Social Enterprise Hub
Let us help you create a sustainable business, so you can create lasting community impact.
Is doing good in your community at the top of your priority list? You'll find all the help you need to grow your business – so you can grow your social impact – at ECDI.
ECDI's Social Enterprise Hub gives you access to industry-specific networking, training, mentorship, and more. It also gives you access to our robust small business support infrastructure, built through nearly two decades of work with diverse entrepreneurs, so you can shore up business basics, get help aligning your social mission with your business model, access loan capital if needed, and build a strong, sustainable organization.
Make sure you're in the best position to create lasting, positive impact by setting your business up for long-term success. Learn more:
About ECDI's Social Enterprise Hub
Is my company a social enterprise?
How is a SE different than other businesses?
ECDI's Social Enterprise Hub offerings
Program Description
About ECDI's Social Enterprise Hub
ECDI's Social Enterprise Hub supports small businesses and organizations that are committed to doing good in their communities. We help you with the fundamentals every business needs to be successful, while infusing social enterprise (SE)-specific training and connections to meet your mission-driven needs.
No matter what stage of business development you're in, you'll benefit from the opportunity to test, scale, or grow your concept within our SE program options.
We proudly support change makers in Ohio (and some contiguous KY and IN counties), from diverse backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, or other.
What is a social enterprise?
A SE is an organization – either for-profit or nonprofit – that is committed to a social mission, while also following the market-driven approach and financial principles needed to run a sustainable business.
Unsure if your small business is a social enterprise? Take a short quiz to find out.
How is running a social enterprise different than a regular business?
SE entrepreneurs need to adhere to basic business principles, while also taking into account the requirements of meeting their social mission. Your mission may affect aspects of your business including your financial model, HR needs, marketing, or other. ECDI's SE team will be helpful to you in identifying these areas and helping you accommodate them in your business plan.
ECDI's Social Enterprise Hub Program Offerings
SE program offerings are designed to provide the resources, expertise, and training you need at any stage in the social enterprise business lifecycle. ECDI delivers real-world, practical business assistance to help you create a sustainable organization, so you can get to work doing good in your community.
Membership programs:
Social Starters: $10 monthly membership fee
For entrepreneurs who are in business planning stage or are exploring adding a social mission to their business model
Members benefit from:
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ECDI Business Incubation and Innovation Center membership, for general business training and support including online and group classes, workshops, access to experts, and more (learn more)
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Business plan assistance, focusing on social mission incorporation
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Drop-in hours with SE expert
Program outcomes:
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Develop your business plan
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Determine your social give-back potential
SE Ecosystem Participant: $20 monthly membership fee
For entrepreneurs who have an established social mission, a viable business plan, and are preparing to launch or have recently launched their business
Members benefit from:
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ECDI Business Incubation and Innovation Center membership, for general business training and support, including online and group classes, workshops, access to experts, and more (learn more)
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Daily access to wi-fi, computer lab, and other business needs
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Drop-in hours with SE expert
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Specialized SE group trainings
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Downloadable SE tool kit
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SE Central Ohio community ecosystem introduction
Program outcomes
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Incorporate your business and file your paperwork
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Gain business/financial literacy
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Learn about Central Ohio SE resources
Social Enterprise Accelerator: $40 monthly membership fee
18- to 24-month program for entrepreneurs who have completed training or demonstrated financial literacy and manage an established SE business or organization with at least two years of financial records and one to three employees
Members benefit from:
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Access to co-working space, meeting rooms, wi-fi, computer lab, and other business spaces for entrepreneurs and employees
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One-on-one mentorship with SE expert
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Drop-in hours with consultants in fields such as legal, accounting, and HR
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Access to business loans
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Contract procurement opportunities
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ECDI Business Incubation and Innovation Center membership, for ongoing access to general business training and support, drop-in advising hours, and SE group trainings
Program outcomes:
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Ability to prove your concept, launch or scale your business in a controlled-cost environment
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Build a network of business resources and social enterprise peers
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Small business loan application preparation
Social Enterprise Business Loans
If raising venture capital is not feasible for you or your business, and you've struggled to access traditional loan capital, ECDI is here to help. Since 2004, we've helped thousands of under-banked entrepreneurs access affordable funding.
If you have a feasible business plan, showing the ability to pay back a business loan, you are able to apply for responsible, low-barrier loan funding through ECDI. Learn more about ECDI small business loans and requirements.
Need help fine-tuning your plan, or turning your idea into a viable business model? ECDI advisers are here to help.
Any entrepreneur can meet with an ECDI adviser to vet their business plan and can attend no-cost virtual workshops and group trainings.
Social Enterprise Hub members can gain a leg up with access to a range of SE-specific training and resources, including one-on-one assistance developing your business plan and applying for funding.
Social Enterprise Hub Benefits
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General business and social enterprise-specific training
Hub members have access to training on business basics all entrepreneurs need to succeed, as well as SE-specific help refining your business plan to meet your impact goals.
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Access to loan funding
If options such as traditional lending and venture capital aren't a good fit for you, we can help. If you have a viable business plan, and just need funding to make it happen, ECDI gives you access to low-barrier, affordable loan capital.
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Professional connections
In addition to ECDI's network of professionals and trainers, we help you find meaningful connections within Central Ohio's SE ecosystem.
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Use of shared business facilities
Keep your overhead low and position yourself in close proximity to business pros and SE peers. For everyday business needs, ECDI gives you access to co-working and office space, meeting rooms, wireless internet, and a business center with printing, laptops, and more. For more specialized needs, we provide access to a commercial kitchen, photo studio, and other physical resources. Please note: access to facilities may be limited per most-current pandemic status and safety recommendations.
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Help with certifications
If applicable, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and other certifications will open your business up to procurement opportunities and other benefits. ECDI can help you attain relevant certifications.
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Ongoing professional assistance
Take advantage of continued technical assistance, business training and mentor matching.
ECDI's Central Ohio ecosystem partners
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Social Ventures
Supporting, advocating for and helping fund businesses advancing solutions to problems in our community. Visit
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Seachange
Providing training to help social entrepreneurs develop sustainability, determine their meaningful social impact, and access the tools they need to successfully launch their business. Visit
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Giveback Hack
Holding events that bring together passionate community members to help them develop sustainable solutions to our most pressing social issues. Visit
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Urban Accelerator / The U
Urban entrepreneur support organization, serving small and main street businesses and highlighting those run by people of color by offering culturally competent resources, education and engagement. Visit
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IFF
Providing loans, consulting, and development support to mission-driven nonprofits to help communities thrive. Visit
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Business for Good
Student organization at The Ohio State University exploring how social impact can be at the core of any business, focused on building awareness of social entrepreneurship and fostering connections between our members and the social impact community in Columbus. Visit