INTRODUCING THE ASHOKA GLOBALIZER

After defining and developing the practice of social entrepreneurship around the world, Ashoka now aims to link initiatives ready for global scale to the support they require to go global.

READ MORE »

MEET THE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

Selected from over 2,500 individuals in more than 70 countries, these Ashoka Fellows are ready to change the world.

READ MORE »

GLOBALIZER TIMELINE 2010

From competition launch to ongoing collaboration -- see how this first-ever process unfolds over the year.

READ MORE »

THREE DAYS IN VIENNA

An intimate and focused gathering of leading international figures from the social, business, and media worlds -- all sharing the same deep commitment to accelerating social change.

READ MORE »

SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA

Analyzing potential for global social impact, identifying the next "ready to globalize" social innovations.

READ MORE »

MINDSHARE

A private online platform enabling continued collaboration among this dynamic group of globally-minded entrepreneurs.

READ MORE »

Ashoka, the world's largest network of social entrepreneurs, has identified 25 projects poised for global breakthrough.

Here are some examples:

  • Empower children to take financial responsibility: Jeroo Billimoria has launched ChildFinance that will offer saving accounts and insurance to millions of street children.
  • Carbon neutral energy for the poor: Tri Mumpuni spreads carbon-free micro hydro energy to electrify developing rural areas and incubate enterprises.
  • Ending epidemic violence: Gary Slutkin's insight that violence spreads like infectious diseases has led him to develop a methodology that disrupts its transmission – in Iraq and the US and soon beyond.
  • From handicap to competitive advantage: Thorkil Sonne creates well-paid and sought-after market-based employment opportunities for Autistic people, who have a significant lower fault rate in e.g. software testing.

Supporting the global growth of great ideas: the Ashoka Globalizer

For the first time, Ashoka will bring the social entrepreneurs behind these ideas and 21 of their peers together with leading entrepreneurs from the private sector, to match social innovations with the resources needed to achieve global scale. They will share their insights into growth strategies; and draw on their experiences to help the social entrepreneurs create the best strategies and partnerships.

Pioneering the globalization of the social sector

Why this is revolutionary? In contrast to the private sector, where great business ideas go global to serve customers around the world, no such market forces have been at work in the social sector. Although many social innovations have proven to solve societal problems, they too often remain local. Ashoka has set out to change this scenario. The Ashoka Globalizer is the first initiative of its kind, and will run every year with the support of leading entrepreneurs and enterprises.  Jonathan Soros says: β€œFor thirty years Ashoka has been supporting local innovators around the globe.  Now the Ashoka Globalizer will take the best of those innovations and give them a chance at global impact.” This year's launch of the Globalizer has been supported by the Essl Social Prize.