They combine the dynamism of the private sector with the social conscience of the public and voluntary sectors, while avoiding the shortcomings of both.

 

Unlike traditional businesses, social businesses do not aim to maximise shareholder value. Their bottomline is social impact.

Unlike official aid or NGOs, social businesses are financially self-sustainable. They generate their own revenues and do not depend on donations.

 

And because social businesses repay their investors, the social business dollar can be put to work again and again.

 

This is why people from all over the world are seeing the value in social business. Over the last few years, the Grameen family has set up projects with corporates like Danone, Veolia, BASF, adidas, SAP, Uniqlo, Intel, as well as with governments and development agencies. The global financial and economic crisis has shown us that capitalism needs completing. Social business is an idea that has found its time.