stakeholders within the social entrepreneurship ecosystem across participating countries. This platform aims to provide valuable resources, including tools and a relevant bibliography of works to disseminate inspirational cases and to connect entrepreneurs with institutions in the ecosystem offering guidance and support. The project was also overseen by the Impulsum office, which received support through the provision of dedicated laboratory equipment. Furthermore, it led to the establishment of a specialised research line within the business school. The active involvement of staff members, alumni and professors further enriched the project, contributing to its implementation and success. Knowledge co-creation in progress Since the last curricular reform at Espae in 2019, all programmes have been designed to equip students to make informed decisions on how organisations can contribute to sustainable development through entrepreneurship. While this was a significant step, it was also recognised as imperative for further reinforcement. Through Impulsum’s involvement, students receive specialised training and support for the development of purpose-driven ventures. This unique initiative offers comprehensive insights into managing tangible impact, which is an indispensable aspect of executing a social enterprise successfully. Moreover, students can learn how to transform an established organisation into an impactful entity aimed at a triple bottom line. Impulsum’s intervention has become an essential resource in aligning educational objectives with the evolving landscape of sustainable business practices. Finally, as part of the Elanet project, Espae has collected more than 100 cases of social ventures, used to teach design thinking and entrepreneurship across its programmes. Thanks to SEfficiency and Elanet, Espae has established a dedicated research line in social entrepreneurship studies. Some studies, conducted using data collected from the Elanet project, have uncovered significant insights. Social entrepreneurs expressed a need for different types of support from universities, extending beyond conventional teaching and training. Notably, the need for accessing information on securing funding became a critical requirement, particularly given the challenges associated with sourcing funds for social entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, findings indicated that support related to technology, infrastructure and networking were also highly valued. Networking support, in particular, proved instrumental in connecting social entrepreneurs with potential investors, partners and essential resources. These research outcomes not only contribute valuable insights, but also lay the groundwork for further exploration into how universities can effectively support social entrepreneurs. Beyond the Elanet project, the research line at Espae continues to expand. Connected to society & the business ecosystem An inclusive network is crucial for a business school, as it enables opportunities to collaborate on projects that directly impact the community, fostering a sense of responsibility and reciprocity. This interaction serves as a guiding principle, shaping the direction of
hurdles requires a concerted effort from diverse stakeholders within the public and private sector, as well as academia. The synergy between these three is paramount for the advancement of social entrepreneurship. Universities, with their multifaceted contributions, stand as key facilitators in this collaborative effort. They can serve as hubs where social entrepreneurs, university staff and students – as well as external stakeholders such as representatives of public institutions and private companies – can come together, share insights and address the challenges faced by social entrepreneurs. However, the vision of triple impact, encompassing social, environmental and financial dimensions, extends beyond the realm of social ventures. In the modern business landscape, sustainability is not merely an optional commitment; it is a fundamental necessity for any venture or company aspiring to establish a long-lasting presence. For instance, consumers today are increasingly conscious of the social and environmental footprint of products and services and are more likely to choose to support businesses that align with sustainable practices. While integrating sustainability into business models can generate a competitive advantage by enhancing market positioning and fostering customer loyalty, sustainable practices can also lead to more efficient resource use and cost savings in the long run. It is precisely in order to serve the type of ventures that align with this vision that Impulsum was established. Its mission is to support and guide entrepreneurs in incorporating sustainability into their core, acknowledging the evolving dynamics of the business sector and the imperative of triple impact for enduring success. Committing to change In 2018, VUB in Belgium invited Espae to be part of an international initiative providing support to social entrepreneurs. The collaboration resulted in Espae’s involvement in two pivotal projects. The first one was SEfficiency, co-funded by the Flemish Interuniversity Council and the European Latin American Network in Support of Social Entrepreneurs (Elanet), co-funded by the European Union. Within the project, Espae’s primary commitment was the establishment of a dedicated centre in support of local social entrepreneurs. This envisioned space would serve as a hub for training programmes, networking activities and engaging talks. The objective was to create an environment that fostered a social and environmental entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as giving broad visibility of relevant initiatives. This vision materialised in the creation of the Impulsum office, designed not only to serve Espae’s internal community, but also to extend support to external social entrepreneurs, who currently constitute the majority of cases. The Elanet project aimed to explore the needs of social entrepreneurs and assess the capacities of universities to support them. This featured the participation of several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, alongside European counterparts such as Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria and Italy. Espae played a pivotal role, leading the research package. One of the project’s significant components involved the creation of a technological platform accessible to diverse
28 | Ambition | MARCH/APRIL 2024
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