BUILD Social Impact trains, develops, and coaches social entrepreneurs in Detroit’s small business community. By empowering local entrepreneurs to effect real change in their communities, BUILD Social Impact helps bolster the growing social entrepreneurship movement in Detroit. The class follows an 8-week timeline and offers a curriculum with a strong focus on double and triple bottom line business practices. Graduating from BUILD Social Impact qualifies entrepreneurs to apply for exclusive BUILD Alumni funding options.
What is social entrepreneurship?
Social entrepreneurship is any pursuit of a social mission using commercial means.
Who should take this program?
This program is for innovative individuals who are seeking to start a for-profit company to address Detroit’s social and/or environmental issues, or nonprofit organizations seeking to advance and support their missions using a commercial business model to complement their philanthropic operations.
What’s the difference between BUILD Basics and BUILD Social Impact?
BUILD Basics takes you through the basics of writing a business plan. BUILD Social Impact utilizes the foundations of the business planning curriculum of BUILD Basics with tailored content for businesses using a for profit business model to achieve a social mission. While BUILD primarily serves for-profit businesses, non-profit founders looking to diversify revenue streams may find value in this class as well.
How to Graduate from BUILD Social Impact
1. Submit your completed business plan for your social enterprise – you’ll work on this throughout the class with the help of your facilitator.
2. Present your social enterprise pitch at graduation – show what you learned and practice your pitch skills.
3. Attend class – if you must miss a class session, make up any missed work by meeting with the facilitator 1:1.
Why BUILD Social Impact?
We strive to provide a nurturing environment for Builders both during and after they graduate from our classes. From ongoing educational workshops to alumni networking events, and funding, we know that learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. After completing your BUILD Social Impact cohort, you will be welcomed into the BUILD Alumni family of over 2,600! As an alum, you’ll gain access to our exclusive Alumni Networking events and the opportunity to be featured in BUILD’s newsletter and social media posts. Graduating from BUILD Social Impact qualifies entrepreneurs to apply for exclusive BUILD Alumni funding options. Plus, we’re always looking for more ways to support our amazing alumni – stay up to date with current opportunities on our Instagram @StartWithBuild(goes to new website)(opens in a new tab)