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.
In this interactive session participants will get to hear from a diverse group of women sharing their stories of breaking into impact investing, navigating the VC world, finding mentors, and driving the future of investing for profit and purpose. The goal is for participants to walk away …
By voting with their wallets, millennials are driving the growing trend of “conscious consumerism,” choosing brands that give back over those that don’t. However, as the one-for-one business model becomes more ubiquitous, how can brands that want to do good stand out in the participation economy? This …
For those living in food deserts, choosing to eat healthy is often unrealistic. For people in affluent neighborhoods, overpaying for healthy meals on-the-go is reality. What if there was another way? By taking the first step to educate and support low-income families, while ensuring access to affordable …
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 …
As more and more entrepreneurs join and build the impact sector today, we often feel that we are tackling important global issues in isolation. Who is there for us to discuss the most important things in our lives? How do we best support social entrepreneurs in meaningful, …
As more and more entrepreneurs join and build the impact sector today, we often feel that we are tackling important global issues in isolation. Who is there for us to discuss the most important things in our lives? How do we best support social entrepreneurs in meaningful, …
Every entrepreneur has gone through a period in their company’s growth that had the potential to make or break the company. This is a pivotal moment that causes every leader to question their strategy, leadership, decisions and future. Ultimately, they find the solution through focusing on their …
Our present economic system prioritizes growth and short-term outcomes, putting humans and ecosystems on a collision course with the finite, physical limitations of the biosphere. There is, however, a new economic movement afoot – one that works to value and regenerate capital assets. The regenerative paradigm draws …
In this panel discussion, Rags2Riches, a Philippines-based social enterprise empowering local artisans, and Alter Eco, a San Francisco-based social enterprise working directly with cooperatives of small-scale farmers, share how their work to create and support farmer cooperatives and artisan communities in Asia and Central and South America …
In 2008, Found Animals Foundation had 1 employee and lofty ideas about how to fundamentally change the way we save pets and enrich lives. Today, they’re a global social enterprise with 70+ staff, 600+ volunteers, 1+ million B2C customers nationwide, and 30+ strategic partners worldwide. In this …
Opportunities to learn are more varied and widely available today than at any time in history — from robotics camps and coding jams to maker spaces and MOOCs. So why are millions of youth disconnected, under-educated, and under- or unemployed? LRNG Cities are fueling the access, guidance, …
Current models of leadership development are based in organizational structures, but now that a third or more of the workforce is working independently-including many of you in the audience at SOCAP or those you support-leadership development has new meaning. Many who have stepped out on their own …
Social Impact Bonds are hot. But Social Impact Incentives may be a logical next step: an effective way of leveraging pay-for-success for social enterprises delivering real impact. We’ll explore how Social Impact Incentives are attracting investors to enterprises in Latin America and what they teach about new …
There is an ongoing debate as to whether there is a trade-off between social and financial returns in impact investing. In this debate, the question is often framed as, “Can you maintain market-rate returns, while getting impact as well?” or “How much impact can we get while …
This panel will discuss the greatest revolution in business since the Industrial Revolution, shifting from focus on profit to purpose Panelists represent leading organizations in this new revolution including: MetroMile: Pay per mile car insurance empowering drivers by creating a more connected and informed car ownership experience. …
Energy has become increasingly tantamount with development. So much so that the implementation of thematic areas of the Millennium Development Goals can be made possible only with a coherent energy strategy. This session will introduce Solar Microgrid with smart metering models promoting embedded energy strategies within larger …
Contraception is recognized as one of the highest-leverage interventions to increase self-determination, improve maternal and child health, and lift families out of poverty. So why have most of the new contraceptives of the past two decades, even those developed with public money, been priced out of reach …
How do for-profit businesses with social mission organize themselves to compete in the future economy? What is the optimal legal structure (traditional corporation, LLC, benefit corporation)? What do larger impact investors such as foundations, family officers look for in investment opportunities? What metrics should for-profit social mission …
Extinction or Extension? Will existing corporate and INGO institutions be overtaken by start-ups and social enterprises, or can their business models be extended to include partnerships that benefit both the small enterprise and the institution? This session will explore perspectives of institutions and social enterprises, and what …
Tolerance is a muscle that gets strengthened as you practice it. And this practice starts at home, with your parents, siblings, friends, etc. We enjoy life more when we embark on a journey of tolerance: start by asking, then understanding, accepting and eventually appreciating, differing view points, …
Could you use some expert advice on a tough challenge or great opportunity for your organization? Get your questions answered by top-notch experts in one-on-one, 15 minute sessions. Experts may include accounting, advocacy, finance, fundraising, HR, law, leadership, marketing, PR, and social startups. Some of these folks …
Jennifer Kenning, Managing Director Speaking Topics • What do investors look for when investing in a Social Enterprise o Mission, team, due diligence, and terms - truly creating a win/win model o We must be sitting on the same side of the table willing to collaborate to …
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.
