Expanding the definition of profit. And possibility.
Impact entrepreneurs build enterprises around the idea that sustainable growth and social/environmental benefit don’t need to be exclusive concepts.
Any business can be an impact business. It doesn’t matter what you do or how your generate revenue, but every business can operate in ways that maximize stakeholder value - for your workers, your community, and the environment - not just shareholder value.
Get to know a social enterprise
There are countless impact companies in start-up mode in our region. Some of them are NeuroFlow, RoundTrip, LuxTech, and MilkCrate.
They provide impact by design. From offering compelling options for business sustainability and energy utilization to reimagining aid to underserved communities and those in crisis.
Others do impact based on how they deliver their products and services. How Wash Cycle Laundry provides services on environmentally-friendly wheels.
How First Step Staffing sources talent and supports vulnerable populations. How United by Blue buoys their bottom line with every pound of waterway cleanup.
And some manage to do both.
ROAR for Good is a certified B-Corp. Its flagship Athena devices promote worker safety.
Solar States, another regional B-Corp, also operates by the “both is better” mindset with a dual mission of installing solar and educating the next generation about the benefits of going solar.
Looking to start or advance an impact business? Start here.
Utilize the Investable Impact Toolkit
Utilize the Investable Impact Toolkit to begin identifying, tracking, and articulating your impact.
Understanding your enterprise’s impact can positively impact your business by attracting aligned investment, talent, partners, and clients, while also ensuring that your work is creating the impact intended on communities and/or the planet.
The Investable Impact Toolkit is a starting place for enterprises to understand their 5 dimensions of impact (i.e. What, Who, How, Risk, and Contribution) based on the Impact Management Project (IMP) framework through creating an impact statement, tracking your impact, and connecting with advisors and services that can help you take next steps.
The toolkit was developed in partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Investors Circle, with partial funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Apply for ImpactPHL Ventures
A multiplier effect for Greater Philadelphia’s impact ecosystem. Now $15 million more to support the growth of technology-focused early-stage ventures working to solve social, environmental, and health problems in our region.
ImpactPHL Ventures brings together impact investors with other seasoned investors interested investment performance criteria that includes social outcomes. Apply now »
Lead partners: Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Spring Point Partners, Investors’ Circle, Drexel University, Temple University, Safeguard Scientifics, Independence Health Group, and the Bucks County Retirement Board. Supported with a planning grant from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Resources for Start-up Entrepreneurs
ImpactPHL Ventures is a $15 million collaborative to grow early stage technology companies, focused on social, environmental, and health-focused impact, in Greater Philadelphia. ImpactPHL Ventures’ unique model unites existing impact investors with other seasoned investors that are now incorporating social outcomes into their investment performance criteria.
Investors Circle brings together impact investors and cutting-edge start-up entrepreneurs to scale solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Post screening, IC ensures the widest review of applications through their member network and sector-focused selection committees. Apply now »
Social Impact Projection is a future-looking impact measurement tool designed for early stage entrepreneurs and their investors. It uses the data you have about the financial growth of your business and creates a model for the growth of your impact.
Abaca is a tool from Village Capital that makes benchmarking the progress of your company easy and provides a common language for founders and investors.
Social Innovations Partners provides passionate social sector leaders with the knowledge, tools, and support framework to launch, pursue, and achieve their ideas.
Fulphil empowers Philadelphia’s university students to solve the city’s most pressing social problems through social entrepreneurship.