Do Social Entrepreneurs Live In Sand Castles?

P@SHA –Google Social Innovation Fund Proves Otherwise!

An idea is not just an idea when it floats in a boat that is sure to reach anchor. Judgmental errors with regards to the practice of Social Entrepreneurialism hamper a large-scale adoption of it within societies as it is thought of lacking a profit motive. After all, an entrepreneur is inherently a risk-taker engaging in a set of activities driven by a profit motive.

The effort becomes socially entrepreneurial when it solves a common problem being faced by the masses that has affected the quality of life generally, and the return sought is in social capital that can be tied to a profit motive. What makes Social Entrepreneurialism an even exciting practice is the fact that a good idea can create a ripple effect leading to an adoption of the same or a variant by neighboring societies. The biggest example of this in SAGE West is the concept of microfinancing introduced by Mohammad Yunus, via Grameen Bank.

On the international scale, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public has unified Social Entrepreneurs from different parts of the world gathered under one umbrella dedicated to the cause solving societal problems through innovative thinking.  More recently, Ashoka, the largest community of Social Entrepreneurs, has identified 20 key challenges to be tackled by 20 entrepreneurs that propose systemic changes and crack strategies. The same drive was brought home earlier this year by P@SHA and Google, in the form of a Social Innovation Fund.

Seking 25 social innovators, P@SHA-Google Social Innovation Fund was initially funded with a seed grant of US$250,000 to meet social needs in education, culture, medicine, environmental or any other community problem. What makes the initiative entrepreneurial? Although the seed capital has been provided by Google, neither P@SHA nor Google intend to have a stake in the idea funded which stays with the proposing party.

Where To Start?

It all starts with the participant putting together a mental map of the social problem he/she would like to filter out by challenging the existing status quo and driving change through technology. The same is then replicated on an application form submitted to P@SHA Social Innovation Fund website.

The participant proposes a unique solution that can be mobile or web-based, reaches a large audience-base and can be easily replicated.  As the initiative intends to foster a culture of Social Entrepreneurship driven by technology, a Pakistani nationality and residence is the only qualification required.

Judging the ideas and providing guidance at each step, is an Advisory Board, an Oversight Committee and a body of Outreach Gurus. From the initial pool of submissions, First Round of winners has been announced from the shortlisted candidates. These include Alif Lailah by Sabah Rehman, Bloodline by Farhan Masood, Online Store for Handmade Shoes by Waqas Ali, and Audible by Usman Siddiqui. The candidates shortlisted for the Second Round of review whilst these undergo further polishing over the next three weeks include Beopar, Pakistan Student Loans, Integrated People, Qeemat, Innovative BioGas Generator, Mobile Ustaad, and Pak Donor.

As shortlisted candidates prep up for the Second Round of review, winners to the First Round move onto the post-funding ten step plan.  For a total funding of $10,000 equivalent, the winner is assigned a mentor and a set of goals and milestones to be achieved over a 6 month period.  The fund is distributed in 5 deliverables post a sign-off by the mentor on the performance level achieved.

What’s Next?

As the current mentoring sessions for the shortlisted candidates and the winners to a close, the website for Social Innovation Fund will soon open up for fresher entries and yes, a fresh round of funding.

What is Ashoka to the world, can be P@SHA  Social Innovation Fund to a tiny country on the map that at least excels in brain power given the right channelization.  Yet, sustaining the same spirit for decades to come is the real challenge.