On 28 March 2025, raiSE SG and ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) co-organised the International Women’s Day Accelerate Action 2025 Conference which showcased the powerful impact of visionary Women Social Entrepreneurs who go beyond business as usual, balancing both purpose and profit.
In a powerful sharing by Subashini Balakrishnan (Suba), Assistant CEO at raiSE, on the main panel, several key aspects of women's leadership in social enterprises were highlighted. Firstly, women constitute a significant majority (64%) of raiSE Social Enterprise leaders, a testament to their innate emotional intelligence and strong drive for impact. She also addressed the misconception that while their social value is often acknowledged, their financial capabilities are sometimes questioned.
Drawing from her own entrepreneurial journey, Suba shared valuable insights on overcoming self-doubt, emphasising the importance of self-belief, letting go of perfectionism, and prioritising execution. Furthermore, she noted how social enterprises are at the forefront of redefining the future of work through flexibility and caregiving support, creating more inclusive opportunities for women. Finally, she underscored the crucial role of a supportive community in empowering women social entrepreneurs.
During the Social Enterprise Panel Discussion Breakout Track hosted by raiSE, there was a powerful declaration: Collaboration is the cornerstone of transformative impact for social enterprises. For founders leading purpose-driven ventures, strategic alliances aren't just beneficial – they're essential for navigating challenges and achieving sustainable, meaningful change.
Here are the three key takeaways from the discussion with Vivian Lee - Founder of Go!Mama, Cheryl Ou. - Founder of The Social Space Pte Ltd, Huijia Phua- Founding Director of Skillseed Singapore, Jenny Wee, PBM- Founder of TheSocialEquity, moderated by Wei Shan Koh, Director, Strategic Initiatives at raiSE SG.
Within the Social Enterprise community, your true "competitors" could sometimes go beyond other businesses. Instead, they could be the societal issues you're striving to address such as the lack of inclusivity, limited awareness, or systemic barriers to change.
Challenge the status quo together: See other social enterprises as potential allies in tackling these larger challenges.
Pool resources for a powerful advantage: Strategic collaborations, even with those you might traditionally see as competitors, allow you to leverage collective resources, expand your reach, and create win-win scenarios that strengthen everyone in the long run.
Your unique value is your strength: While collaborating, be certain of what your business's unique value proposition is and clearly communicate it. This ensures you remain distinct and competitive within the broader market.
Impact as a competitive edge: By prioritising positive social impact, you build a powerful brand and attract conscious consumers and partners, ultimately strengthening your overall competitiveness.
The Bottom Line: Shift your mindset from individual competition to collective impact. Strategic alliances are your secret weapon for achieving greater, more sustainable change.
Meaningful collaborations don't happen by chance. They require a strategic and thoughtful approach.
Know the landscape: Purpose opens doors, but it's value and relevance that keep them open. Conduct thorough research on the landscape and identify the crucial gaps where your social enterprise and potential partners can create synergy.
Embrace cross-sector collaboration: Look beyond your immediate sector. Partnering across industries can unlock innovative solutions and drive systemic change.
Address issues early: Identify potential issues or misalignments in collaborations early on and address them proactively to prevent wasting time and resources. Nip things in the bud before they escalate.
Clarity is key: Establish clear goals, shared visions, and well-defined success metrics with your partners from the outset.
Navigate with awareness: Be mindful of potential resource imbalances and power dynamics within partnerships and be prepared to negotiate. Prioritise collaborations built on mutual benefit and, crucially, mutual respect.
The pillars of partnership: Value alignment, unwavering transparency, and open, empathetic communication are non-negotiable for building strong and enduring collaborations.
The Bottom Line: Effective partnerships are built on intentionality, clear communication, and a deep understanding of mutual value. They are the engine that drives amplified impact.
Being a social entrepreneur can be a challenging journey, but you're not alone. The strength and support of the Social Enterprise Community is a powerful asset.
Collective success is our shared goal: Within the Social Enterprise Community, success is measured beyond individual business wins; it's about the collective progress and achievement of the entire tribe.
A haven for purpose-driven businesses: This community fosters a supportive and uplifting environment for genuine individuals driven by a passion for creating meaningful change. Expect less judgment and more mutual encouragement within this close-knit group.
Share and grow together: Fellow social entrepreneurs within the community are often willing to share resources, offer invaluable support, and provide assistance when you need it most.
Learning and adapting: The community offers a unique space to learn diverse approaches and effective strategies for balancing your social mission with financial sustainability from experienced members.
Strength in Unity: Operate within a strong, mission-driven network leveraging collective strength to achieve your goals instead of building in isolation.
A welcoming launchpad for new members: If you're just starting out in your impact journey, we would like to welcome you to the raiSE Impact Community. Join other impact changemakers, and gain access to resources, invitations to learning journeys and networking events, providing the knowledge and experience you need to grow your impact.
The Bottom Line: Tap into the incredible power of the Social Enterprise Community. It's a supportive network where you can learn, grow, and achieve far more together than you ever could alone.
These powerful insights underscore a fundamental truth: by embracing purpose-driven alliances, social entrepreneurs can unlock truly transformative growth and amplify their impact. These key takeaways offer a roadmap for creating meaningful and sustainable change.
At raiSE, we are committed to supporting you on this journey, providing the resources and connections you need to create and grow your impact. Let's continue to collaborate, innovate, and accelerate action together, building a brighter future for all.