Commentary: Social Entrepreneurs Move From the Margins to Mainstream

At the beginning of the 21st century, social entrepreneurship was not widely recognized, as the corporate world focused on the growth of internet-based companies during the dot-com boom[para. 1][para. 2]. Now, 25 years later, social entrepreneurship has occupied a more central role, driven by the pressing challenges of climate change, social inequality, and distrust in democracy, which raise questions about existing socioeconomic systems[para. 3][para. 4]. People are seeking better alternatives[para. 4].

Social entrepreneurship is versatile; it includes individual innovators, leaders in multinational companies, and collective social innovators who aim to address societal and environmental issues through innovative approaches and new business models[para. 5][para. 6]. Corporate leaders now acknowledge that an organization’s success is interlinked with the well-being of its workforce, local community, and environment[para. 7]. Particularly inspiring innovations have emerged from individuals experiencing global challenges firsthand, as these social entrepreneurs tackle pressing issues through sustainable business models[para. 8][para. 9].

These entrepreneurs have made significant strides in sectors such as healthcare and education by creating economic opportunities for the excluded while demonstrating climate action in cooperation with local communities[para. 10]. The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, recognizes 18 awardees at the Annual Meeting in Davos 2025. This includes Cecilia Corral and Vineet Singal of CareMessage, improving health equity through tech, Trinh Thi Huong from Vietnam, fostering policy support for enterprises, and Madeleine Ballard of the Community Health Impact Coalition[para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14].

Research by the Schwab Foundation underscores the immense potential of social enterprises to solve business problems and meet sustainability and environmental goals[para. 15]. Collaborations, such as Google’s Open Health Stack with WHO, exemplify this by enabling the development of AI-powered health solutions, which help reduce health access inequality globally[para. 16]. Over two dozen companies have committed to increasing investments in social innovation through initiatives like the Rise Ahead Pledge[para. 17].

Social enterprises provide novel solutions to contemporary issues, showing that creating economic value can coexist with achieving social and environmental goals through improved inclusivity and cooperation[para. 18]. Social entrepreneurs fill market and public sector gaps, such as healthcare, addressing systemic challenges and contributing to sustainable economic opportunities. Their work aligns with one of the 2025 World Economic Forum's priorities, “Reimagining Growth,” under the theme “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age”[para. 19][para. 20].

Moving towards a more inclusive and sustainable world necessitates collaboration between social entrepreneurs and other sectors, benefiting from diverse investments and political acknowledgment[para. 21]. Together, these efforts aim to achieve shared goals and create a better future through collective action[para. 21]. The article is authored by François Bonnici, director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and Hilde Schwab, chairperson and co-founder of the foundation[para. 22]. The authors' opinions do not reflect the editorial stance of Caixin Media[para. 23].