What are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s motivations in restructuring his tech firm into a public benefit corporation? Amendments to the law in the US state of Delaware might give a clue on whether Altman is looking for social impact or profit maximisation.
The Scottish government is aiming for full-scale economic systems change and expects social enterprise to be at the forefront of its new economic model, according to discussions at the Social Enterprise Scotland Summit 2024.
Venture capital funding towards impact startups continues a sharp downward trend as VC investors lose appetite for climate tech, the latest Dealroom figures reveal.
Running a venture that helps both people and planet is hard. Amid inflation, instability and even war, it sounds almost impossible. But, for the pioneers of green business in Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt, sticking to the mission makes sense.
Nick Hurd, Ronald Cohen and Elizabeth Corley are joined by Douglas L Peterson of S&P Global in new Impact Taskforce which aims to emulate “rocket booster” effect of UK’s last G7 presidency on impact investment worldwide.
From inspired educators to revolutionary advertisers, from football clubs to community cafés, from 'positive pants' to food that fights loneliness – the NatWest SE100 top 100 again celebrates UK social enterprises in all their wonderful diversity.
The House of Lords has been exploring how public services can be bolder in ‘levelling up’ communities around the UK. Three experts told the Lords Public Sector Services Committee why 15% 'added value' isn't good enough.
A 10% weighting for social value in selecting government contracts – potentially rising to 20% – plus new requirement to pay a living wage welcomed as “major step forward” as Northern Ireland plays catch-up with rest of UK.
PLUS: ABN AMRO’s sustainable impact fund; UK’s £30m social investment pilot for housing; investor coalition supports ‘just transition’; NESsT gets grant to support impact enterprises in the Amazon region, and more.
The ambitious Great Green Wall project could have a huge impact – if, that is, it can be driven not just from the corridors of power but also by local citizens. In the Gambia, that’s starting to happen. But the clock is ticking.
New report by Co-operatives UK shows more people have embraced co-operative ownership of their local pub, while the number of co-ops generally continues to grow despite the crisis.
A move to require all EU companies to consider stakeholder interests would fit within the broader European sustainability agenda, but it faces resistance as “traditional industries” lobby the European Commission.
Do investors care about impact? Often, no: they're more focused on the warm fuzzy feeling of 'doing good'. But some are accepting moderate returns for more impact, and they're crucial to the growth of early-stage social enterprise.
