The most transformative businesses of the twenty-first century are increasingly measured not only by their financial performance but also by the positive impact they create for society. Social entrepreneurs recognize that many of the world’s greatest challenges—poverty, education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, inequality, and community development—can be addressed through innovative, financially sustainable business solutions. Purpose-driven ventures combine entrepreneurial thinking with mission-driven leadership to create organizations that generate both economic value and meaningful social impact.
Social Entrepreneurship & Purpose-Driven Ventures is a practical, executive-oriented course designed to prepare Junior MBA students to build organizations that solve real societal problems while achieving long-term financial sustainability. Rather than treating social responsibility as an afterthought or charitable activity, the course positions purpose as a strategic driver of innovation, competitive advantage, customer loyalty, employee engagement, and organizational resilience.
Students will explore social innovation, impact business models, mission-driven leadership, stakeholder capitalism, sustainable finance, impact measurement, ethical decision-making, social marketing, partnerships, scaling social enterprises, technology for impact, and legacy building. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on practical business application and executive leadership, enabling future entrepreneurs to create ventures that improve lives while building enduring enterprises.
Course Objectives
By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
• Understand the principles and strategic value of social entrepreneurship.
• Identify opportunities to solve societal challenges through sustainable business models.
• Design purpose-driven ventures that balance mission and profitability.
• Apply human-centered innovation to social and economic challenges.
• Develop stakeholder-oriented leadership strategies.
• Understand impact measurement and performance evaluation for social enterprises.
• Build financially sustainable organizations that generate measurable social value.
• Integrate ethical leadership into entrepreneurial decision-making.
• Develop scalable solutions capable of expanding social impact.
• Lead organizations that create lasting economic, environmental, and community value.
