Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation ─ International case studies and practice

Social innovators and social entrepreneurs look for creative and affordable solutions to specific societal problems. Fueled by the spread of the internet and the ubiquity of cell phones, it is easier than ever before to attempt to solve pressing social and environmental problems in the world. Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation presents the journeys of pioneering—and often accidental—social innovators who used their courage, tenacity, and creative thinking to find a solution to their problem. The case studies do not gloss over the setbacks and dead ends these people faced; instead, they offer a realistic insight into the challenges and mindset needed to overcome them. From bringing solar-powered lighting to Nigerian midwives, to using surplus food to reconnecting broken refugee families, each case draws out the lessons learned and provides guidance and advice for anyone inspired to take action of their own.

Ken Banks is the founder of kiwanja.net and the creator of FrontlineSMS, a text messaging platform that helps drive social change projects across the world. He has received a Stanford University Fellowship, been named both a National Geographic Explorer and a Laureate of the Tech Awards (an international awards program honoring innovators using technology to drive social change), and was nominated for a TED Prize in 2013. A frequent writer on Africa, technology, and innovation, he has been published online by CNN, the BBC, and the Guardian and the print edition of Wired Magazine.