This page is full of links which might inspire budding social entrepreneurs. Many of the 'organisations' listed provide funding to those interested in starting their own business.

Books

"Your Ethical Business" by Paul Allen - a handbook to starting and succeeding in ethical enterprise.

“Your Chance to Change the World: The no-fibbing guide to social entrepreneurship” by Craig Dearden-Phillips – tips for social entrepreneurs from social entrepreneurs; advice includes how to write a business plan.

"The Cultural Creatives" by Paul H. Ray, Sherry Ruth Anderson - explains how this group of some fifty million people are creating new social inventions and institutions, worldviews, and lifestyles that are environmentally sensitive, altruistic, idealistic, and could change the world.

“Careers Un-ltd” by Jonathan Robinson (a student and social entrepreneur) and Carmel McConnell (a change activist and consultant) - an inspiring book which encourages the reader to reject the conventional career path, and instead to be themselves, and embrace their sense of purpose and possibility. It is littered with examples of social entrepreneurs who have broken out of the corporate mould to pursue their dreams. An extract from the book is available here.

“Let go of the ltd assumption that doing what you love is something to relegate to your free time” Jonathan Robinson

“Practical Idealists: Changing the World and Getting Paid” by Alissa Wilson,  Ann Barham, and John Hammock – uses examples from over 40 individuals to show how you can succeed, create social change, and earn a living. There is some free content available on their website, including interviews and biographies. 

Journals

Innovations: Technology.Governance.Globalisation – A new journal with many case studies of successful social entrepreneurs. There is a lot of free content on their website. Oxford University students have access via e-journals.

Organisations

Ashoka - the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, develop models for collaboration and design infrastructure needed to advance the field of social entrepreneurship and the citizen sector. Their website contains profiles of Ashoka Fellows (leading social entrepreneurs).

The Hub - an incubator for creative ideas and a global community of people working to tackle social issues. It is a social enterprise which seeks to create places for these people which combine the benefits of "a member's club, an innovation agency, a serviced office, and a think-tank".

Make your Mark - a campaign run by Enterprise Insight and supported by the Office of the Third Sector. It tries to encourage young people to get involved in social enterprise. Their website provides information on how to get funding for new businesses.

National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) - an organisation which seeks to encourage more students to become entrepreneurs.

NESTA - The National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts: "Making Innovation Flourish". Provide funding for early stage companies.

Net Impact - a global member community of leaders who use business to improve the world. It has charters in many cities and universities throughout the USA and UK. Anyone can become a member for an annual fee, but there is some free content on the website, including member stories.

Observer Ethical Awards - the 'Jupiter Big Idea Award' is given annually for an ethical innovation.

Pioneers of Change - a network of social entrepreneurs.

The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust - provide essential finance and professional support to young people in Scotland aged 18-25, to set up and run their own businesses.

The Prince's Trust - offer start-up grants for 18-30 year olds to start their own business.

School for Social Entrepreneurs - provides training for those who want to start their own social enterprise.

Shell Livewire – offer start-up grants for 16-30 year olds to start their own business.

The Social Enterprise Coalition - the UK's national body for social enterprise - "work with members to inform the national policy agenda, share best practice and showcase the benefits of social enterprise." 

Unltd - a charity which provides support for social entrepreneurs. They distribute awards of up to 15,000. Their website also contains a directory of social enterprises which they support.

?Whatif!: The Innovation Company - work with clients to increase their innovation capability. Launched the 'Social Innovation Foundation' in 2003 to use the skills of the company to make world changing social projects happen without finances being a problem. They are not a funding body, but could provide valuable expertise to social entrepreneurs looking to start a business.

Free Advice

Kresse Wesling is a serial social entrepreneur, hosts one-to-one business advice sessions at the British Library’s Business and IP Centre. Click here for more information. An article about Kresse Wesling, from ethicalcareers.org is available here.