About the Project
This project allowed fellows to research, engage with, and highlight the innovations, impact, challenges and opportunities of social enterprises. Working within a local (Nashville) and regional (US Southeast) scope, fellows profiled specific organizations, initiatives and their impact; mapped and analyzed the network of actors, relationships, and outcomes to understand the dynamics of the ecosystem today; identified and highlighted what they assessed as the most critical challenges and opportunities; and generated recommendations on what future actions might strengthen the ecosystem. Throughout the fellowship, students conducted desk research using library and other print materials or online tools; recruited and sourced interviews with different actors within the ecosystem (entrepreneurs, investors, support program managers, etc.); and produced a final report that provides a snapshot of the ecosystem today. Throughout the fellowship, students collaborated with, and were advised by, staff and faculty at the Walker Management Library and Owen Center for Social Ventures.This project ultimately led to greater visibility of the system level dynamics of social ventures, drawing more capital to grow their impact, and strengthening the network of those who use entrepreneurship to benefit people and planet through profit.
Mentors
HD McKay; Sierra Kline
Fellows
Saadika Salauddin; Jolie Hawthorne; Marcus Pranga
Project
Fellows produced reports which includes visual communication of key insights of their research.
- Marcus Pranga's Synthesis in the South project
- Saadika Salauddin's Under-Connected project