MIT Solve + Purpose’s Expert Sessions (Videos)

For-Purpose Entrepreneurship: Solve Innovation Future Webinar & Podcast Series

October 1, 2020 to January 28, 2021

For-Purpose Entrepreneurship is a webinar and podcast series exploring business models for social enterprises. Each session will focus on a specific topic: what is purpose-driven leadership, and how does it impact company culture and design, leading and sustaining purpose driven entities, governance and legal structures, and fundraising and financing? We will partner with entrepreneurs and thought leaders to consider case studies and actionable structures, and make recommendations for additional opportunities.

Finding and securing financing is one of the most critical and important decisions an entrepreneur can make. While always challenging, the path to effective fundraising has been generalized to mean successfully raising equity investment. New research is encouraging entrepreneurs to consider other funding and financing structures. Join a conversation with Zoe Schlag, former MD of TechStars Impact and Entrepreneur in Residence at Schmidt Futures, and Derek Razo, Partner at Purpose Economy, to discuss what “alternative” fundraising options are available, how entrepreneurs can plan for a long-term capital strategy that provides an exit on their terms, and how to raise growth capital without sacrificing mission, vision, values, and control.

This series will be hosted by Casey van der Stricht, Principal, Solve Innovation Future and Narges Baniasadi, Bina co-founder, Solve Innovation Future Leadership Circle member, and health tech investor. Solve Innovation Future is a groundbreaking philanthropic venture fund that directs catalytic investments in early-stage social entrepreneurs solving the world's most pressing problems. Organized as a donor-advised fund (DAF) with MIT Solve serving as the donor-advisor, it will raise $30 million over time from philanthropic donors through tax-deductible gifts to MIT.