Despite India's impressive economic growth over recent decades, the country continues to face challenges of poverty, illiteracy, corruption, malnutrition and terrorism. Approximately 70% of the country lives on less than U.S. $2.00 a day. Yet, India is a home to over 3 million NGOs. Many of these leaders are working tirelessly to improve the social conditions of the country.

"Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of India" will challenge students to confront more advanced issues faced by today's social entrepreneurs. The field experience of the course will take students to Mumbai and India. Students will meet Social Entrepreneurs and NGOs working at all societal levels to understand grassroots' needs as well as the overall public health infrastructure in India.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Unlimited Capacity for Change

Our last day in Mumbai we went to the “Hub” - a place where social entrepreneurs, visionaries, and volunteers have a place to share ideas, and create and implement change. I loved being at the Hub. The place was built to welcome innovation and collaboration.


At the “Hub” we met with UnLtd India and Acumen Fund – both organizations that help build capacity for social entrepreneurs and projects.


UnLtd India is an organization that provides seed funding to start-up NGO’s and stands as an incubator for social entrepreneurs. Their goal is to help initiate NGO’s and accelerate their progress from inception. Whereas, Acumen Fund seemed more similar to an investment fund, supporting social enterprises.

I was particularly intrigued by UnLtd India and the sustainability they provide in initiating ideas and organizations. With such a large number of organizations failing within the first six months of inception due to various reasons (lack of money, sustainability, resources, etc) UnLtd India provides a mechanism for these organizations and ideas to continue to exist. Its just so much more than an organization folding within six months. It’s the community that could have been saved or the people that could potentially have better access to health care, better education or improved lives. UnLtd India really attempts to alleviate this.


It seemed quite fitting to be at the hub as today provided more of a space for us to think about logistically how this all works. How do non-profits exist? How do they remain sustainable? How do they get to the bottom line: Social Impact? Today helped hone in even more questions I continue to ponder over and marinate as I continue to think what else can I do and how else can improve existing organizations and/or ideas to maintain sustainability while improving lives.

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