Among the 10 impressive What’s Next YYC finalists who are using the power of business models to solve social problems is the Indigenous-run social enterprise Colouring It Forward. Colouring It Forward produces and sells colouring books and other products developed with Indigenous artists and elders to help to share (and preserve) the beautiful artwork and ancestral wisdom of our Indigenous peoples and promote reconciliation through the arts.
November 21, 2019 was a night that put the celebration of social entrepreneurs front and centre, with the Social EnterPrize and What’s Next YYC awards. Sandwiched between those celebrations was a keynote that was provocative and profound. With the recent availability of the video of the keynote, Trico wanted to share this thought-provoking speech. Dr. Jim Dewald, PhD, Dean of the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, presented a keynote entitled, “Social Enterprise: A New Paradigm?”.
Arbutus Medical is a Vancouver based social enterprise developing devices that break down barriers to safe surgery. Michael Cancilla, Director of Engineering and Co-Founder of Arbutus Medical states:
“From the beginning, we have been focused on expanding surgical care and we do that through frugal innovation. That means we look for simple solutions to complex problems to break down barriers to care.”
Happy New Year! The start of 2020 gives us the opportunity to reflect and learn from 2019. The past twelve months were busy, historic, and made great progress in advancing both social entrepreneurship and Calgary’s role as a hub for social entrepreneurship.
Congratulations to Skwachàys Lodge, recipient of the national Social EnterPrize, and Beaverlodge, CMNGD, Universal Access, and Deepwater Farms for receiving the What’s Next YYC awards.
“These 10 may well be the most amazing collection of Calgary social entrepreneurs I have ever seen. Their diversity, ingenuity and momentum confirm Calgary is a hub of social entrepreneurship activity.” says Dan Overall, Executive Director of the Trico Charitable Foundation.