The thrill of impact; serving those “at the margins” – GSBI alumni secures $20M.
FEBRUARY 13, 2018
The Winter Olympics have kicked off in PyeongChang, and for many, it’s a time to be inspired by the determination, perseverance, grit, and extraordinary abilities of athletes around the world competing for their countries. It’s an opportunity to take shelter from the barrage of devastating, politicized, and violent news. It’s an opportunity to come together, cheer, and celebrate. It’s a time to be uplifted.
For me and my team at Miller Center, working with social entrepreneurs offers a similar dose of energy and elation. These business athletes (aka social entrepreneurs) are applying all of their gifts and efforts towards addressing the needs of those without economic means. They work as teammates with the communities they serve. They too are driven and focused, hurdling over incredible obstacles, leading teams, and muscling their missions forward to provide pathways out of poverty. Every. Damn. Day.
They are harnessing the power of entrepreneurship in service to those who have been omitted from economic opportunities, born into circumstances that leave little access to energy, nutrition, or education. They are doing it for the betterment of humankind, for their country women, for their children, and for the values they hold dear. Which, in my humble opinion, is far more inspirational than the quest for gold.
It is my honor to introduce the 41 heroes participating in our GSBI® In-residence and GSBI Online accelerator programs this year. Over this year and beyond, we will accompany these champions in their journeys towards building sustainable, scalable, efficient businesses, so that they can help more people.
Accelerated, Agri-Invest Sarl, Azimuth, BEMPU Health, Bidhaa Sasa, Bodhi Health, ClickMedix, Coschool, Croton Industries, Cyrus Africa, Discovered, Dytech Limited, EarthSpark International, ECOSOFTT, Edupay, Effect.org, Elevated Honey Co., ENVenture, Tecnorural, ftcash, Fundaciòn Paraguaya- Poverty Stoplight, Gameheads, Good Nature Agro, GOODdler Inc, Grassland Cameroon Ltd, I-Saksham Education and Learning Foundation, Lal10, LRTT: Limited Resource Teacher Training, Miyonga Fresh Greens, Mnandi, Mobilized Construction, Moto Hope Micro Lending, Numida, Ongoza, SEWA Grih Rin Limited, Suyo, TaroWorks, Three Wheels United, UNTAPPED, VIA Global Health, Young Farmers Champions Network.
Please join me in cheering these inspirational enterprises on, as they exercise their passions and flex their gifts for making the world a better place.
In Celebration,
Cassandra Staff
Chief Operating Officer, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship.