While it may seem that a majority of social entrepreneurship ventures are in the start-ups, because they keep sprouting up in some fashion, these small social businesses learn from where they are, that is, from being a small business. They also tend to make use of being small whether it's through promoting their tight-knit team through a YouTube series on how the work gets done or personalizing a gift bag on its Kickstarter campaign.
From community resource recycling to micro loan bikinis, these small social businesses do a number of things with the resources they have -- for better or for worse. There is also the recently released Impact Report by ANDE that focuses specifically on small businesses.
36 Small Social Businesses
36
Sustainable Hipster Fashion
'Threads for Thought' is Eco and Donates Proceeds for Good
35
Ethically Refurbished Vests
Toronto-Based 'Local Buttons' Partners with Tailors in Haiti
34
Superstitious Karma Tees
'Reverse the Curse' Gives Goats While Helping Cubs Fans
33
Microloan-Giving Tees
The Naked Hippie Invests in Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in the Majority World
32
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Zambikes International Creates Jobs and Transportation in Zambia
31
Micro Loan Bikinis
RubyMoon Swimwear Donates its Profits to Female Entrepreneurs
30
Revamped Castaway Accessories
Project Repat Collaborates with Artisans in the Majority World
29
Gender-Based Violence Support
SHE WILL is a Project of the Acclaimed Global Enrichment Foundation
28
Community-Connecting Commerce
Cause.it is a Free Mobile App Pushing for Change
27
Business-Generating Grants
Popuphood Allows Entrepreneurs Six Months Rent Free
26
Small-Living Catering Businesses
'Hand Made Food' is an Independent Chef Kitchen in London
25
Community Resource Recycling
Bridport TLC Creates Partnerships to Reduce Waste
24
Business Development-Focused Cuisine
Exceline Catering's Founders Commit to Small Enterprise Ideas
23
Market-Based Poverty Solutions
Khosla Impact Invests in Products and Service for the World's Poor
22
Alternative Banking Loans
The Hilltop Microfinance Initiative Helps in Low-Income Entrepreneurs
21
Social Mission Totes
Cause Boutique Promotes a Variety of Worthy Causes
20
Luxury Organic Beauty Markets
The Detox Market Carries a Wide Range of Vegan & Toxin-Free Products
19
POS Social Enterprises
Frogtek Uses Cellphones to Bring Tools to Small-Scale Retailers
18
Debt-Countering Start-up Apprenticeships
Enstitute Matches Young Entrepreneurs with Founders
17
Supply Chain Integrating Loans
Kinara Capital is a Social Enterprise Supporting Startups in India
16
Women-Only Fitness Chains
'B-Fit' is a Turkish Gym and Social Enterprise
15
Alternative Micro-Investment Platforms
InVenture Helps Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries
14
Community Funding Platforms
Smallknot Helps You Invest in Small Businesses in Your Neighborhood
13
Purposeful Travel Opportunities
OneSeed Expeditions Invests in Community Through Exploration
12
Online Eco Printing
'A Local Printer' Offers Affordable Services for Offices
11
Local Food Biz Connectors
Sustaination Makes It Easy and Efficient to Get Healthy Food
10
Ethical Gastropubs
The Duke of Cambridge Serves Organic and Local Foods
9
Global Microfinance Networks
FINCA Provides Financial Services to Low-Income Entrepreneurs
8
Fairly Traded Arts & Crafts
Ethnic Supplies was Created by Ugandan-Born Ida Horner
7
Future-Oriented MDG Responses
Business Action for Africa is a Network of Collaborations
6
Latin American Business Accelerators
Agora Partnerships Supports Social Entrepreneurs
5
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
4
Crowdfunded Social Enterprises
OC Theory Makes a Difference by Funding Small Businesses
3
Neighborhood-Revitalizing Banks
Next Street Financial Works in Inner-City Communities
2
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
1
Small Biz Impact Reports
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs Released Its Data
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Recycled Plastic Tiny Homes
Gary Bencheghib's Home in Bali is Made with 35,000 Plastic Bags
Empowering Female Shirts
Londre Bodywear Launches Big V Energy Tank for Entrepreneurial Women
Woman-Owned Eco Totes
Digital Avenue is a Woman-Founded Spunky Tote Bag Brand Based in Toronto
Bacteria-Stitched Lab-Grown Shoes
Modern Synthesis Uses Plant Waste to Grow Microbial Textiles
Upcycled Sneaker Sustainable Bags
Bibi Bazz Designs the Limited Collection of Eco-Friendly Bags
Surfer-Inspired Sustainable Swimwear
Outerknown and Seea Launch a New Swim Collection
Low-Value Plastic Recycling Methods
Ashaya Aims to Reuse Non-Recyclable Plastic Packaging
Repurposed Sustainable Apparel
Toast Launches a Collection of "Creatively Repaired" Garments
Eco-Friendly Bath Essentials
Bebo Seeks to Reimagine the Packaging of Kid's Bath Products
Sustainable Crochet Unisex Handbags
Our Legacy Launches a New Range of Handmade Crochet Bags
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Eco Mission-Inspired Bracelets
Ecoalition Launches Eco-Friendly Bracelets to Support Its Mission
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
Digital Sustainable Food Solutions
Special Projects Debuts Eco Lenses to Help with Decision-Making
Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
Ooutliers Shares Insights From Successful Startups
On-Demand Fashion Production
Shein Moves Away From its Fast Fashion Roots with New Manufacturing
Algorithm-Free Social Media Apps
'RTRO' Connects Users in a More Positive Online Environment
Environmental Cost Receipts
ASKET's Impact Receipts Measure Water Usage, CO2 Emissions & More
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Circular Shopping Experiences
The Stock Market by Selfridges is a Sustainable Shopping Experience
Mix-and-Match Makeup Brushes
GoBrush's Parts Can Be Customized & Separated for Recycling
Cosmetic Sustainability Projects
LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Announces Sustainability Initiative
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
Sustainability-Driven Fashion Campaigns
pitusa's Sustainability Campaign Focuses on Reducing Waste
Customer-Driven Marketplaces
COS Clothing Partnered with Recurate on a C2B2C Marketplace
Fully Circular Fashion Brands
Reformation Aims to be 100% Circular by 2030 with 'RefRecycling'
Breakup-Themed Donation Pop-ups
Bumble Launches 'Ex-Boxes' Pop-ups for a Fresh Start
Usable Human Hair Materials
Green Salon Collective is Revolutionizing the Biomaterial World
Clothing Buy-Back Programs
Eileen Fisher Revolutionizes Clothing Recycling with Renew Program
Athleisure Resale Marketplaces
Vitality's New Platform Fosters the Purchase & Sale Of Used Apparel
Branded Sustainability Milestones
Craghoppers Celebrates 100 Million Recycled Plastic Bottles
Social Commerce Apps
GIST is an App-Based Social Platform for Sharing Purchases with Friends
Community Commerce Pop-Ups
TikTok Shop UK Opened a Pop-Up on London's Oxford Street
Experiential Social Clubs
Marshalls' Good Stuff Social Club Empowers & Connects Women
Microcation Planning Services
Going Places Travel Helps Plan the Perfect Short Vacation
Chic Sustainable Underwear Brands
Subset Formerly Known as Knickey, Launches in North America
Social Commerce Platforms
21 Buttons is a Social Fashion Shopping Network
Micro-Influencer Marketing Services
SCREENSHOT Micro Boost Refines the Brand-Creator Experience
Upcycled Laundry Hampers
Fashion Takes Action Concluded Canada's First Textile Recycling Pilot
Charitable Limited-Edition Leggings
Splits59 & The Goods Mart Create the "Do Good" Leggings
Black Female-Identifying Entrepreneurs Grants
The Startup Collective by Aveeno is Now Live
Integrated Influencer Marketing Platforms
SocialTalk Helps Users Discover, Track, and Connect
Ocean Plastic Bag Collections
Out of the Oceans Boasts Stunning Designs & a Sustainable Mission
Plastic Waste Brand Initiatives
Roberts Beauty Partnered with Oceanworks to Reduce Plastic Use
Secondhand Fashion Editorials
Vinted Styled a Shoot Exclusively with Vinted Finds
Textile Recycling Solutions
SuperCircle Secures $7M to Enhance Textile Recycling Infrastructure
Inspiring Eco-Aware Characters
Little Miss Waste Less Inspires Families to Reuse and Refill
Startup Bike-Sharing Services
Curve Electric Partners with SSCL to Launch a Public E-Bike Service
Green Medium-Density Developments
Brahn Smillie-Fearn Consolidates Built & Natural Environments
Open IP Shoe Initiatives
Thesus Opensources Sustainable Footwear Design to Drive Industry Change
Small Business Grants Program
eBay Kicks Off Its Fifth Annual Up & Running Grants Program
Gen Z-Targeting TikTok Tools
American Express & TikTok Launch the '#ShopSmall Accelerator' Program
Waste Tarp-Made Public Seating
The Membran Collective Joins the Urban Networks Project
Plastic-Free Compostable Sportswear
Community Clothing's Organic Athletic Uses Natural Materials
Gamified Custom Kidswear
Supermix Studio Empowers Kids to Create Their Own Apparel & Accessories
Pioneering Secondhand Search Engines
Beni Dominates Resale Marketplace with Innovative App
Reusable Contactless Cups
Starbucks' Borrow a Cup Pilot Explores Reusable, Recyclable Packaging
AR Secondhand Shops
American Eagle Outfitters' RE/AE Shop Spotlights Sustainable Goods
Microplastic Particle-Transformed Designs
The Tyre Collective Creates Products from Particles
Forest-Protecting Fashion Brand Initiatives
Canopy Leads an Initiative So Save the Forests
Drop-Off Recycling Stations
SIG's Recycle for Good Program Encourages Waste Reduction
Communal Social Health Clubs
STUDIO K Designs the BIÂN to Celebrate Third Anniversary
Pre-Loved Apparel Initatives
Ba&sh Launches its US-Based Second Hand Resale Platform with Archive
Wasteful Fashion Campaigns
Vestiaire Collective Reminded People to Shop Mindfully on Black Friday
Imperfect Produce Subscriptions
Odd Bunch Delivers Oddly Shaped Produce to Consumers' Doors
Sneakerhead Mentoring Programs
eBay's Sneaker Academy Turns Sneakerheads Into Entrepreneurs
Hybrid Community Supermarkets
The After Market is a Grocery Store and a Food Pantry
Startup Applicant Tracking Platforms
The 'Briteloop' Platform is Built for Small Businesses
Miniature Collectible Campaigns
The World’s Smallest Lines are the Focus of Influencer Marketing
Loneliness-Combating Social Campaigns
Hinge Launches the New One More Hour Campaign and Fund
Carbon Capture Clothing Collaborations
Walmart and Rubi Labs Have Partnered on a Pilot Project
Apparel Brand Industry Expansions
'Reebok' is Expanding to Enter the Micro-Mobility Space
Sustainable Sports Apparel
Umbro Launches the Undyed Collection to Encourage Sustainable Practices
Clothing Recycling Services
Marine Layer and Trashie Lead Sustainable Fashion with New Initiative
Slow Fashion Apps
Bandi's "New Year Reuseolution" Challenges Participants Not to Buy New Clothes
Reusable Disposable Cameras
Flashback is Reviving Disposable Cameras with a Sustainable Twist
Circular Fashion Shops
Asket Supports a Sustainable Fashion Future with Resale & Repair
Collaborative Cyclist-Themed Footwear
END. and adidas Join Forces on the Social Cycling Series
Waste-Reducing Culinary Starters
The Spare Food Co.'s Spare Starter Uses Surplus Farm Produce
Drop-Off Garment Recycling Systems
CheckSammy Launched a Circular Program in the U.S.A
Chance to win £10,000
Meet the Cornish upcycler inspiring people
Content Creator News Sources
Creative Brew Offers Daily Insight and News for Content Creators
Women-Supporting Clothing Brands
'Sozy' Aims to Support Women and Victims of Violence
Incubator Fashion Programs
SHEIN Celebrates 2nd Anniversary of Flagship Incubator Program SHEIN X
Small Business Investment Initiatives
'aeXea Capital' is Investing in Baby Boomer-Founded Brands
Battery Rental Services
Swobbee Launches an Online Marketplace for Rental Batteries
Circular Fashion Docuseries
The Road to Circularity by Coachtopia Shares Sustainability Challenges
Idea-Testing Startup Tools
Startup Idea Tester Streamlines the Early Stages of a Business
Community-Owned Solar Microgrids
This Microgrid Project Helps Build Energy Security in Puerto Rico
Private Social Photo Apps
The 'Retro' App Focuses on Mindful Sharing with Select Others
Expanded Denim Recycling Programs
Anthropologie Customers Can Turn In Worn Denim to be Repurposed
Community-Driven Clothing Companies
'Bombas' Makes a Donation for Each Item Purchased
B2B eCommerce Retailer Platforms
Walmart Business Streamlines Access to Essentials
Rental Bathroom Amenity Projects
Sojo and Clean the World Revolutionize Rental Amenities Recycling
Ethical Clothing Recycling Services
Retold Recycling Aims to Reduce Textile Waste
Circular Sustainable Apparel
The PANGEA Mangrove Sunglasses Help Fund the Mangrove Cleanup
Online Sustainable Fashion Toolkits
Fashion Takes Action Features an Important Resource
Pre-Loved Clothing Initiatives
Cornish Brand Seasalt Launches a Resale Program with Reskinned
Creatively Repaired Garment Collections
TOAST Emphasizes Sustainability in New Capsule
Microfiber Upcycling Methods
Xeros Debuts a Research Initiative for Upcycling Plastic Microfibers
Sustainable Textile Industry Practice
Soorty Introduces the Soorty Regenagri Initiative (SRI)
Secure Card Recycling Systems
Mastercard and HSBC are Making the Card Industry More Sustainable
Anonymous Gratitude-Exchanging Platforms
'A Little Optimism' Let's People Share Weekly Gratitudes
Hyper-Local Gifting Communities
On the Buy Nothing Project App, Everything is Given Freely
Marketing Mentorship Platforms
Sprout Social Launches as a New Business Mentorship Network
Entrepreneurial Mentorship platforms
GrowthMentor Connects Individuals for 1:1 Support
Recycled Polyester Partnerships
Inditex is Teaming Up with Ambercycle as a Polyester Provider
Social E-Commerce Platforms
TikTok is Launching a New E-Commerce Platform for Consumers
Financial Literacy Platforms
Secret U Supports Gen Z Women with Free Tools for Financial Success
Circularity-Centric Fashion Platforms
Gucci's 'Circular Hub' Aims to Curb Carbon Emissions
SaaS Influencer Marketing Tools
Beeing Social Launches 'Buzz Bee Buzz' for Influencer Marketing
Activism-Focused Apparel Capsules
Aéropostale and Global Citizen Launch a New Apparel Collection
Offline Community Marketplaces
Aerie’s Hidden Gem Marketplace Created a Shared Space for Brands
Rwandan E-Bike Expansions
'Ampersand' Raised $19.5M to Expand its Business Operations
Clog Takeback Programs
Crocs Introduces Innovative Retail Takeback Program for Sustainability
Entrepreneur Brand-Building Tools
IndieLogs Helps Founders Stand Out Through Personalized Profiles
Entrepreneur Support Communities
Hustle Cafe is an Online Space for Founders to Connect and Grow
Hispanic-Focused Business Opportunities
PepsiCo Unveils the Newest Greenhouse Accelerator Program
Post-Launch Entrepreneurial Newsletters
One Year Wiser Interviews People One Year After Launch
Network-Connecting AI Solutions
Village AI Connect with Your Network to Close Deals
Efficient Micro Habit Apps
Micro Habits Breaks Goals into Smaller Steps
Ethical Supply Chain Initiatives
'ASOS' is Taking Steps to Weed Out Vendors Who Use Child Labor
Pre-Loved Clothing Markets
Charity Super.Mkt Will Take Over Fenwick's on Bond Street
Inclusive Try-On Programs
Perfect Corp. Connects Beauty Brands with Digital Beauty Innovation
Sustainable Service Industry Toolkits
RECOUP Has Launched a New 'Bring it Back' Toolkit with PECT
Social Good Brand Practices
Dignity Coconuts Positions Itself to Combat Human Trafficking
Circular Luxury Clubs
'More' Supports More Conscious Shopping and More Accessible Luxury
Circular Garment Repair Services
Nanushka Launches a Garment Repair Service with Sojo
Refurbished Tech Initiatives
An Orland Town's Recycling Program Repurposes Refurbished Electronics
Collaborative Nonprofit Group Campaigns
The 'Little Labels, Big Impact' Campaign Raises Awareness
Children-Supporting Trust Initiatives
The Children who Trust Again Campaign Supports Abuse Victims
Outdoorsy Apparel Resale Programs
Moosejaw's New Marketplace Lets Users Buy & Sell Used Gear
Community Borrowing Apps
Borrow Encourages Neighbours to Interact and Share
Forest-Preserving Brand Initiatives
Three Prominent Chinese Fashion Companies Join Canopy
Business E-Money Services
Greengage Debuts a E-Money Service for Businesses to Handle Money Easily
Entrepreneurial Community Building
VenturePals Steps in to Help Solo Entrepreneurs Find Community
Community Social Apps
Beezle Social Keeps Users Informed Connected with Their Neighbors
Streamlined Start-Up Job Searching
Startup Jobs by Binh Pham is a Community for Job Seekers
Educational CSR Initatives
Shimanto Bank Contributes to Bangladesh's Education Assistance Trust
Philanthropic Investment Banks
Builders Vision Helps Build a More Humane and Healthy Planet