UBS is launching its Social Innovators programme, attempting to support high-potential social enterprises that deliver innovative solutions. The selected candidates will receive a $40,000 grant and join a year-long accelerator programme that will guide them through growth and scale their operations to create greater social impact. The winners will also include access to UBS’s network and knowledge base, global exposure and expert coaching. UBS Social Innovators is being launched with support from Ashoka, the global network of social entrepreneurs.

UBS Social Innovators is an initiative of UBS and Society, the cross-divisional platform covering all of UBS’s activities in sustainable investing and philanthropy, environmental and social policies, including supply chain management, and community investment. UBS Social Innovators will build on UBS’s existing support for social entrepreneurs delivered through its programmes in Community Affairs, Philanthropy and the Optimus Foundation.

Eligible social enterprises can be working in any field and tackling a social or environmental issue at any scale, but they must be operating beyond the proof of concept stage. Up to 12 shortlisted social enterprises in each participating region will be invited to a two-day regional boot camp, during which they will pitch for a spot in a regional final. One social enterprise from each region will earn the title of UBS Social Innovator.

Caroline Anstey Global Head UBS and Society noted that there is a common interest in social investment and financial investment: “At UBS, we believe our clients can do well by doing good – that social investments can be profitable investments. But there is a gap: many social enterprises have difficulty growing large enough to become truly investable. We hope to identify innovative social enterprises that are at that difficult point and help them to scale.”

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