Details
Year: 2026
Published in: World Economic Forum
Cited as: World Economic Forum (2026). Why Social Enterprises Need a Different Approach to Capital and Growth. Geneva: World Economic Forum, Centre for the New Economy and Society
Subject
Why Social Enterprises Need a Different Approach to Capital and Growth
Abstract
Written by social enterprise founders in healthcare, this piece argues that conventional venture-capital timelines (fast growth, quick exits) are poorly suited to mission-driven businesses in sectors like healthcare, education and agriculture, where trust and infrastructure take years to build. It highlights emerging alternatives – blended finance, impact-linked loans whose interest rates fall as social targets are met, and ‘impact credits’ that convert verified outcomes into financial value.
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Social Entrepreneurs