Oct. 22, 2021

Pivot on Purpose Summit reimagines the power of business models to solve social problems

Explore, discuss and celebrate social enterprise Nov. 18-20 with the Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre at the Haskayne School of Business
Madeleine Shaw and Suzanne Siemens
2021 Social EnterPrize recipients and Aisle International co-founders Madeleine Shaw and Suzanne Siemens.

Business models are a powerful force. There is a growing movement to realize that business models can be a powerful force for good. The Pivot on Purpose Summit is a conversation about how we can reimagine the power of business models to solve social problems. To make this conversation inclusive across Canada and beyond, this summit is virtual and free. Registration is open now.

Building on the 2019 Social EnterPrize event that was delivered in collaboration with the Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre at the Haskayne School of Business and the Trico Charitable Foundation, the Pivot on Purpose Summit not only recognizes leaders in social entrepreneurship, it also provides an opportunity for deeper conversations around this important movement. This year the NU Community Board is collaborating to help recognize student social entrepreneurs from across Canada.

Explore – Stakeholder capitalism, sustainable investing

As an executive, your organization may have incorporated a stakeholder approach, but want further guidance on how to implement it. On Nov. 19, attendees will learn from Alex Edmans, author of Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver both Purpose and Profit. And later that day you will hear from R. Edward Freeman, whom many regard as the founder of stakeholder capitalism.

Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) is being put forward as a measure of environmental and social progress, but does it help to achieve a more equitable future? On Nov. 19, hear from Tariq Fancy, former CIO for sustainability investing at BlackRock capital for his perspectives on how financial measures can build a better future.  

The sessions with Fancy and Edmans are being delivered in partnership with the Canadian Sustainable Finance Network.

Discuss – Social impact ecosystem in Scotland

The Pivot on Purpose Summit starts off Nov. 18 with lessons from Scotland on how to build a country through social entrepreneurship. The efforts of this world leader in nurturing social entrepreneurship include a 10-year strategy, quarterly action plans, biennial sector surveys, a £30 million Third Sector Growth Fund, and ensuring every Scottish schoolchild will engage with social enterprise. Like most of the presentations at the Pivot on Purpose Summit this session will be driven by questions — between the moderator and panel, and by questions from the audience.

Celebrate - Social EnterPrize, What’s Next YYC and NU Award

At the Pivot on Purpose Summit, the Trico Charitable Foundation and the NU board will present awards that cover the entire social impact pipeline in Canada from early to advanced stage.

The first ever Canada-wide student social entrepreneurship award, the NU Student Award, will be featured on Nov. 18. For the local scene there is What’s Next YYC, which will showcase 10 exciting Calgary and area-based social enterprises. (To see the full lineup visit the Pivot on Purpose web page.)

Advanced stage social enterprises from across Canada are recognized through the Social EnterPrize awards. Aisle International (B.C.) is the recipient of the 2021 $100,000 Social EnterPrize from the Trico Charitable Foundation, with runners up Living Works Education Inc. (Alta.), AccessNow (Ont.) and Alinker Inventions Inc. (B.C.)  also being a part of the interactive panel on Nov. 19.

Attendees have the opportunity to be funders through the POPular choice awards — featured as a part of the NU Student Awards, What’s Next YYC and the Social EnterPrize.

How you can register for this event

Registration for the event closes on Nov. 16, 2021. Register online today to ensure your opportunity to vote for the POPular Choice Awards.

Pivot on Purpose is being held in collaboration with the Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre at the Haskayne School of Business, the Trico Charitable Foundation and the NU Community Board. Established in 2008, the Trico Charitable Foundation seeks to close gaps in society by provoking innovation and building capacity in social entrepreneurship. Created by the Trico Charitable Foundation, the NU Community Board is facilitated by young Canadian leaders for young Canadian leaders. NU's goal is to support emerging social impact leaders in the work of closing gaps in society through grants and awards.

The Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre at the Haskayne School of Business was established through the generous support of Wayne and Eleanor Chiu’s family foundation, the Trico Charitable Foundation.