SOCAP strives to offer diverse content across the spectrum of business and capital innovation advancing social and environmental impact. SOCAP Open is a public submission platform that helps us source suggestions directly from our community. As in past years, SOCAP16 will include interactive sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and storytelling opportunities. By proposing a session idea and/or voting, we invite you to add your unique voice to the conversation.
Submit Your SOCAP Open Proposal Here
As you plan your submission, consider the most effective, engaging format for your content idea. The SOCAP16 themes are available to help you gain an understanding of some primary areas of programming, but we always welcome a variety of topics connected to the social impact movement. Don’t forget to check out the SOCAP Open FAQs and our Tips for Crafting a Winning SOCAP Open Idea as you develop your proposal.
Go behind the scenes of selecting which development innovations to fund and what the elements of a good proposal are. Are there “magic words”? Why do some innovators seem to be “darlings” and some can’t get a dime? Learn how donors, investors, and funders are collecting “business …
New investment structures and first time fund managers are gaining more traction as the broader field of impact investing grows and evolves. But can the larger community ensure the most attractive and vital investment vehicles and best managers rise to the top? How can the development of …
BUILD, a Redwood City-based organization serving high school students in under-resourced school districts, uses entrepreneurship to develop the skills necessary for high school, college and career success. Beginning in 1999 with four students, BUILD now serves more than 1400 students each year in Boston, Washington, DC and …
CONCEPT: In global development, we often think about innovation in terms of new technology or gadgets. While harnessing new technologies can create huge amounts of social good, we see tremendous potential in networking and accelerating the burgeoning global urban tech/social innovation movement to deliver impact at scale. …
While early-stage investment for entrepreneurs in emerging markets is growing, social enterprises still struggle to access the appropriate capital needed to help move them from “proof of concept” to scale. When banks are unwilling and invests are unable to finance the risk, blended finance - the mixing …
Small water enterprises (SWEs) are financially viable, socially inclusive businesses that offer demonstrated potential in providing a sustainable supply of safe, affordable water. They play a prominent role in filling the significant gap in access between basic technologies and large infrastructure by supplying fast-growing towns and slum …
Lack of funding for entrepreneurs of color has been addressed as a matter of under-representation. An emerging approach highlights the demographic change in the United States toward a majority minority economy. This panel will address the different avenues to a more inclusive ecosystem, focusing on the economic …
As the world morphs, there will always be new problems to solve, but how are we equipping the next set of social entrepreneurs to tackle them? This panel will discuss the leading tools and tactics to embed teaching social entrepreneurship to young adults and young students.
As the world morphs, there will always be new problems to solve, but how are we equipping the next set of social entrepreneurs to tackle them? This panel will discuss the leading tools and tactics to embed teaching social entrepreneurship to young adults and young students.
How does the sticky topic of “ ownership” figure in the discussions on inclusive entrepreneurship? In the world of creative artisanal products produced at the Bottom of the Pyramid, an endless succession of hands, handle each product. So… who owns what? Are there fair ways to share …
It takes a village to support an entrepreneur, especially a social entrepreneur. How do you build a village to support ALL social entrepreneurs? After a community of mentors, investors, and support organizations have been built, how can you ensure diversity and inclusion? This panel will discuss how …
As financial inclusion transforms into inclusive fintech, stupendous barriers remain ahead of the industry. The startups that will lead the charge from emerging markets have difficulty raising capital to accelerate their traction and the lessons they learn are usually not shared widely. To address those twin challenges, …
From education to healthcare to workforce development - the world’s most critical issues require powerful, scalable solutions. Often the best solutions don’t come out of think tanks or innovation labs — they come from the lived experience of founders. There is a rise in social impact companies …
The humanitarian organizations aiding refugees are not currently equipped with the resources to expend on human rights advocacy and those few groups that do attempt to fight for refugee rights find they lack the political leverage or financial resources to do so effectively. This session explores alternative …
The recent problems of unemployment of the youth as being a big concern to our organization and the recent Oil drop in the world market as being a treat to the Nigeria Economy, couple with the various security challenges in which Nigeria is currently facing in which …
Important 2016 Dates
- JUNE 3
Final day to submit an idea. - JUNE 1-15
Commenting and voting period. All sessions open for voting. - JUNE 16-28
Judging panel and final selection by SOCAP16 Content Team. - JUNE 29
Winning sessions announced to session organizers.
