Supporting Social Impact Entrepreneurs

Einstein Rising Canada provides mentorship, training and small low interest loans, and grants to socially conscious entrepreneurs in the developing world.

One of our missions at Einstein Rising Canada is to support and create opportunities for growth for social businesses that have a positive impact in their community. We provide training, guidance and support to early stage “social impact” businesses in the developing world.

We focus on businesses that:

• Are innovative and deliver quality products or services to customers.

• Invest in their employees through proper training and fair compensation.

• Deal fairly and ethically with suppliers.

• Are environmentally conscious.

• Support the communities in which they operate, and.

• Generate long-term value that allows a company to grow.

We work closely with a few partner organizations, including Einstein Rising (Uganda) and Vista Ventures Social Impact Fund to provide the best possible value to young social impact entrepreneurs, while ensuring that any entrepreneurs we work with are ethical and have been properly trained.

Impact Loans

In many developing nations access to loans is almost impossible for small startup businesses. If an entrepreneur is able to acquire a loan the interest rates are astronomical, which severely impacts an entrepreneur’s ability to succeed. Many micro-lenders charge rates as high as 30% per month for loans of $100, which means an entrepreneur needs to make more that 30% profit in 30 days just to break even. This is not sustainable, and not surprisingly the default rates are very high.

Our loans range in value from micro loans of $500 to $1,000, with little or no interest depending on the impact the borrower provides on the community. To ensure repayment of our loans, we provide guidance, business and sales advice, accounting training and resources to help their businesses succeed. We also promote the business and expose its products to larger markets.

Entrepreneurs we work with are required to prepare regular financial statements which we analyze together with the entrepreneur to help them understand areas of strength and weakness in the business. We visit and build relationships with each entrepreneur for many months before providing any financial support, and are available for weekly meetings to monitor, provide training and guidance as the business grows.

Grants

Some entrepreneurs present ideas that we feel will significantly improve the lives of others in their community, yet in our estimation don’t have the potential to be self-sustainable. These ideas, usually in the areas of education and empowerment of a marginalized sector of society, are difficult to turn into a sustainable business model. Projects like the Girls Soccer Tournament and the Sister School Project in Uganda fulfill a great need, and deserve our support through Grants.

Our Grants are combined with a commitment by us to provide oversight, mentorship and support, through regular meetings to ensure that all funds achieve the desired impact.

Mentor Training

We know that there are a lot of people who would love to help but simply don’t know how they can make an impact. Do you have a skill, knowledge or experience in business? Why not devote your time and expertise to mentor a young social impact entrepreneur in Uganda. Einstein Rising Canada would be glad to help guide you on how you can help, and match you with an entrepreneur who can benefit from your knowledge and experience. We are always looking for experienced businesspeople willing to share their knowledge.

Einstein Rising Canada is here to support you and provide you with the tools and local knowledge of the challenges faced by businesses trying to operate in Uganda, so that you can use your experience to help a Uganda social entrepreneur grow his business.

You too can contribute to solving Social Challenges in the developing world today