This story originally appeared in our May 5, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Entrepreneurs face common challenges to growing an idea into a profitable enterprise. Three successful social entrepreneurs offer their insights to Beyond Profit.

Social entrepreneurs are not very different from their counterparts in the business world when it comes to the challenges of starting, running and sustaining a business. However, when one’s business depends on offering solutions to a social problem in a profitable and sustainable manner, the question of identifying the problem is only half the battle. The other half is understanding the right product or service to take to the bottom of the pyramid (BoP). Before entering a market with a new offering, an entrepreneur should then have a clear understanding of which institutions are in place and which are missing, and how successful – determined by profitability – will the business model be. » Continue reading “Igniting the Spark”

Everyday this week, we bring to you some key findings of our Indian Social Enterprise Landscape Survey.

Main Sources of Financing – Limited access to the commercial financing

The survey results revealed that there is a clear divide between those that have access to mainstream and/or commercial funds and those that rely on personal connections and grants/donations to raise money. The ratio is about 50/50. Forty-five percent of respondents obtained funds from commercial sources whereas 21% of respondents source their funds from personal connections such as family members and friends; another 21% rely on grants and donations from charitable organizations.

The survey report, which offers an in-depth analysis of the results, is available for INR400/US$10. Just click the Social Enterprise Landscape Survey Report banner on the top of our website – www.beyondprofit.com or send an email to Asako Matsukawa atpublications@intellecap.com.

See other data sets from the Social Enterprise Landscape Survey

Revenue Stream

Profitability

Sectors to Watch