Announcing the social entrepreneurs shortlisted for the 2020 Cambridge Social Innovation Prize, awarded by Trinity Hall and the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge
From fighting loneliness on your morning jog, to rethinking land ownership, to helping you repair your broken toaster: the entrepreneurs shortlisted for this year’s £10,000 Cambridge Social Innovation Prize are responding in unique and creative ways to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic crisis.
Cambridge Social Innovation Prize shortlist 2020
The prize, now in its second year, rewards and celebrates outstanding founder-CEOs of social enterprises who have a proven track record of social impact within a thriving business. Trinity Hall alumnus Graham Ross Russell (1953) has generously supported this prize as part of the College’s ongoing work to nurture entrepreneurial ambition among its students and academic fellows.
“As the world faces a once-in-a-generation crisis, it is crucial that business plays its part in building sustainable, innovative solutions with social responsibility at the core,” he said. “By throwing the spotlight on outstanding entrepreneurs, we hope to inspire the next generation of business leaders to take up their mantle.”
The four winners will receive £10,000, 10 days of business support from experts at Cambridge Judge Business School, and introductions into Cambridge entrepreneurial networks and the UK social sector.
When selecting the shortlist for this year’s prize, Programme Director Belinda Bell saw an opportunity to make a targeted contribution by supporting social businesses whose work addresses the pandemic and the associated crises in the economy, mental health, education, social care, housing and employment.
“Social enterprise is key to the UK’s recovery over the coming months and years,” she said. “Our support will help social CEOs develop personally and professionally so they can lead in rebuilding the economy on more equitable and sustainable terms.”
The shortlist is currently being considered by a panel of leaders in impact investing, social enterprise and government, including Baroness Glenys Thornton, Harriet Lamb CBE, Dr Hosein Khajeh-Hosseiny, Barnaby Perks and Man-Sze Li. The winners will be announced in July.
Find out more about the Trinity Hall Entrepreneurship Network
