–
–
Tips for launching your impact business. Credit: iStock.
–
Building your impact business can quickly turn out to be a crossroads. You have decided to launch yourself to bring your stone to the building, to change things. But to be sure of the success of your project, it is necessary to have in mind the different stages of creation of such a structure in order to be able to anticipate them well. Carenews has some tips for building your impact business.
What is an impact business?
An impact business is different from a traditional business by its purpose, which is not only economic. It also pursues social or environmental objectives. In other words, it seeks to have a positive impact on society or the environment through its activity. A company can therefore seek to reduce waste, improve the professional integration of certain populations or even the diet of certain people.
How to choose your activity?
The first question to ask yourself is the following: what problem can you answer with your activity? Indeed, the primary motivation of a person moving towards impact must be the expected positive effect on society or the environment. You have to ask yourself what is close to my heart, what social need I want to meet. But it is also necessary to questioning the field of impact that best corresponds to my skills, acquired during my professional life or during my studies.
It is then necessary to refine its desire for impact. What is the target population? On a delimited territory or nationally? Is there a second impact that I want to have with my activity?
Train to be operational
Why not go through a training course before starting? Indeed, there is a significant number of training courses to become an impact entrepreneur. And there’s something for everyone : moocs, online training, personalized coaching. Depending on your knowledge of the subject, choose the accompaniment that suits you. But you can also for an incubator which will accompany you via a program of several months in the realization of your project. There are many specialized in impact themes.
Develop an adequate business model
An impact business is still a business. It is therefore necessary to think about the economic model that will best support your cause. Of course, find out what is already being done and try to be original. Offer paid services to actors to, on the side, make a free offer available. Find all the public funding that corresponds to your activity. Offer to make donations as compensation. Short : impact can be the forefront of business modelso have fun.
Seek funding opportunities
Who to turn to for funding? It is possible to mount its structure in equity, of course. But you can also turn to impact funds that are on the same wavelength as you. Phitrust, Citizen Capital, Impact Coopératif, Mirova solidaire… There are maps of existing funds on the web. For example, Impact France has produced one that lists funds according to funding ticket and investment phase. You can also turn to more traditional funds. Many now want to fund impact projects.
Writing
–
