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University of Pennsylvania
Social Entrepreneurship
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University of Pennsylvania

Social Entrepreneurship

This course is part of Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization

James D. Thompson
Ian "Mac" MacMillan

Instructors: James D. Thompson

Instructors

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.7 (46 ratings)
James D. Thompson
James D. Thompson
University of Pennsylvania
1 Course•10,934 learners
Ian "Mac" MacMillan
Ian "Mac" MacMillan
University of Pennsylvania
1 Course•10,934 learners

10,934 already enrolled

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4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(400 reviews)

6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(400 reviews)

6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

Skills you'll gain

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Target Audience
  • Ideation
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Business Planning
  • New Product Development
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Needs Assessment
  • Financial Planning
  • Innovation
  • Business Operations
  • Customer Analysis
  • Research
  • Project Scoping

Details to know

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course

How do we create innovative and effective solutions to social problems around the world ? This course was designed for individuals and organizations who want to identify and bring about transformative societal change. Professors Jim Thompson and Ian “Mac” MacMillan help you develop both a strategy and a framework for your social enterprise based on their years of experience and expertise teaching social entrepreneurship and advising entrepreneurs. You’ll learn how to define a social problem, understand contextual realities, develop a solution, and plan for effective deployment. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of the realities of launching an enterprise, be prepared for every step of the process, and put your social entrepreneurial venture on the path to success.

In this module, you’ll learn how to define a social enterprise and develop its basic framework. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the critical importance of research to identify patterns, cause, and context. You’ll master the process of Idea Generation and analyze the successes and failures of others to be better able to attract funding for your social enterprise. You’ll also learn how to examine factors and contexts through Segmentation, and differentiate between Transactional Accessibility and Acceptability. By the end of this module, you’ll have a more clearly defined understanding of the problem your organization wants to tackle and how to fund your project.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

4 videos•Total 47 minutes
  • Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship•7 minutes
  • Describing the Social Problem•7 minutes
  • Idea Generation and Advisory Board•17 minutes
  • Segmentation for Social Enterprises: Part 1•15 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Social Entrepreneur's Playbook•10 minutes
  • Module 1 - Lecture Slides•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes

This module was designed to promote a deep understanding of your beneficiaries through segmentation in order to design solutions to the Social Problem of your enterprise. After identifying and segmenting major factors and contexts of your population, you’ll draft a Segment Attractiveness Scoring Table that will enable you to analyze the beneficiaries of your solution, and then use the Beneficiary Experience Table to refine that solution. Finally, you’ll learn how to differentiate between Screen-In and Screen-Out Criteria to identify potential problems. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create a Concept Map for your own social enterprise, and visualize the trajectory and potential outcomes of your solution.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

4 videos•Total 39 minutes
  • Segmentation for Social Enterprises: Part 2•12 minutes
  • Understanding the Beneficiary•13 minutes
  • Screen-In & Screen-Out Criteria•7 minutes
  • Describing the Solution•6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Module 2 - Lecture Slides•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes

In this module, you’ll examine the details and operational realities of your social enterprise. You’ll identify deliverables, needs of beneficiaries, and expected costs. You’ll explore key concepts such as Unit of Business, Social Impact and Financial Goals, and the Deliverables and Cost Table to assist in operationalizing the venture. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to better assess how success will be defined in your venture and the key deliverables and capabilities required to maintain your social enterprise.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

4 videos•Total 47 minutes
  • Defining Performance Criteria•11 minutes
  • Framing and Scoping the Venture•17 minutes
  • Operations Realities•8 minutes
  • Cost Table•9 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Module 3 - Lecture Slides•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Module 3 Quiz•30 minutes

This module was designed to help you test the feasibility of your social enterprise. By utilizing the Most Competitive Alternatives in organizing a Proposed Beneficiary Experience Table, you’ll be able to assess advantages and disadvantages against relevant competition. Once you have a plausible and attractive proposition, you’ll deploy a quick and cost-effective test-of-concept to scaffold future success for your venture. Finally, you’ll discover the inevitable socio-politics that emerge with multiple stakeholders, and learn how to navigate these issues effectively while maintaining support. By the end of this module, you’ll have developed a powerful strategy that will ensure success for your social entrepreneurial ventures.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

4 videos•Total 46 minutes
  • Most Competitive Alternative (MCA) Analysis•11 minutes
  • Test of Concept Plausibility•12 minutes
  • Stakeholder Analysis•17 minutes
  • Conclusion & Next Steps•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
  • Module 4 - Lecture Slides•10 minutes
  • Survey for those who have completed the Specialization•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.7 (46 ratings)
James D. Thompson
James D. Thompson
University of Pennsylvania
1 Course•10,934 learners

Instructors

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.7 (46 ratings)
James D. Thompson
James D. Thompson
University of Pennsylvania
1 Course•10,934 learners
Ian "Mac" MacMillan
Ian "Mac" MacMillan
University of Pennsylvania
1 Course•10,934 learners

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.

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Learner reviews

4.7

400 reviews

  • 5 stars

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A
AG
5

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2018

Great material, could be a little more challenging with the quizzes.

D
DD
5

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2018

A class that introduces solid theoretical and practical tools to prepare for a social venture. Would recommend without a doubt.

R
RR
5

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2020

Very informative course for social entrepreneurship. Thank you

View more reviews
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