Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute
Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
Faculty: Dr. Philip T. Roundy, UC Foundation Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship
Phone and Email: Phone: 423-425-4422; Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Fletcher Hall; 412G
Course Meeting Days, Time, and Location: Thursday, July 6 – Wednesday, July 12 from
9:00am-12:00pm in Fletcher room 212
Required Textbook/Resources:
Book: Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie (any edition; print or electronic)
Brief Description: This week-long seminar will introduce students to the theory and practice of
social entrepreneurship. Topics covered will include: conceptualizing social entrepreneurship,
identifying social and business opportunities, creating social-impact business models, choosing
an organizational structure, developing strategic plans, measuring social and financial impact,
and funding and scaling social ventures.
Overview: “Neither government, nor charity, nor traditional capitalism has been able to solve
the world’s hardest social problems—poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. But a
new approach has arisen that gives hope that there are new ways to deal with old problems. It’s
social entrepreneurship—using business methods to solve social problems.”
-- BusinessWeek
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe (SUSI) is a program funded by
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by FHI
360, in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
1
Social entrepreneurship is defined as the creation of innovative organizations (for-profit or
nonprofit) to address social problems using business methods. Social entrepreneurs tackle some
of the world’s most challenging social, economic, and environmental issues, such as
homelessness, illiteracy, lack of access to food, clean water, or quality healthcare, and
environmental degradation. They combine the knowledge and skills used in traditional business
with a passionate commitment to making a societal impact. To accomplish their goals, social
entrepreneurs create ventures that are structured as for-profits, nonprofits, or hybrids. The growth
in the number of social ventures in both emerging economies and the developed world, and their
success in addressing social problems, has generated an explosion of interest in social
entrepreneurship.
What distinguishes social entrepreneurs from conventional entrepreneurs is their unrelenting
dedication to achieving a social mission, rather than measuring success exclusively by a financial
bottom-line. However, today's social entrepreneurs also must strike an important balance: in
order to thrive in a corporate-oriented environment and create effective organizations, they must
integrate business management principles with philanthropic goals. This seminar will focus on
this tension and on the mechanics of starting and managing a social venture.
Course Objectives:
In collaboration with community and university partners, this seminar will introduce students to
the theory and practice of social entrepreneurship. In doing so we will examine the strategies and
techniques social entrepreneurs use to scale their impact and make their ventures’ sustainable.
These strategies include innovations in business models, product and service design, marketing,
operations, and financing.
We will explore several, general questions:
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What makes social ventures different from conventional ventures and from traditional
non-profit and social service organizations?
What are the particular challenges that social entrepreneurs face as they start, strengthen,
and grow their organizations?
What are the business models and growth options pursued by social entrepreneurs?
What are the relative strengths and weaknesses of different organizational forms –
nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid – for addressing social problems?
What are the methods for measuring non-financial goals? How can one measure social
impact?
What sources of capital are available to start and grow social ventures, given that their
aim is purpose, rather than profit, maximization?
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe (SUSI) is a program funded by
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by FHI
360, in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):
In collaboration with community and university partners, this seminar will introduce students to
the theory and practice of managing across borders and social enterprises. In doing so we will
examine the strategies and techniques managers’ use to position their organizations.
The Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) for this course will be:
1. Students will understand the definition of social entrepreneurship and the social
entrepreneurship process
2. Students will understand the differences and similarities between social and traditional
entrepreneuership
3. Students will understand how to identify and evaluate social entrepreneurship
opportunities
4. Students will be able to construct a social venture business model using the Business
Model Canvas framework
5. Students will be able to present an oral pitch to community partners
6. Students will understand the funding sources available to social entrepreneurs
7. (Ideally!) Students will be motivated to make a personal contribution to social change
through social entrepreneurship, social intrapreneurship, and/or social innovation.
Who may benefit from this seminar?
This is a valuable course for students aiming to found, work for, invest in, or consult for forprofit or non-profit social ventures at any point in their career. Put simply, if you want to be
involved in social entrepreneurship – in any capacity – then this course will equip you with the
frameworks and tools you need to do so.
However, social entrepreneurship is more than just a collection of tools and techniques for
starting and growing a social venture. It's a mindset. It’s a way of looking at the world that is
both social problem-focused and creative. Indeed, at its core, social entrepreneurship is about
recognizing opportunities, exploring innovative approaches, mobilizing resources, evaluating
and subsequently managing risks, and building viable solutions. These are skills that will benefit
virtually all students, regardless of current major or future career path.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe (SUSI) is a program funded by
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by FHI
360, in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
3
SCHEDULE
Date
Topic
Afternoon Group
Work
Thursday, July 6th
Introduction to Social
Entrepreneurship
Social Challenges
Presentations:
Causeway
Footprint Foundation
UTC Community
Partnerships
Determine Project
Ideas
SLO
1, 3
1, 2, 3
Friday, July 7
th
Basics of Social
Entrepreneurship
Idea Presentations
Idea/Group Selections
Group Project Work:
Define Problem
Proposed Solution
3, 4, 6
Monday, July 10
th
Designing Social Venture
Business Models
Measuring Social Impact
Peer Feedback
Exercise
4, 5, 6, 7
th
Tuesday, July 11
Business Model Canvas
Reading Material
Discussion
Business Model
Application
Exercises
Presentation
Preparation
4, 5, 7
Wednesday, July 12
th
Project Presentation:
Business Model Canvas
Group Project Work
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe (SUSI) is a program funded by
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by FHI
360, in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
4
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES
Activities
Date
Entrepreneurial EngagementThursday, July 6th
River City Company
Leadership Development
Friday, July 7th
Session – Leadership Styles,
Teamwork and True Colors
Volunteer on CampusFriday, July 7th
Sustainability
Leadership Development
Monday, July 10th
Session- Networking
Entrepreneurial EngagementTuesday, July 11th
CO.LAB
Entrepreneurial EngagementWednesday, July 12th
INCubator
SLO
1, 2, 3, 5, 7
2, 3, 5, 7
3,7
5
1, 4, 6, 7
1, 2, 3, 6, 7
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe (SUSI) is a program funded by
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by FHI
360, in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
5