Program to Explore Social Entrepreneurship as a Way to Make a Difference

MADISON, Wis. –Mission-driven work is most commonly associated with the non-profit realm. But increasingly, traditional ventures that include social impact as a central component of a for-profit business model may also be found on the front lines of global issues. Members of the public are invited to attend the second lecture in the fall Entrepreneurons series, “Doing Well While Doing Good.”

Kelsey Otero, the associate director of social innovation for Marquette University’s Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship, will speak on the growing trend of social entrepreneurship—what it is, and why it’s popular. Following the talk, Anne Smith of the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic will moderate a discussion with panel of local experts including Chandra Miller Fienen (StartingBlock Madison), Lauren Usher (gener8tor/gBETA), Nyra Jordan (American Family) & Aaron Olson (NovoMoto).

“More and more emerging and advanced professionals want to understand how to make a positive social impact through their work,” says Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation program director Laura Heisler. “We want to have a conversation about how an entrepreneurial mindset can help people do that in a number of ways—whether that be at an existing company, or through the formation of a startup.”

The event will take place on Monday, October 7 from 4pm to 6pm at the Discovery Building on the UW–Madison campus (330 N. Orchard St.). The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and UW–Madison’s Discovery to Product (D2P) are partnering to co-host four Entrepreneurons lectures this fall. The events are free and open to the community.

Entrepreneurons is a series focused on bringing the fundamentals of getting a new venture started to the UW–Madison community. These short programs bring together thought leaders from across the country and our own backyard to exchange perspectives on core topics ranging from identifying an opportunity to building a startup team to financing and beyond. Register at warf.org/entrepreneurons.