Unreasonable’s CEO Teju Ravilochan Named Forbes 30 Under 30: Social Entrepreneurs

Unreasonable Institute’s CEO and Co-Founder was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30: Social Entrepreneurs last week. Unreasonable is our partner on our Business Model Generation and Pitching labs. Congratulations, Teju Ravilochan! Here’s his featured honoree video you can watch on Forbes to learn more about Unreasonable and Teju! Also watch Teju’s TEDx talk:

 

Meet our Partners: Medora Ventures

We recently finished prototyping for our Business Model Generation Part 2: Financial Forecasts lab so wanted to introduce you to our partner. Medora Ventures is a strategy consulting firm for purpose driven ventures. It was founded on the belief that the most valuable investments produce a return not only for shareholders but also for the local community, for society overall, and ultimately for generations to come. They apply proven approaches to develop impact strategies that minimize resource use, mitigate risks, and ensure lasting gains. They help clients measure and message their impact in the world, which sets them apart from competitors and builds customer loyalty. They also help unlock opportunities for growth by creating outreach strategies and developing connections into new markets and sectors. Continue reading to learn more about the lab.

Once the Business Model Canvas tool has been has been created, this lab teaches participants to create a financial model and financial forecast. they will learn the basics of building a simple financial model and forecast while studying archetype case studies of common financial models relevant to CARE’s work including rural sales and distribution, trading platforms, social enterprises, and consulting. Previously, when CARE has sought to spin off a social enterprise or create a consulting practice, we hired consultants to create financial forecasts. The problem is, those models end up being too complex and staff do not have the skills to actively use the tools. Furthermore, the complex models are not appropriate for early stage ventures that are still evolving their business models. Instead, staff shepherding the ventures need the skills to use the forecasting tools and actively adapt the model as the model evolves.

 

Meet Our Partners: Amani Institute

We’re pleased to introduce Amani Institute, whose mission it is to “develop professionals who create social impact!” We are partnering with Amani to implement the upcoming Intrapreneurship Training session at the Scale X Design Accelerator Boot camp in Atlanta next month. This training will give our teams the skills to act like an entrepreneur and to fully integrate the innovative approaches they’re learning in the Accelerator into every aspect of their work at CARE.

Here’s how Amani Institute describes intrapreneurship: “We believe that there is a critical role for people who prefer to work inside an organization to make an impact – what is now being called an “intrapreneur.” Not everyone needs to launch a new company. Just as important as entrepreneurs are the leaders and managers who help the organization grow and fulfill its potential to solve social problems and improve the world.”

Amani Institue has worked with a wide range of NGOs, social enterprises, private companies and foundations to increase their capacity for social innovation. “Social innovation is a mindset and a process that can be taught, learned and reinforced with practice… [Organizations should] ensure they are building their staff’s innovation capability by offering access to training.”1 This encapsulates the Amani Institute’s work and we are thrilled to have them on board for what is stacking up to be an amazing week of intensive learning! Learn more about Amani Institute’s work here.

1 https://www.bond.org.uk/resources/an-introduction-to-social-innovation-for-ngos

 

Meet our Partners: Erin Mazursky of Rhize

We’re partnering with Rhize for our elective lab on movement building. Rhize coaches movements, trains organizations and connects everone to a global ecosystem of movement support. There are proven strategies and approaches for nonviolent civil resistance that fall under three core principles: (1) a strategic movement-building lens that allows leaders to think beyond any one victory, (2) an ethic of community-building and (3) an ability to effectively and strategically activate constituents using both grassroots and digital platforms. Yet impassioned activists rarely have access to these strategies, too often reinventing the wheel and repeating past mistakes. Rhize works with movements to build on their strengths and integrate these elements with the goal of creating sustained, strategic and impactful action that changes the status quo. Explore their website to learn more!

Learn more about Rhize by watching this short video from their Co-founder and President Erin Mazursky:

Unreasonable Says “Forget Pitching. Tell a Story. Here’s How!”

The Unreasonable Institute’s CEO Teju Ravilochan facilitated the Scale X Design Accelerator‘s final core lab on pitching last week. This article was one of the pre-reads for the teams before the session. The teams will work on their pitch over the next few months to prepare for the Scale X Design Challenge, a first-of-its-kind event in January in New York City!

Forget Pitching. Tell A Story. Here’s How!

Meet our Partners: Porter Novelli

PNCARE is partnering with Porter Novelli based in New York, New York in a multi-year initiative as the agency’s cause partner. The announcement was made in May at CARE’s 2016 annual national conference. Porter Novelli is a global public relations leader that offers communications and technology solutions to their clients though their extensive network of offices and staff.

The partnership came about from an interest in Porter Novelli’s staff in supporting the health, education and safety of women and children across the world.

“We are thrilled to partner with Porter Novelli as we celebrate our 70th year of fighting poverty across the globe,” said Michelle Nunn, CARE president and CEO. “We see a great intersection with CARE’s mission and Porter Novelli’s history of change-making – together we will do great things!” Initially Porter Novelli will provide mentorship to CARE with a focus on developing a brand narrative and a global behavior change campaign.

For the Accelerator, Porter Novelli will specifically provide communications mentorships to the teams. We’re excited and appreciative to have Porter Novelli as one of our partners!