In the IMPACT-UP Knowledge Coalition for Brabant impact entrepreneurs project, we work together with Breda University of Applied Sciences, Tilburg University, Has green academy and Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Together, we connect research capacity and develop knowledge to strengthen a sustainable and social economy in the region.
We believe that entrepreneurs play an important role in tackling societal challenges while promoting healthy economic development that is good for people and the planet. By working with impactful entrepreneurs to build knowledge and capabilities, we increase positive impact and create a sustainable future for the region.
The HO Knowledge Pact has expressed the ambition that North Brabant wants to be among Europe’s top regional innovation leaders now and in the future. To achieve this, parties in the region are investing in research facilities and programmes, strengthening cooperation and developing knowledge for and with ecosystems focused on societal transitions. They also invest in businesses and entrepreneurship with a positive social impact, such as enterprising citizens, cooperatives, startups, scale-ups and other growing companies.
Impactful business
Impact entrepreneurs do business out of an idealism to make the world a better place. They take action to realise positive social impact. They look for sustainable applications and solutions to major social issues. That positive impact is their higher goal and comes first. They do not see the profit they make as the goal, but as a means to achieve that positive impact. In their way of doing business, they are social, honest and transparent towards all stakeholders.
Knowledge development
In the IMPACT-UP ecosystem, we are working on 4 meaningful projects:
Brabant Impact Class – Who are the impact entrepreneurs in Brabant and what are they up against? In this project, we picture as many businesses as possible that contribute to impact. We ask them about the opportunities they see and the obstacles they experience. We link their questions to students and teachers. They, in turn, support these entrepreneurs in all kinds of courses and projects – and that in turn contributes to our understanding of impact entrepreneurship.
Case Based Learning – We showcase appealing examples of Brabant impact entrepreneurs in education. Cases are developed from these examples by our alumni, which are then given a place in various educational programmes. In this way, we increase the entrepreneurial drive among students and possibly also the number of student entrepreneurs.
Business model development with impact – Which companies in North Brabant are successful in creating impact? What are they doing and what can others learn from them? And what obstacles do they face? This project makes success and failure factors insightful and shareable.
Money with Impact – Start-ups and growing impact entrepreneurs and investors with ESG motivations do not seem to find each other well. This project focuses on exploring the financial side of the ecosystem. How do investments by private and public parties in startups, scale-ups and social enterprises encourage entrepreneurship with social impact and broad prosperity?ups and social enterprises encourage entrepreneurship with social impact and broad prosperity?
Are you an entrepreneur and committed to positive social impact? Get in touch via the website of IMPACT-UP