To foster social entrepreneurship through applied research, SKEMA Business School has launched the SKEMA Social Ventures Lab at the school’s Belo Horizonte campus in Brazil.
SKEMA believes that social entrepreneurship education not only supports an individual’s self-sufficiency, but also boosts creativity, empathy, rational thinking, and entrepreneurship skills.
Social entrepreneurs are active agents of societal change. While pursuing the creation of financial value, they offer innovative solutions to complex societal problems that are overlooked by incumbent businesses, civil society organizations and governments.
However, social entrepreneurs experience tougher barriers while starting up. In the startup phase, many of them face institutional barriers in terms of lack of financial, administrative, and informational support. This is why dedicated support is needed, which can include incubators, investment funds, coaching on different methods and tools, and so on.
The triple helix of SKEMA Social Ventures Lab
- As an academic institution, SKEMA Business School trains the talents of the knowledge economy to become individuals who create value for society and organizations.
- As a research centre, SKEMA Research explores new knowledge of social entrepreneurship and utilizes the findings via applied research to deliver methods and tools to social entrepreneurs.
- As an incubator-accelerator, SKEMA Ventures supports social entrepreneurs aiming to develop innovative, scalable value propositions for individuals or organizations, and society as a whole.
Applied research directions
- Frugal innovation
Leading scholar: Dr. D. Eduardo Rossetto
Frugal innovation is a process aimed at developing a value proposition by focusing on the essential functionalities and performance of the offering. This minimizes the use of material, financial and organizational resources throughout the value chain. It provides a substantial reduction in usage and/or property costs while meeting the prescribed quality standards while creating a frugal ecosystem.
- Reverse innovation
Leading scholar: Dr. Marine Hadengue
An innovation is reverse when it is first developed for and adopted in an emerging or developing market before “spreading” to an advanced market.
- Effectual innovation
Leading scholar: Dr. Dominique Vian
Effectual innovation is a process that is not based on necessary conditions but sufficient conditions. The purpose is co-creation of satisfying and viable futures from available means with others.
- Ecosystems of entrepreneurship
Leading scholar: Dr. Ludovic Dibiaggio
Combinations of social, political, economic and cultural elements within a region that support the development and growth of innovative firms and encourage nascent entrepreneurs and other actors to take the risk of starting, funding, and assisting new ventures. The replication of best practices of governance of ecosystems is context-dependent.
For more details, please contact Pauline Gane.