Tom's blog

Rick Aubry, former CEO of Rubicon Programs, has re-launched Rubicon National Social Innovations as New Foundry Ventures. Rick is working with a Berkeley, Calif.-based green energy social enterprise, Rising Sun Energy Center, to develop a model for a nationally-replicable weatherization social franchise. Here's the news from the New Foundry Ventures site:

"Over the past 16 months, New Foundry Ventures has researched potential cities and climates that are optimal for operating our Energy Efficiency Enterprise. We have created a full business and operations plan and formed a partnership with Rising Sun Energy Center, a Berkeley based nonprofit with 15+ years providing green jobs training.

The Social Enterprise Alliance's 10th Annual Summit just ended in San Francisco this week. The Summit had over 700 attendees, almost twice the number of attendees at the 9th, and attendees came from over 31 countries.

I've been attending the SEA Summits since 2004, the last time the Summit was in SF. I was impressed to see many new faces in the audience as well as on stage--most notably Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor in the Office of Disability and Employment Policy. I'll be writing more about Kathy's presentation in upcoming posts.

I've been reflecting lately on why I started the Social Enterprise Reporter over 6 years ago. At the time I was inspired by entrepreneurs who were using innovative business approaches to solving social problems. I had hoped to bring some of these business solutions to social entrepreneurs, as well as to encourage business entrepreneurs to "look beyond the bottom line".

The Social Enterprise Summit convenes April 28-30 in San Francisco. Online registration closes April 16. Go to http://www.se-alliance.org/summit_10sessions.cfm for information on the sessions and pre-conference workshops.

Program Discussion Tracks include:
Investment & Finance
Models & Strategies
Policy & Advocacy
Leadership Development & Education
Communications & Storytelling

Learn what's happening globally and how you can apply social enterprise models locally!

I launched the Social Enterprise Reporter soon afterward the 2004 Social Enterprise Gathering in SF.

You know social enterprise has gained currency and prominence when it makes news in the Small Business section of the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/business/smallbusiness/29sbiz.html

This is a great article that shows how nonprofits are developing green social enterprises, including SmartRoofs LLC, developed by the Bronx, NY-based nonprofit group Sustainable South Bronx, and the Chicago-based Growing Home. Both have been featured in SER--you read it here first!

The 2009 Social Capital Markets conference (SoCap09) was a watershed event. There was a clear sense that social enterprise has become a viable business strategy and investment option.

The event brought together many of the familiar faces from social enterprise summits past, but also a new group of leaders from traditional industries such as investment banking, government, real estate and forest products.

Two podcasts from the SEReporter archive, featuring two leaders in green jobs, Majora Carter from Sustainable South Bronx, and Eric Weinheimer from the Cara Program in Chicago, are now online!

To listen to Eric Weinheimer, click here.
http://thecaraprogram.org

To listen to Majora Carter, click here.
http://ssbx.org

Access Volume 3 of the Social Enterprise Reporter PDF back issue archive here.

SER 301 features a cover story on "Building Social Enterprise on the California Coast" by Tom White, and a Q&A with Michael Shuman: "Integrating Social Enterprise with Local Economic Development".

Access Volume 2 of the Social Enterprise Reporter PDF back issue archive here:

SER 201 SER goes to British Columbia for the cover story "Vancity Credit Union: Taking a Risk on Entrepreneurs Who Make a Difference" by Tom White, and Part 2 of Jerr Boschee's Strategic Marketing Matrix for Social Entrepreneurs®--Segmentation Strategies.

SER 202 features a cover story on "Raising Capital: Regulatory Issues", by Allen Bromberger, Esq., and Part 3 of Jerr Boschee's Strategic Marketing Matrix for Social Entrepreneurs®--Expand, Nurture, Harvest or Kill?.

Access Volume 1 of the Social Enterprise Reporter PDF back issue archive here:

SER 101 including the first of a three part series by Cheryl Dahle on REDF portfolio ventures, "Balancing Act: The Right Size Scoop of Ice Cream".

SER 102 including the second of a three part series by Cheryl Dahle on REDF portfolio ventures. Community Vocational Enterprises (CVE) and Community Gatepath, are highlighted in "Integrating Cultures: When Business and Social Outcomes Are Valued."

SER 103 including the third of a three part series by Cheryl Dahle on REDF portfolio ventures, "Making Tough Choices: When to Start A Business and When to Shut Down."