Capability Development

RIC03 The raiSE Ecosystem

Written by raiSE | Jul 24, 2025 10:01:10 AM

The business landscape is constantly evolving—shaped by shifting market trends, rapid technological advancements, and changing societal expectations. Today, the growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and corporate purpose, the way that businesses operate and create value is changing.

Supporting, partnering, procuring, or investing in Social Enterprises present a new 

Since our founding in 2015, raiSE has been at the forefront of building a vibrant and resilient ecosystem that empowers Social Enterprises (SEs) to adapt, grow, and thrive amidst these changes.

Opportunities within the raiSE Ecosystem

raiSE brings together a dynamic network of local and international partners—including Social Service Agencies, corporations, policymakers, and global organisations such as the United Nations and Meta—to foster collaboration and amplify social impact.

Capability Development

As part of the raiSE ecosystem, Social Enterprises gain access to a suite of growth-enabling resources:

These tools are designed to help SEs sharpen their business models, improve operational efficiency, and scale social impact.

Opportunities for Funding

We recognise that, unlike traditional businesses that focus solely on profit, Social Enterprises must balance financial sustainability with social impact creation. This dual mission often brings unique challenges such as higher operational costs, longer break-even timelines, and difficulty in attracting traditional investors.

Through raiSE’s ecosystem, SEs can tap into various funding programs and social impact accelerators to:

  • Kickstart operations for early-stage social enterprises.
  • Scale their impact and expand outreach.
  • Develop innovative solutions that drive sustained positive change in communities.

Expanding Market Reach

With the support of raiSE’s extensive network and the credibility provided by the raiSE Social Enterprise Directory, a broader audience, including corporate partners and key ecosystem stakeholders can now discover and connect with our SEs. 

These supporters actively collaborate with raiSE to engage with Social Enterprises through:

  • Skills-based volunteering
  • Inclusive hiring initiatives
  • Social procurement partnerships
  • Marketplace opportunities
  • Event sponsorships

By fostering these strategic connections, raiSE continues to strengthen the Social Enterprise ecosystem, enabling businesses to thrive while creating meaningful social impact.

Watch this space for the first batch of Social Enterprise Advocates that will be announced in 2026. Social Enterprise Advocates are partner organisations from the people, public, private sector that work with raiSE to strengthen the Social Enterprise Ecosystem.

In recognising SE Advocates, we consider three key aspects across all categories. Intentionality reflects the deliberate commitment of organisations to support social enterprises and the wider ecosystem. Additionality looks at the tangible value they bring beyond what SEs could access on their own, whether through funding, capability building, platforms, or other forms of support. Proportionality considers the scale and sustained nature of their contribution, and the alignment of their support with the long-term growth and impact of SEs. Together, these criteria recognise organisations whose actions strengthen the SE ecosystem, amplify raiSE’s membership framework, and help social enterprises thrive.

WATCH: Money Mind: Social Enterprise - Making A Difference -
Making breastfeeding time more convenient for mums and babies


Featuring Social Enterprise Member: Go!Mama

 

Continue your raiSE Impact Community Journey

If you are part of the raiSE Impact Community, we have designed a 7-step journey that would guide you towards strategic incorporation of social impact in your business.