Made in Bangalore: How social enterprise is transforming business-as-usual

Abstract

Social enterprise has emerged as an innovative and creative alternative model for providing solutions to the continuing problems of poverty, along with inadequate social services, such as health and education. This study seeks to understand the potential of social enterprise in contributing to development, so that it can be leveraged to maximum effect. This research project, conducted between October 2010 and March 2011, focused upon the current leaders, sculptors and thinkers of the social enterprise landscape of Bangalore, a hub for creative enterprise grappling with rapid urbanisation and its associated opportunities and issues. The enterprises considered are promoting poverty reduction and sustainability through a 'fruit salad' of approaches and models. We look at how they achieve success, how they determine a workable business model, what impact their enterprises have, and what has helped or hindered them along the way