30 Youth-Centric Social Enterprises

From Empowering Childcare Networks to $75 Tablet PCs

— November 20, 2011 — Social Good
SocialBusiness.org's top list of youth-centric social enterprises explores how social entrepreneurs are catering to the needs of the youth -- and of course, some are youth themselves. The old adage is that young people are the leaders of tomorrow, but as youth activist Bilaal Rajen claimed at this year's TEDxToronto, it's more like youth are the leaders of today.

The recently published Generation Sell piece in the New York Times Sunday Review had the Twittersphere (occupied by Millennials, indeed) a buzzin' with rebuttals and praises from all generations.

Indeed, youth-centric social enterprises were a passing mention in the article. "Nonprofits are still hip, but students don’t dream about joining one, they dream about starting one," writes the Times writer William Deresiewicz on the Millennial generation. "In any case, what’s really hip is social entrepreneurship — companies that try to make money responsibly, then give it all away."
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Child Labor Avoidance Apps
Child Labor Avoidance Apps
The Free2Work App Scans Barcodes to Unveil Standards of the Company
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28
$75 Tablet PCs
$75 Tablet PCs
The Aakash Computer is Meant to Modernize the Indian Countryside
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27
Empowering Childcare Networks
Empowering Childcare Networks
Cool2Care Matches Personal Assistants with Disabled Children
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26
Safe Neon Clothing
Safe Neon Clothing
BrightKidz is a Social Enterprise That Sells High Visibility Designs
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25
Change-Making Communities
Change-Making Communities
Ashoka's Youth Venture Empowers Young People to Promote Positivity
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24
Local Multimedia Messages
Local Multimedia Messages
The Community Film Unit is a Youth-Focused Social Enterprise
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23
Socially Savvy Decks
Socially Savvy Decks
Comet Skateboards is a Certified B Corporation Building Boards for a Cause
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22
Cause-Based Social Networks
Cause-Based Social Networks
KooDooZ Acts as a Soapbox for Youth Entrepreneurs
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21
Eco-Certified Athletic Balls
Eco-Certified Athletic Balls
Fair Trade Sports is a North American Purpose-Driven Company
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20
One-for-One Multivitamins
One-for-One Multivitamins
Life Equals is Partnered with Vitamin Angels to Fight Undernutrition
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19
Anti-War Whistleblowers (UPDATE)
Anti-War Whistleblowers (UPDATE)
The Falling Whistles Company Aims to Help Congo Through Activism
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18
Mission-Driven Kids' Foods
Mission-Driven Kids' Foods
Nest Collective Makes Healthy Options More Accessible
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17
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Better World Books Aims to Alleviate Poverty Through Literacy
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16
One-Saves-Two Vaccines
One-Saves-Two Vaccines
'OneShot Global' Offers Meningitis Protection Using the TOMS Giving Model
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15
Playful Social Entrepreneurs
Playful Social Entrepreneurs
Darell Hammond and KaBOOM! Build Over 1,800 Playgrounds
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14
One-for-One Prenatal Vitamins
One-for-One Prenatal Vitamins
Build Nutrition Tackles Malnutrition in the Majority World
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13
Ready-to-Use Food Campaigns
Ready-to-Use Food Campaigns
Two Degrees is a One-for-One Company Selling Nutrition Bars
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12
Innovative Training Centers
Innovative Training Centers
Striding Out Supports Young Social Entrepreneurs
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11
At-Risk Teen Tees
At-Risk Teen Tees
Tees at Risk Sells Original Works from Troubled Teenagers
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10
Youth-Oriented Finances
Youth-Oriented Finances
MyBnk Teaches Money Management and Entrepreneurial Skills
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9
For-Profit Social Ventures
For-Profit Social Ventures
The TOMS Shoes Movement Creates Customer-Philanthropists
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8
Benevolent Beaded Bangles
Benevolent Beaded Bangles
The FEED Kenya Bracelet is a Stylish Strategy to Feed Hungry Children
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7
Embedded Generosity Frocks
Embedded Generosity Frocks
Whitten Grey Gives Away One Dress for Every Dress Bought
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6
Ethical Silk Scarves
Ethical Silk Scarves
‘Cambodian Threads’ Gives School Supplies to Impoverished Kids
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5
School Bags for Good
School Bags for Good
The Ark Collective Backpacks Help with a 'Get to Give' Model
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4
Socially Aware Streetwear
Socially Aware Streetwear
Ed's Threds Supports the Nettlefold Foundation to Prevent Youth Suicide
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3
Alternative Education Enterprises
Alternative Education Enterprises
KO2 is a Community Interest Company with a Love for Dirtbiking
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2
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
The Global Block Foundation Promotes Personal Sustainability
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Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Jaipur Rugs Creates Tantalizing Products for You to Happily Walk On
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