Sophia Szlachetko’s Post

Here are some of my learnings from our panel on: Boosting social impact through strategic partnership investments ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #Strategicpartnerships that bring diverse organisations together to form #blendedfinance models & knowledge transfer for social businesses are an opportunity to make the case for underfunded sectors like WASH and waste Michael Mapstone asserting us to rethink, which ones are the real vs. perceived risks? And weighing that against the opportunity to learn and experiment Owais Shafiq setting the expectation that although it’s fully possible for organisations to come into a partnership with different objectives, the challenge will be measuring for progress on those different points Åsa Skogström Feldt’s practical advice on partners creating a shared #theoryofchange at the beginning of the partnership, and regularly revisiting it yearly Kajetan Hetzer ‘s reminder that one way to navigate complex partnerships is to keep focused on the objective of giving the champions (the #socialentrepreneurs) a real chance Baker Bozeyeh shining a light on the common problem for social entrepreneurs in underfunded sectors, which is the need for ticket sizes in the “missing middle” of 100-500k Thank you as well to Nicole Van De Hoeve CFP Jan Cherim Willem Sodderland for actively shaping the discussion with us! I learned a lot at #BusinessofImpact and hope we can continue pushing the conversation Impact Europe ! 🙏🏼

Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of innovation, driving change and creating value in every corner of the globe. Global Entrepreneurship Network is committed to celebrating these visionaries while fostering a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem. As we build up to Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) from November 18-2, GEN continues shaping the future by supporting entrepreneurs from every continent, regardless of background or circumstance. 🌍 📊 Dive into the 2024 Impact Report to see how GEN is dismantling barriers, promoting inclusivity, and uniting entrepreneurs to build a more innovative future. Stay informed and get involved as we build up to GEW and continue to uplift entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/digbXtm4 #MotseCollectiveImpact #GlobalEntrepreneurshipNetwork #GENSouthAfrica #CollectiveImpact #SmallBusinessDevelopment #EcosystemBuilding #EcosystemBuilders

We are proud to announce the launch of the "Toolkit for Inclusive and Relevant Business Support for Indigenous Entrepreneurs." This toolkit is not just a guide; it's a testament to the power of collaboration and mutual learning with Indigenous Peoples and communities. The toolkit was prepared by my colleague Anh Nguyen, our Research Specialist at Impact Hub Phnom Penh, and Ayesha Slater (Indigenous Yirrganydji), capturing rich knowledge from our network and insights from Impact Hubs around the world, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and IPOs, all aiming at reshaping entrepreneurship support to be more relevant and inclusive. It was made possible through a partnership between Impact Hub Network and FSC Indigenous Foundation. The toolkit centers on principles of trust, inclusion, accountability, and collaboration. We believe in honoring and walking alongside Indigenous Peoples, recognizing the rich wisdom and invaluable insights they bring not only to the entrepreneurial landscape but also to sustainable and just development. 👉 Click here to find more about the toolkit: https://lnkd.in/gdDkpnpp  #Trust #IndigenousWisdom #InclusiveEntrepreneurship #SustainableDevelopment #ToolkitLaunch

A great discussion with Deepa Lounsbury of LabStart on ways to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in climate tech and “making the umbrella bigger for who gets to be a climate entrepreneur,” along with the reality and challenges in the entrepreneurial space. Listen here: https://loom.ly/CTK-QUg "Underrepresented people are often underrepresented because they are undersupported." - Deepa #entrepreneur #ClimateChange #CleanEnergyRevolution

Let’s celebrate Indigenous communities and the richness of their knowledge this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples! 🎉 We partnered with the FSC Indigenous Foundation to co-create a unique toolkit for enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in entrepreneurship for Indigenous entrepreneurs. These pages contain more than a collection of tools; it’s a starting point for aligning business support with the deep-rooted values and needs of Indigenous communities. Together, we can reshape entrepreneurship for inclusivity! Download the toolkit: https://lnkd.in/g7XtH4HK #IndigenousBusiness #ImpactEntrepreneurship #FSC #ImpactHub #WorldIndigenousPeoplesDay

One of the distinctive elements of The Abundance Summit hosted by Boston New Technology (BNT), Arielle for Africa LTD, and Prepare 4 VC will be our lightning talks, with the first one starring one of the greatest entrepreneurs I've ever worked with --- Alisha Overton, Founder and CEO of The AO Planner Company. Alisha's is a tale of two cities -- Chicago and Boston, and in the case of the latter it's a classic story of a mutual embrace. Alisha's grit, cleverness, and drive are all valuable traits to learn from. Come to The Abundance Summit and learn about what she's come up with, how she got to where she's at and what you can do to venture forward. Link to register in the comments! #womenwholead #femalefounders #championfounders #TheStartupOasisJournal

"Success isn't just about the idea; it's about believing in your ability to bring it to life." From Day 1, Circular has been more than just a concept - it’s been a movement. A movement to empower South African entrepreneurs, especially those who have been overlooked in the digital space where others have stopped adding value outside becoming social media 'guru's. We’re here to change that, making digital success accessible without breaking the bank. A special digital high five to Monique Sacks, who has believed in Circular from the very start. As a Co-Founder, your unwavering support and belief in what we do have been a driving force behind our mission to fundamentally change the landscape for South African entrepreneurs. Together, we’re not just talking about change; we’re making it happen. Here’s to enabling everyone to achieve digital success and driving the economy forward, one entrepreneur at a time. 🙌

4 Actionable Tips to Support BIPOC Entrepreneurs in Your Corporation Corporations have a powerful role to play in fostering a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Here are 4 steps you can take to make a real difference: Diversify Your Supplier Network: Seek out and partner with BIPOC-owned businesses certified by organizations like the NMSDC. This strengthens your supply chain and injects diverse perspectives. 🌍 Invest in Mentorship Programs: Connect your experienced leaders with BIPOC founders. This invaluable guidance can propel their businesses forward and foster long-term relationships. 🤝 Review Funding Practices: Audit your investment and grant programs to ensure fair and inclusive application processes. Consider setting aside a specific percentage of funding for BIPOC-owned ventures. 💼 Advocate for Policy Change: Support policies that promote equitable access to capital for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Lobbying efforts can create a more supportive environment for all founders. 🏛️ Let's move beyond awareness and take action! Together, we can create a thriving landscape where BIPOC entrepreneurs flourish. #DEI #SocialImpact #BIPOCFounders #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs #CorporateAction

In our 2023 #ImpactReport, we celebrate the unexpected pathways taken by founders around the world and the Endeavor Entrepreneurs who are building thriving ecosystems in their markets by dreaming bigger, scaling faster, and paying it forward. Dive in here and enjoy the reading ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dTYFsRK5

At the #SIDS4 conference in Antigua and Barbuda, I highlighted 3 critical roles the private sector can play: 1/ It’s not just trade and finance policy that affects your bottom line. Invest in human welfare, climate resilience, and decarbonizing supply chains. The Race to Zero initiative has been a remarkable example of this (which I highlight in detail in my new book!). Data shows it’s in the corporate sector’s interest. 2/ Purpose-driven entrepreneurs can rapidly accelerate business ideas around innovative solutions—from AI to climate change—with the right policy framework. SIDS initiatives like FutureBARBADOS offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to incubate their ideas in SIDS, with policy support, enabling them to scale faster than in other places. This is what policy entrepreneurship is all about. 3/ Private sector investment can be catalyzed by public investment, and the #BridgetownInitiative 3.0 offers many ideas to achieve this. It is open for consultation now through June 30th! Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/emnW-qKN #PrivateSector #ClimateAction #Entrepreneurship #Sustainability #Investment #FutureBarbados #BridgetownInitiative #PolicyEntrepreneurship Annabel Lee McShane Bickford Nikola Ivezaj Tamaisha Eytle (she/her) Pep Bardouille