A Case for Social Entrepreneurship in Our Times

Abstract

This chapter presents seven cases of social entrepreneurs, to illustrate the need for the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship in our increasingly intertwining global society. The seven cases are the following: (1) Kenton Lee’s Shoe that Grows in the US, inspired by children without shoes in Kenya, (2) Andy Moon’s Sunfarmer solar energy project, inspired by healthcare and farming energy problems in Nepal, (3) Jeremiah Kimbugwe’s sanitary napkin operation to enhance women’s participation in education and professional development in Uganda, (4) Luis Cruz’ Eyeboard system to assist physically disabled persons in Honduras, (5) William Kamkwamba’s construction of electricity resources to ensure energy in his village in Malawi, (6) Brittany Wenger’s artificial brain to timely help detect cancer in the US, and (7) Arpit Dhupar’s self-cleaning trap for particulate matter emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, to reduce pollution in India. Each of the cases will briefly be evaluated on the basis of three aspects to determine social entrepreneurship: (1) the predominance of a social mission, (2) the importance of innovation, and (3) the role of earned income.