Building a Successful Social Venture: A Guide for Social Entrepreneurs

Drawing on the pioneering work of the Global Social Benefit Institute (GSBI) at Santa Clara University's Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, this book presents a tested framework for establishing and scaling social ventures. Authored by Eric Carlson and James Koch, who co-founded the GSBI, it distills insights from over 800 mentored social entrepreneurs and 200 Silicon Valley executives, offering a practical, real-world approach to driving social change.
The book details the GSBI model, which emphasizes a bottom-up approach to social change and focuses on base-of-the-pyramid markets. Part 1 introduces the core assumptions, while Part 2 outlines the seven elements of the GSBI business planning process. Part 3 then provides strategies for effective execution. Throughout the guide, "Social Venture Snapshots" illustrate how various organizations have applied these principles, complemented by numerous checklists and exercises to aid implementation.
Why You Should Read?
Access a proven, practical framework for planning and launching social ventures, derived from over a decade of real-world mentorship.
Understand the essential elements of the GSBI business planning process and how to execute them effectively.
Gain insights from diverse "Social Venture Snapshots" and apply practical checklists and exercises to your own initiatives.
Learn to leverage business principles for creating sustainable social impact and addressing global challenges.