Pilot Program to Train Two Dozen Social Entrepreneurs

Santa Clara University Launches "GSBI Online" in Collaboration with the World Bank Development Marketplace

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society has received funding from the World Bank Development Marketplace to expand its highly successful mentoring and training program for social entrepreneurs—the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI™)—to an entirely online format.

Developed in collaboration with the World Bank, the new program, called GSBI Online, will be piloted starting in May 2012 to a select group of social entrepreneurs running business-oriented organizations that aim to solve major social problems related to poverty, such as hunger or lack of power.

Up to 25 grantees, identified through the Development Marketplace and GSBI, will go through the initial pilot.

Based on the successful GSBI model, the GSBI Online pilot will match the entrepreneurs with mentors, and provide interactive training modules to help them build sustainable and scalable organizations. The new online delivery format will reach a greater number of entrepreneurs, including earlier stage ventures and those unable to travel.

Entrepreneurs will be able to work at their own pace over a maximum of eight months. During the nine-module program, participants will produce elevator pitches, business plan summary presentations, and investment profiles necessary to attract business and financial partners. They will be guided throughout by a Silicon Valley mentor and a local mentor, who volunteer their time to give feedback to the entrepreneurs about their ventures.

About the Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS)

The mission of the CSTS is to promote the use of science and technology to benefit underserved communities worldwide. The CSTS implements its mission through its signature program, the Global Social Benefit Incubator, its partnership with The Tech Museum in The Tech Awards program, Frugal Innovation, a focus on social capital, and numerous education and public engagement activities. Now in its tenth year, the GSBI has provided sophisticated capacity development opportunities to nearly 140 social entrepreneurs, affording us unique insights into leading business models and innovations for the developing world and emerging markets. More information can be found at www.scu.edu/socialbenefit. Those wishing to support the Center and the GSBI should contact Tomitha Blake at [e-mail].