Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Name	Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Formation	1998
Type	Foundation
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Founder	Klaus Schwab
Parent organization	World Economic Forum

Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is a global organization that promotes social entrepreneurship by identifying, supporting, and connecting leading social entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Founded in 1998 by Klaus Schwab as an enterprise adjacent to the World Economic Forum, the Foundation operates through fellowships, convenings, and partnerships to amplify the influence of practitioner-led innovations in public policy, market design, and philanthropic strategy. It engages a network of Fellows and Global Innovators across sectors including microfinance, impact investing, sustainable development, and public-private partnerships.

History

The Foundation was established in 1998 by Klaus Schwab alongside the World Economic Forum to address gaps observed during the Davos meetings between leaders from business and civil society. Early collaborations included connections with pioneers such as Muhammad Yunus and organizations like Ashoka, Skoll Foundation, and Schwab Foundation-adjacent partners in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Over time the Foundation expanded its scope by creating formal Fellowship programs and aligning with multilateral initiatives like the United Nations Millennium Summit and the subsequent Sustainable Development Goals. It cultivated relations with institutions such as World Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Commission, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and private actors including Goldman Sachs and Mastercard Foundation, embedding social entrepreneurship within global governance and finance dialogues.

Mission and Activities

The Foundation’s mission centers on elevating social innovation and practitioner-led solutions to systemic problems. Core activities include nominating and selecting Fellows, convening at the annual World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos and regional summits, publishing thought leadership with partners like McKinsey & Company and Harvard Kennedy School, and facilitating strategic introductions between Fellows and stakeholders such as UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and multistakeholder coalitions like B Team. Programming emphasizes scaling models in areas connected to healthcare delivery by organizations akin to Partners In Health and Médecins Sans Frontières, financial inclusion championed by entities such as Grameen Bank, and climate resilience similar to work by Climate-KIC and Rockefeller Foundation.

Programs and Initiatives

The Foundation runs multiple targeted initiatives: a global Fellowship that recognizes influential social entrepreneurs, thematic platforms addressing topics like impact investing and gender equality, and accelerator-style partnerships with universities and corporates. Signature initiatives have included collaborations with Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at University of Oxford, joint research with Stanford Social Innovation Review and Harvard Business School, and regional programs in partnership with institutions such as Africa Leadership Academy and Asian Development Bank. The Foundation also curates awards and showcases during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that bring Fellows into dialogue with leaders from European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, NHS England, and multinational corporations including Unilever and Coca-Cola. Capacity-building work has linked Fellows to networks like Ashoka, Global Social Benefit Institute, and finance channels including Impact Investing platforms and institutional investors like BlackRock’s sustainable investing arms.

Governance and Leadership

Governance is structured through advisory boards and an executive team situated within the ecosystem of the World Economic Forum. The Foundation’s leadership has historically collaborated with senior executives and board members from organizations such as McKinsey & Company, Accenture, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and philanthropic bodies including Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network. Advisory roles have been filled by prominent figures from Harvard University, Yale University, London School of Economics, and global institutions such as United Nations Foundation. Selection committees for Fellows typically draw expertise from leaders associated with Skoll Foundation, Echoing Green, Ashoka, and academic centers like the Blavatnik School of Government.

Partnerships and Impact

Partnerships are central: the Foundation leverages alliances with multilateral agencies, corporate partners, academic centers, and philanthropic funders to scale models developed by Fellows. Notable collaborative efforts have connected Fellows to resources from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, European Commission Horizon 2020, and national development banks like State Bank of India and Banco do Brasil. Impact is measured via case studies, independent evaluations, and cross-sector convenings with stakeholders including UNICEF, World Health Organization, World Bank Group, and national ministries exemplified by Ministry of Finance (India) and Department for International Development (UK). Through matchmaking with investors such as BlueOrchard and Triodos Investment Management, Fellows have secured funding to expand programs in regions covered by African Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Latin American and Caribbean Economic System initiatives.

Recognition and Awards

The Foundation elevates leaders through fellowships, public showcases, and awards presented at events attended by heads of state, corporate chairs, and philanthropic CEOs. Recognition has highlighted laureates and Fellows who have been similarly acknowledged by institutions like Nobel Committee, Skoll Awards, MacArthur Foundation, Gates Cambridge Trust, and various national honors. Many Fellows have subsequently engaged in high-profile roles within United Nations agencies, national advisory councils, academic appointments at Harvard Kennedy School and INSEAD, and board positions with global NGOs such as Oxfam and CARE International.

Category:Foundations based in Switzerland