How will SEAD benefit my organization? 

Custom advice and guidance in scaling

You will receive a designated faculty “coach” from the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business to help diagnose scaling challenges and discover enablers to support the growth of your organization. 

A network of peers

SEAD creates a platform for entrepreneurs to connect directly: those at a similar stage of growth/evolution addressing similar challenges. Entrepreneurs can exchange best practices at the annual in-person SEAD Summit, peer learning groups, and other tailored interactions. 

Expert faculty and student support across Duke

Tap into expertise across Duke University and Duke Medicine, from business to nursing and engineering to law to help guide entrepreneurs through new ideas and devise approaches to address challenges in scaling impact. 

Investment and funding expertise and connections

Investors’ Circle, the oldest, largest and most successful early-stage impact investing network, helps SEAD entrepreneurs get ready for equity; SEAD also works to make strategic introductions to key healthcare investors and funders interested in supporting global health innovation.

Leaders in key geographies

SEAD entrepreneurs can access change makers in India and East Africa through the support of USAID (SEAD’s funder).  USAID missions, health system leaders, and policy makers could potentially help catalyze impact. 

How has SEAD benefited other entrepreneurs?

Though not all entrepreneurs are guaranteed to gain the same benefits from SEAD, being part of SEAD can increase the likelihood of exposure to opportunities such as the example from the first cohort of entrepreneurs below.

Changamka is a SEAD entrepreneur in Kenya that provides a low-cost health insurance product in partnership with Safaricom.  Through its involvement with SEAD, Changamka received:

Bi-monthly coaching calls with a leading impact investing practitioner

Customized marketing support from NY Times bestselling author and behavior change specialist

Targeted introductions to healthcare investors interested in the Kenyan market

Opportunity to present to the head of USAID

Going forward, Changamka will work with the SEAD program to support strategic growth questions as it looks to sign up one million families as subscribers for its health insurance program this year.  

---

How can I get involved or suggest an organization for SEAD? 

If you have read the criteria (link) and believe your or another organization would be a good fit, it's simple! Nominate the organization using the link below. Let's get started:

1.       Nominate the organization on our short form by November 1st  - but as soon as possible preferred: http://www.dukesead.org/prospective-innovators.html

2.       Complete the application (invite only): If the organization meets our criteria, we will invite the organization to complete an application by November 15th.

3.       Provide supplemental information:  Applications are evaluated by the Selection Committee; further review may include a call or request for additional information including 3rd party references.

4.       Stay in touch, await announcement:  All candidates are reviewed; six organizations will be selected on or after January 1, 2014.


In the meantime, sign up for updates and contact us with any questions about the process.