TiE Chennai in association with Villgro organized “UNCONVENTION|SPEAKER SERIES”
~ Session on social entrepreneurial business aims to make money while also solving social problems~
Chennai, June 22, 2017 – To encourage social enterprise with the budding entrepreneurs in the city, TiE Chennai & Villgro today organised “Unconvention – Speaker series” on ‘Can we make money and impact the poor’ presented by Mr Paul Basil, Founder, Villgro Innovations Foundations with an inspirational story of a social entrepreneur recently at IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai.
Mr Paul expressed the important nexus of profit and impact where social enterprises operate and the essential elements of success for an enterprise and entrepreneur in this field. The session also focused the approach to serving customers in the Bottom/Base of the Pyramid (BOP) while ensuring financial sustainability from strong revenue streams.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narayanan, President, TiE Chennai, says, “TiE Chennai has always supported entrepreneurs and has nurtured innovative business ideas. Today, social entrepreneurs are on a rise and are seen to explore newer ways to bring change through their businesses. We will continue to extend our support to empower social entrepreneurs thereby creating a bigger difference for a better tomorrow”.
In Unconvention speaker series, where aspiring entrepreneurs can hear the inspiring stories of fellow social entrepreneurs and understand their journey, learn from experts on various topics that will help build your business, and connect with a network of opportunities, resources and people.
Experts also share insights on specific issues pertaining to early-stage social startups, such as using a business model canvas, legal compliance, understanding a term-sheet, fundraising, and more.
Speaker Mr. Paul Basil founded Villgro in 2001 with the mission of incubating early-stage, innovative businesses and has since worked in discovering thousands of innovations and innovators, and incubated around 120 businesses. He also co-founded Villgro Innovation Marketing Pvt Ltd, a unique retail chain for innovative products targeting the rural poor. In 2016, he co-founded the Menterra Social Impact Fund.
