New York SBDC Research Network

There are a growing number of entrepreneurs, investors, consumers, and governments worldwide that are embracing the power of business to create positive social change. Social entrepreneurs are starting businesses that generate earned income (like traditional for-profits) while simultaneously generating a social benefit (like traditional non-profits), and an increasing number of consumers, job-seekers, and investors want to be a part of this emerging social enterprise sector. Andrew Delmonte, Social Enterprise Coordinator at the Buffalo SBDC , has created the Benefit Corporation Guide. Intended to be a legal roadmap for the small business social entrepreneur, the guide introduces the New York State benefit corporation, and guides prospective social enterprises through both the process of incorporation and the procedures necessary to meet the ongoing requirements of benefit corporation law. Download the Benefit Corporation Guide here.

From Andrew Delmonte , Social Enterprise Coordinator at the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State. The SBDC’s Social Enterprise Services include free one-to-one counseling in the following areas: social business planning, Benefit Corporation filing, social impact measurement and reporting, and financing your social enterprise. For more information contact Andrew at (716) 878-4030. Is your business venture motivated by more than profits? Do you want to start a “triple bottom line” business, to pursue both social impact and financial self-sufficiency? If so, Benefit Corporation legal status might be right for you. A Benefit Corporation is a hybrid legal entity that blends elements of nonprofit and for-profit corporations. It is taxed like a traditional corporation. It protects directors from liability for pursuing a social objective instead of simply profit. Benefit Corporations measure both financial and social bottom lines, and report their social and environmen...

Many companies are rushing headlong into using enterprise social networks to keep up with the Joneses, experts say. Enterprises blindly believe that they should implement social initiatives simply because others have. But they need to determine how social connections can make work tasks more efficient. As a result, companies often fail in their strategies because they haven't put enterprise social projects in the context of how their businesses operate. "There is no app for this." More from TechTarget

What is it about a job that fans the flame inside you? The obvious answer is money—a healthy bank deposit at the end of the month is a primary motive for working. For others it’s about achieving something meaningful; helping society and feeling rewarded in passion, not pounds or dollars or whatever currency you get paid in. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? Social enterprises are an innovative way for entrepreneurs to build their own business and make a change in society, too. Getting a social business off the ground has never been easier. Before you get started, of course, you’re going to need the passion. Are you hungry for social change? Do you have the business head needed to run a company? Read more from BPlans.com .

By  Javier.Saade , SBA Official As yet another massive blizzard hit New England on Valentines Day, the jointly hosted Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School gathering focused on social entrepreneurship and impact investing took place.   The dialogue was inspiring and the energy palpable amongst the 500+ people in attendance.  The Social Enterprise Conference, now in its 16th year, brings together academics, investors, public sector leaders, private sector entrepreneurs, non profit practitioners, and students passionate about all aspects of social enterprise - and this includes impact investing. This year the theme of last Saturday was the collective opportunity "to reflect on three critical stages of social enterprise: Intent. Action. Impact." The conference had keynote speakers, including Bill Drayton, CEO of Ashoka and the acknowledged father of social entrepreneurship globally - as well as topical panels, problem solving labs, and opportunities ...