IW STAGES OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT

IGNITE BY IW
IGNITE by IW partners with trusted community anchors (Ignite Hubs) to build a network of long-term entrepreneur development hubs at a neighborhood level. Through Ignite Hubs, IW delivers social enterprise programming that ignites and develops local interest and capacity to transform neighborhood economies.

IDEATE
IW’s Ideate stage employs design thinking methodology to support emerging social entrepreneurs in imagining solutions to critical quality of life and economic prosperity challenges. Ultimately, emerging entrepreneurs will be able to hone in on the unique needs of the community and discover viable business opportunities.

CREATE
IW’s Create stage supports the launch of new and already established nonprofits, businesses, and hybrid entities by equipping them with the resources necessary to build measurable and sustainable social impact business models. This includes the support and guidance from matched long-term mentors, Innovation Works team, and the⠀Miller Center’s⠀robust set of resources. The IW Boost Program is one key element of the Create stage.

GROW
IW’s Grow stage supports emerging or established social enterprises seeking to become sustainable place-based or scalable social enterprises. Enterprises go through a disciplined process to implement the social impact business model, market validation, adapt, and prepare for long-term financing to grow the enterprise and create jobs.

SCALE
IW’s Scale stage identifies and supports social enterprise models seeking to scale beyond the local market, while maintaining operations in Baltimore to continue supporting local neighborhood economies and creating jobs.