ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors focus on the social-franchising trend. They argue that scaling challenges have as much to do with the social enterprises' business models as with the ecosystems within which they exist. The authors examine a number of cases and offer suggestions on how these challenges might be addressed. They focus only on social enterprises that target and benefit people at the base of the pyramid (BoP). Most BoP social enterprises are small and medium-sized and microfranchising is a common way for them to expand. The authors use the map to collect, analyse and distribute data and our most recent findings. They found that micro-franchising is one of the most common tools social enterprises use to scale. The authors define 'social enterprise' as a market-based approach to solving a social or environmental problem. They found that the majority of funding and institutional support targets early-stage ventures. However, most make smaller investments that are more appropriate for early-stage ventures.
