PGD Session 2-4
Session Theme: Dialogue: Building Practical Collaborations: Maximizing the Strength of Asian Social Enterprise
Session Time: 9:00~11:30, Nov. 30
Learn Know-Hows of Social Venture Incubating!
On the 30th, the 2nd Day of the Asian Social Entrepreneurs Summit 2010, many people despite the early time gathered around the stage for discussions on social venture incubating to acquire up-to-date ideas on social venture.
Joel Sadler of Re:Motions started off by introducing the successful cases of his prosthesis business. The prosthesis previously used in developing countries had constant problems with its quality. The high-quality products were not much help to the amputees due to its unaffordable high prices. After several trials, Sadler made his own prosthesis that was well-made at an affordable price. As a result his product has led to the basic rights of amputees being extended.
Francis Ngai Wah Sing, Social Ventures Hong Kong, as the next speaker, provided visions for social venture by introducing several successful cases. He introduced many different cases of social venture: 30S GROUP, a forum to lead social change in society through opinions and information platforms by professionals from many different fields. This produced a project providing cosmetic classes for youth criminals to make their own contribution to society, a tourism project by the blind to guide people in the dark, and a diamond taxi service for the disabled.
Yusuke Nojima, the Executive Director of the Japanese organization EDGE, introduced three of his social venture programs: the social business competition, the maintenance of the social entrepreneurs training center, and the fund for social entrepreneurs to launch their businesses.
Rahul Nainwal, Director of MITRA, India, presented his Project: Youth Social Enterprise Initiative (YSEI) which trains and guides young social entrepreneurs throughout South and South-east Asia. This program succeeded such that the poor handicraftsmen who were funded to export their products to the West; reaped profits far beyond their original funding. Not only providing successful cases, he also portrayed some of the failed projects in an attempt to provide practical information such as a model and methodology for success as social enterprise.
Sang-Hoon Jeong, of Work Together Foundation & Director of the Social Incubating Center, emphasized the need for social enterprise to be mindful of both profit and social responsibility. Jeong added, “The success of social enterprise only comes after solidifying its social mission and promoting innovative business items”. He stated that “there needs to be a specific program which provides networks and classes on business and well-trained incubators in order to train and develop social venture”.
