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GSBI 2008
The GSBI 2008 application process is complete and the finalists have been notified. We thank all who participated and hope that the process was useful for all. The GSBI-2009 application process will be announced in December 2008.
The Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI), a program developed by Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society, assists social benefit entrepreneurs in developing business plans that enable their organizations to reach increasing numbers of beneficiaries. The GSBI consists of three major components:
The application process involves completing three exercises where applicants define their target market (beneficiary), value proposition, and business model. Applicants should begin preparing their exercises now and post them on Social Edge beginning January 2, 2008. Each submittal is reviewed by a GSBI staff member (the GSBI Application Task Force). Social Edge members also are invited to review and comment on the exercises of any organization. Participants in the 2008 GSBI in-residence program will be selected from those organizations that complete all three exercises. The two-week in residence program, held each summer (this year: August 19 - August 31, 2008) at Santa Clara University in California, is a two-week “boot camp” in which 15-20 social benefit entrepreneurs, working with faculty and mentors, learn key business skills for managing sustainability and scalability, and complete a strategic business plan and one-year tactical plan for their organization. Living and learning together, participants develop common conceptual skills and the sense of community that is essential for peer-to-peer collaboration and access to mentor support following the residential program. Participants develop know-how in critical areas of business planning, including: focused mission/vision, target market segmentation, business models, finance, organizational capacity building, and metrics. The GSBI combines classroom instruction, case studies and business plan development with carefully matched mentoring tailored to the needs of each organization. Through access to world-class partnerships and resources, participating social benefit entrepreneurs are empowered to accelerate their impact. This is a transformational program for people with the power and vision to change the world. How to participate: Complete the Business Planning Exercises Complete the following three GSBI Business Planning Exercises:
The exercises and collaboration are intended to benefit the entire social venture community, accelerating our knowledge sharing and our understanding of foundational principals behind scaling and sustainability. In the description of the exercise, the Aravind Eye Care System is used as an example. A separate full example, BushProof, also is provided for your review prior to completing the exercises for your organization. Each of the examples has slightly different level of detail. You should use these examples as a guide for completing the exercises, but your answers should focus on the specifics that best characterize your organization. Complete the GSBI exercises on Social Edge, and view and comment on other organizations’ exercises if you wish. The GSBI Application Task Force will review and comment on the exercises of all 2008 GSBI applications (submitted by the due dates above). After the application process is over, Social Edge provides a “knowledge repository” for the GSBI Business Planning Exercises, enabling Social Edge members to search/access the information in the exercises, and to use this information for collaborating with others. Finalists will be invited to apply to the GSBI In-Residence Program By March 1, 2008, the GSBI-2008 mentoring team will select finalists for the GSBI from those applicants who have completed all three exercises. Finalists will be asked to submit (by email) a short application form and a letter of support from their Board (the application form and “pro forma” letter will be available on Social Edge and will be submitted via email). The application form deadline is March 10, 2008. The participants are selected from the finalists and are expected to be chosen and notified by March 31, 2008. Best wishes and good luck, Social Edge and GSBI |
GSBI Class of 2007: Read about the Global Social Benefit Incubator's Class of 2007. Global X: Watch some of the past GSBI participants as they describe their experience in a new series of video interviews by Global X. * The Scholarship: The scholarship covers tuition, room, and board for the two-week intensive immersion program focused on venture planning, beneficiary analysis, business models, metrics and successful scaling strategies. Selected candidates are responsible for their travel expenses (airfare, ground transportation, passport, visa). |
