Social Enterprise Business Models: Mission Market Model
The third and last social enterprise business model covered by Professor Bentley is the mission market model. In a typical mission market model, a mission or social impact opportunity is also a large market opportunity. One company that utilizes the mission market model is One Degree Solar.
One Degree Solar
One Degree solar is a wholesaler of renewable energy systems. In rural communities where there is little access to grid connector electricity, One Degree Solar is there to provide solar lanterns. These solar lanterns have a tremendous impact value. The lanterns provide healthier light, compared to alternatives, such as kerosene. Solar lanterns are a safer alternative in comparison to candles. Compared to candles and kerosene, the solar lanterns provide better lighting and are a financial benefit to the local individuals of rural communities. Combined with a microfinance option, the solar lanterns turn out to be cheaper than candles and kerosene that are currently being used today.
There’s a large market opportunity here. For those living without grid connected electricity, a company selling solar lanterns, like One Degree Solar, has the opportunity to achieve a decent market. This also provides a large amount of environmental benefits and social impacts.
Social Enterprise Models
A mission market model identifies a mission or social impact opportunity also as a large market opportunity. Environmental and social impacts can be achieved through utilizing a mission market model.
In this series, Professor Bentley discussed three different social enterprise business models, including the Operations Efficiency model, the Value Rub model, and the Mission Market model. Each of these three models provides market-based solutions that address societal and environmental problems. These social enterprise business models have positive environmental and social impacts as well as impacts on communities.