Challenges in Launching and Growing Social Ventures

This course explores how founders, operators, and investors in social ventures are working together to address the most important social and environmental challenges in the United States. Students will engage deeply with key themes and challenges mission-driven enterprises and their investors face, from concept and launch to scaling and financing. The course will also provide an introduction to the scale and dynamics of national challenges such as the need to broaden the availability of affordable housing and home ownership, expand clean energy access, improve health outcomes while reducing health system costs, enable more workers to own their companies, close the access gap for fair financial products, and address the gender bias in the allocation of investment capital. Through case studies, lectures, and interactive discussions, participants will examine models of innovation, strategies for achieving social change, and the metrics used to evaluate impact. The course will also feature guest speakers who are leaders in the social enterprise sector, including founders of successful ventures and investors specializing in impact-driven portfolios. They will join us for unusually candid discussions about what it takes to drive sustained social progress and financial return. Together, we will analyze real-world case studies, explore the tensions and opportunities in creating sustainable social change, and equip students with practical tools and frameworks to navigate this evolving space. Whether you are interested in launching a social venture, supporting social entrepreneurs as an investor, or driving social and/or environmental impact within an existing organization, this course will provide actionable insights, critical perspectives, and valuable networks for building and investing in ventures that make a difference. It will also prepare you with a baseline understanding of fundamental social and environmental challenges facing the United States and the massive market opportunities available to people who can help to address them.