Goods
<
23
Entrepreneurship-Enabling Crafts
Entrepreneurship-Enabling Crafts
Buying a Prosperity Candle Helps Women Refugees Open a Business
<
22
Economically Empowering Jewelry Programs
Economically Empowering Jewelry Programs
Senhoa Benefits Survivors of Human Trafficking
<
21
Collaborative Consumption Infographics
Collaborative Consumption Infographics
The Unstash Manifesto Mixes Altruism with Action
<
20
Drink 1, Give 1
Drink 1, Give 1
Every Bottle of 1for1 Water Sold Brings Clean Water to Someone in Haiti
<
19
Surfing for a Cause
Surfing for a Cause
'Much Better Adventures' Help You Organize Ethical Travel Experiences
<
18
Youth-Led Coffee Shops
Youth-Led Coffee Shops
Studio 89, a Social Enterprise Cafe in Mississauga by YTGA
<
17
Eco-Conscious Sundresses
Eco-Conscious Sundresses
Worldstock Sells Fair Trade Goods, Giving 60-70% of Profits to Artisans
<
16
Fair Trade Weaving
Fair Trade Weaving
WomenCraft Offers Ethical Employment in East Africa's Mafiga Matatu Area
<
15
Life-Changing Macbook Cases
Life-Changing Macbook Cases
Della LA Creates Unique Accessories That Employ Women in Ghana
<
14
Antislavery Pants
Antislavery Pants
Punjammies by Women Who Have Escaped Prostitution in India
<
13
Nonprofit Coffee Shops
Nonprofit Coffee Shops
Strawberry Line Cafe Employs Adults with Learning Disabilities
<
12
Affordable Eco Fashion
Affordable Eco Fashion
'Pickled Green Clothing' Makes Sustainable Affordable Accessible
<
11
Alternative Food Networks
Alternative Food Networks
The People's Supermarket Focuses on Community Development
<
10
Soulful Wedding Sandals
Soulful Wedding Sandals
Sseko Designs Help Women in Uganda Earn Money for University
<
9
Ethically Refurbished Vests
Ethically Refurbished Vests
Toronto-Based 'Local Buttons' Partners with Tailors in Haiti
<
8
Rehab Restaurants
Rehab Restaurants
'Cafe Therapy' in Prague Helps People Overcome Drug Addictions
<
7
Custom Bottles with Purpose
Custom Bottles with Purpose
Miir Lets You Customize Your H20 While Supporting Clean Water Projects
<
6
Micro Loan Bikinis
Micro Loan Bikinis
RubyMoon Swimwear Donates its Profits to Female Entrepreneurs
<
5
Yoga Mat Repurposing
Yoga Mat Repurposing
Debrand Helps Brands Rid Their Materials in a Secure, Eco-Friendly Way
<
4
Sustainable Change Beads
Sustainable Change Beads
The Vibrant Andean Collection Supports Artisans in Ecuador
<
3
Ancestor-Inspired Accessories
Ancestor-Inspired Accessories
Wakami Helps Disconnected Communities Find Urban Markets
<
2
Eclectic Ethical Fashion
Eclectic Ethical Fashion
Upcycled 'Adamah Stein' Designs by Artisans in Senegal and Paris
<
1
Schoolbags That Give
Schoolbags That Give
Denim 'Benson Backpacks' Help Fund Education in Tanzania
<