Amplifying the Power of Purpose-Driven Businesses
Fuelling Social Change.
As a UX designer, my team and I were approached by an organization called "Impactraction" that aimed to support social enterprises. The proposal was to develop a digital platform that would connect social enterprises with potential funders and provide resources and support to overcome funding challenges. Through extensive research, user-centered design, and collaborative efforts, we worked towards creating a platform that would empower social enterprises to access the funding they need to create positive social impact.
Social enterprises in Canada often face significant challenges in accessing funding to support their operations and growth. Traditional funding sources such as grants, loans, and investments may not be easily accessible for social enterprises due to their unique business models that combine social and environmental goals with financial sustainability. Many social enterprises struggle to find funding opportunities that align with their mission and values, resulting in limited resources and hindered impact. The lack of dedicated platforms and resources for social enterprises to connect with potential funders and overcome funding challenges is a key pain point that needed to be addressed.
Opportunity Statement
How might we create a stress-free, supportive and trusting environment to make every innovative solution heard and matched for a sustainable impact ecosystem?
Research Findings
Connecting Socially Conscious Ventures with Dedicated Support.
Based on the research findings, we identified the following key issues:
Limited Access to Funding: Social enterprises face challenges in accessing funding due to the unique nature of their business models and the lack of dedicated funding opportunities.
Misalignment with Mission and Values: Social enterprises struggle to find funding sources that align with their mission and values, resulting in limited resources and hindered impact.
Lack of Resources and Support: Social enterprises lack access to dedicated platforms, resources, and support to connect with potential funders and navigate the funding landscape.
Information Overload: Potential funders face challenges in identifying and evaluating social enterprise opportunities due to the scattered and unorganized information available in the market.
A Digital Impact Ecosystem.
Based on the research and analysis, we proposed the following design solutions to create a digital platform that would empower social enterprises in Canada to overcome funding challenges:
Matchmaking Algorithm: Developed a sophisticated matchmaking algorithm that matches social enterprises with potential funders based on their mission, values, funding preferences, and geographic location, enabling more targeted and relevant funding opportunities.
Resource Hub: Created a comprehensive resource hub that provides social enterprises with access to funding guides, templates, case studies, and expert advice, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to navigate the funding landscape effectively.
User-friendly Interface: Designed a user-friendly and intuitive platform that makes it easy for social enterprises to create profiles, showcase their impact, and connect with potential funders, streamlining the funding process.
Verification and Curation: Implemented a verification and curation process to ensure that only genuine and impactful social enterprises are featured on the platform, providing credibility and trust for potential funders.
Collaborative Community: Fostered a collaborative community within the platform that encourages social enterprises, potential funders, and experts to connect, share insights, and collaborate, creating a supportive ecosystem for social enterprises to thrive.
Easy with Real-time Dashboard Insights.
Access all the campaign information and platform features at a glance with our user-friendly dashboard. Stay informed with real-time progress and status updates, empowering the user to effectively manage the fundraising and project management efforts in one centralized location.
BENEFIT
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Effortlessly stay informed and in control of the campaigns with an intuitive dashboard.
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Streamline the fundraising activities and track the progress with ease, saving time and ensuring campaign success.
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Showcase the campaign's progress and status with organized, informed, and structured activities.
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Elevate the fundraising game with an investor-friendly dashboard.
All-in-One Financing Platform
Platform allows users to create a profile, design their own investment strategy, and build a customized portfolio of financing products, including grants, loans, investments, and more. With access to a curated AI powered Netflix-style menu of social purpose organizations, users can easily search, ask questions, and apply for financing opportunities with reduced search costs.
BENEFIT
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Customize the investment strategy and portfolio to align with your social impact goals.
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Easily search and find relevant financing opportunities from a curated menu of social purpose organizations.
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Ask questions and get more information, enabling high-quality funding applications.
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Empower meaningful social impact by simplifying the financing process and providing the tools and supports needed for positive change.
