Social impact at LBS

At London Business School, we embrace the transformative potential of business in driving positive change. In today's evolving landscape, the call for entrepreneurs to think beyond profit and consider their social and environmental impact has never been louder.

Our dedication to responsible entrepreneurship goes beyond conventional boundaries, as we strive to build a sustainable and inclusive future. Through our array of initiatives, we empower our students and alumni to become catalysts for meaningful societal impact and foster a vibrant community of change-makers.

Social enterprise

A social enterprise is a business entity that operates with a core mission to create positive social or environmental impact. While generating revenue and ensuring financial sustainability, social enterprises prioritize addressing social problems or contributing to the well-being of communities and the planet. They address societal or environmental challenges deliberately, with the intent to deliver measurable high-impact solutions that create a stable and sustainable new equilibrium. They combine business acumen with a deep sense of purpose, aiming to make a difference through innovative approaches and sustainable business models.

Social entrepreneurship

In today's evolving business landscape, startups are increasingly recognizing the importance of creating a positive social impact alongside their primary goals. These startups, while not strictly social enterprises, integrate initiatives that contribute to communities and the environment. They understand that in our socially conscious world, success is linked to corporate responsibility. Their efforts may include charitable initiatives, sustainable practices, and partnerships with non-profits. While profit remains a priority, they embrace their role in a changing world by considering their social and environmental impact as a fundamental aspect of responsible business.

Impact investing

Impact investment is gaining momentum, with investors actively seeking startups that align with ethical and sustainability criteria. This makes it a win-win for startups that prioritize both profit and purpose, as impact investment provides crucial support for their mission to drive positive change

At London Business School, we invite you to join us in building a better future through responsible entrepreneurship. Whether you aspire to launch your own social venture or drive impact within existing organizations, our social entrepreneurship initiatives provide the knowledge, resources, and unwavering support you need to transform your aspirations into meaningful reality.

Discover the power of social entrepreneurship at London Business School. Together, let's forge a path towards a brighter world—one venture at a time.

Our offerings

EMiR Programme

At the heart of our social entrepreneurship offering lies mentorship. We connect our students and alumni with experienced and passionate mentors who are themselves successful entrepreneurs. These mentors bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world insights, guiding our students as they navigate the challenges of building sustainable social ventures. Their expertise is invaluable in nurturing the next generation of change-driven leaders.

Find out more about our current social entrepreneur mentors who are part of the EMiR mentorship programme here.

See the EMiR programme

Teaching

The School’s curriculum offers a specialized elective course on growing social enterprises which is designed to provide students with a profound understanding of the interplay between business and social change. By equipping students with the tools and frameworks necessary to analyze complex social issues, we empower them to develop innovative solutions. Through engaging projects and illuminating case studies, students gain hands-on experience and cultivate the skills needed to make a tangible impact. The course explores what is unique about social enterprises, if the conditions are present for this market to grow systematically or if it is a passing fad.

Managing and Investing in Responsible Business

MIRB explores how integrating Responsible Business practices and ESG factors in corporate strategies can effectively address global challenges. The program aims to reshape students' perspectives on business and finance by empowering them to pursue broader stakeholder value with positive societal impact. While emphasizing the societal value, it also stresses the essential role of profitability. A core principle is that a responsible business approach can be more lucrative than a sole focus on shareholder value.

Other courses include ‘Using Analytics for Social and Environmental Impact’, ‘Energy Markets: Transitions to Sustainability’, ‘Finance and Sustainability’ and more.

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Impact Investing

Closely linked to MIIINT is the Student Impact Investment Fund (SIIF) which was founded in 2018 as a student-led donor advised group at the London Business School representing one of the first impact funds at a graduate business program in the U.K. SIIF emerged from LBS’ successful track record at MIINT, and is today recognised by all stakeholders as a highly valuable experiential educational platform with meaningful impact.

Details of the SIIF Investment Process can be found here.

Podcast

Discover the essentials for launching and growing a sustainability-focused business in this episode of Entrepreneurship Now. Join Jane Khedair, Executive Director of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital at London Business School, as she hosts a diverse panel of impact entrepreneurs. They delve into the challenges faced by startup businesses, share their motivations and driving forces, and explore the ways they've accelerated their business development through fruitful collaborations with various societal stakeholders. Explore the keys to sustainable entrepreneurship success here.

Social entrepreneurs in the spotlight

We take pride in showcasing the extraordinary work of our social entrepreneurs making an impact. Throughout the year, we highlight a series of entrepreneurs who are making significant strides in their respective domains. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within our community. These entrepreneurs serve as role models, illustrating the immense potential of business to address pressing societal challenges.