This slideshow of examples of social finance stemmed from the Social Business sponsorship of MaRS Discovery District and SocialFinance.ca's annual Social Finance Forum. We first attended in 2011, which featured speakers including Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) and author of Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference. The 2012 Social Finance Forum, which took place in Toronto in November was covered on the SocialBusiness.org blog, Social Innovation Meets Business Revolution, by our community manager, Rebecca Byers. She outlines some of the workshops she attended, more specifically, the ‘Social return on investment 101' one, which was put on by SiMPACT Strategy Group.
Here, are some of the pitches from the Good Deals UK section at the 2011 conference as well as other examples of social finance and investment.
15 Examples of Social Finance
15
Experience-Creating Cleaners
The Eco Laundry Room Has a Cafe, Kid's Play Area and Free WiFi
14
Social Investment Infographics
ClearlySo Marks the Start of the Future for Children Bond
13
Stuff-Sharing Social Enterprises
Unstash Fosters Collaborative Consumption for Sustainability
12
Social Profit Societies
Allia Works with Investments in the United Kingdom - Allia
11
Creating Community Bonds
CSI's Tonya Surman Addresses the 2011 Social Finance Forum
10
Disruptive Entrepreneur Incubators
The Unreasonable Institute Spurs Social Enterprise Ventures
9
Passionate Internet Communities
Phinklife is a Social Platform and Non-Profit Organization
8
Social Finance Forums
Mobilize Capital and Inspire New Ideas at 'Investing in Good Deals'
7
Digital Divide Connectors
Talk2One is a Social Enterprise Connecting People to Communication
6
CSR Influencers
'One Love Network' Empowers Consumers to Impact Social Good Budgets
5
Ambitious Altruistic Energy Ventures
Barefoot Power Provides Affordable Renewable Light Sources
4
Maintenance Services Co-ops
Self-Reliance Solutions Creates Employment Opportunities in Toronto
3
Social Investment Bank
First Charity Oriented Bank
2
Flying Pig Pitches
Good Deals UK Brings Unconventional Voting to the 2011 Social Finance Forum
1
Social Enterprise Magazines
Beyond Profit Provides Content to Spark Positive Change
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Disruptive AI-Finance Chatbots
Origin Financial Wins Big with AI Chatbot for Everyday Finance
AI-Powered Investment Strategies
Prospero.ai Delivers Sophisticated Investment Strategies
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Revolutionary Social Networking Platforms
Soei aims to contribute value to the Global Community
DIY Fandom Initiatives
Scotiabank's Make it Merch Launch Promotes Inclusivity & Sustainability
Digital Sustainable Food Solutions
Special Projects Debuts Eco Lenses to Help with Decision-Making
Box-Office-Themed Travel Pop-Ups
Intrepid x TIFF Host an Experiential Travel Activation
AI-Fueled Finance Apps
The 'Finn' App Can Provide Accurate Responses to Complex Queries
Inclusive Social Support Programmes
MCR Social is Supporting Underrepresented Neurodiverse Youth
Social Commerce Platforms
21 Buttons is a Social Fashion Shopping Network
Finance eSports Partnerships
GIANTX Partnered with HSBC to Educate Youth on Finances
Blockchain-Integrated Online Banking
Kauri Finance 3.0 Represents an Evolution in Online Banking
Social Commerce Apps
GIST is an App-Based Social Platform for Sharing Purchases with Friends
Clothing Buy-Back Programs
Eileen Fisher Revolutionizes Clothing Recycling with Renew Program
AI Promo Code Platforms
SimplyCodes Combines AI and Crowdsourcing to Test Discount Codes
Mindful Eco-Friendly Banks
Climate First Bank is Ready to Expand Nationwide
Innovative Blockchain Technology Seminars
The Finsai Group is Organizing a Major Seminar in Milan
Esports CSR Initiatives
The Global Esports Federation Launched a Global Social Impact Initiative
Empowering Startup Programs
Siemens Has Unveiled the 'Siemens for Startups' Program at CES 2025
Financial Coloring Books
Chime Boasts Activities for Financial Progress Month
Micro-Influencer Marketing Services
SCREENSHOT Micro Boost Refines the Brand-Creator Experience
AI Finance News Platforms
Financial Flow Delivers AI Finance News, Analysis, and Price Tracking
AI Startup Idea Generators
IdeaPicker Scours Reddit to Discover Your Next Big Idea
Custom Inspirational Quotes
Muse Combines Quotes with Creative Themes for Social Media
Diverse Community Creator Programs
The Champion Creators Program Harnesses Diverse Expression
Realistic Investment Simulations
Asset Manager Quest Offers Players Real-World Consequences
In-Store Audience Engagement Solutions
Social Shelf® Has a Novel Approach to Customer Engagement
Wellness Lifestyle Clubs
The Health Cafe Introduces Social Wellness Programming in Toronto
Financial Accessibility-Enhancing Cards
iCapital Ventures Launches the Liorcard Titanium
Motivational Breakfast Ccampaigns
Quaker Canada Introduces '100 Reasons to Rise'
Startup Networking Platforms
Foundity Connects Founders with Peers, Resources, and AI Tools
Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
Ooutliers Shares Insights From Successful Startups
Influencer-Focused Social Platforms
Later Launches an AI-Powered Social Listening Tool
Social-First Car Campaigns
Škoda's Reddit Car Share Amplified the Voices of Passionate Fans
AI Personal Finance Tools
WeFIRE Uses AI To Provide Tailored Guidance Through Complex Finances
Social Marketplace Updates
Instagram Launches a Marketplace to Better Connect Brands and Creators
Pioneering Secondhand Search Engines
Beni Dominates Resale Marketplace with Innovative App
Educational Affordable Housing Initiatives
Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington is Uniting Youth
Sustainable Bikini Fashion Shows
Space Swap Promotes Eco-conscious Fashion with Its Fashion Show
AI-Powered Fundraising Platforms
Socap.ai Simplifies Startup Fundraising and Expands Networks
Beauty Innovation Funds
L’Oréal's Inclusive Beauty Fund Recipients Were Announced
Online Idea-Sharing Platforms
Collaborate, Share, and Discover Projects with Oasis of Ideas
Loneliness-Combating Social Campaigns
Hinge Launches the New One More Hour Campaign and Fund
Global Digital Marketplaces
Renaissance Hotels' R FINDS Shares Goods from Local Artisans
Engaging Spending Insights
Parcely Finance is Like 'Spotify Wrapped' for Spending Habits
Environmental Sustainability Business Initiatives
Butterfly Pavilion Organized a Special Coalition
Clean Energy Battery Companies
Greenworks Group Has Been Featured in The Human Component
Simplified Investment Platforms
R'ket Helps Younger Generations Make Investment Decisions
Feel-Good Financial Campaigns
Ally Financial's Banksgiving Supports Customers in Need with Funds
Inequalities-Focused Exhibition Forums
Triennale Milano Marks Its 24th International Exhibition
Social Justice Desert Campaigns
Ben & Jerry's 'Make Some Motherchunkin' Change' Campaign Debuted
Transformer Robots-Powered STEAM Education
Wefaa Robotics Recently Secured Seed Funding
Outdoor Toronto Film Festivals
The Lavazza IncluCity Film Festival is Back from June to July
Connective Supplier Initiatives
Hilton Supply Management Boasts Fair Procurement Practices
Skincare Investment Campaigns
Kiehl's Skin-Vestment Pairs Skincare Solutions and Financial Jargon
Small Business Investment Initiatives
'aeXea Capital' is Investing in Baby Boomer-Founded Brands
Localized Enterprise Programs
Unilever Introduced a Suppliers’ Recruitment Drive in Thailand
Marketing Social Advocacy Tools
Nut Tree Helps Smaller Brands Boost Their Presence
Climate-Conscious Investing Platforms
Climatize Helps Consumers Invest in Green Initiatives
Forest-Protecting Fashion Brand Initiatives
Canopy Leads an Initiative To Save the Forests
Youth-Focused Financial Literacy Guides
Lakefront Finance Targets Gen Alpha, Gen Z & Millennials
Educational Agriculture Platforms
The Accountability Framework Initiative Emphasizes Ethics
Farming Investment Funds
Lotus Foods Secured Substantial Funding from Grounded Capital
Money Management Platforms
Wealth Calculator Lets You Visualize Your Investment Journey
Office-Transformed Co-Living Spaces
HUB & Bridges Fund Management Present its Cornerstone Project
Enlightening Supplier-Based Events
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Unveils a Supplier Diversity Event
Culture-Focused Crowdfunding Campaigns
NTD International Competitions Runs a Crowdfunding Campaign
Supportive Female Entrepreneur Scholarships
Swerve Boasts the Swerve(HER) Elevation Scholarship
Chance to win £10,000
Meet the Cornish upcycler inspiring people
Sustainable Finance Accelerators
Commerzbank Taps Tenity for a New Sustainable Finance Accelerator
Inclusive Social Housing Projects
Peris + Toral Arquitectes Design 85 Social Dwellings in Cornellà
Gamified Sustainability Platforms
The Carbon Games is an App that Makes Sustainability Competitive
Youth Education Partnerships
FP Markets and Cricket Brasil Debuted a Youth Development Initiative
Personal Efficiency Optimizers
8020.in Everything Maximizes Results by Focusing on the Key 20%
Athlete-Inspired AI Brand Campaigns
AngelAi Taps a Groups of Athletes to Promote Its Ethos
Gen Z Whitepapers
Wondershare Filmora Has Published Its First Whitepaper Titled 'Gen Z in Action'
AI-Powered Finance Tools
MyFi Unveils a New AI Assistant Designed for Investment Guidance
Finance-Sport Partnership Sweepstakes
Nerdwallet is Offering Prizes with Philadelphia Union
Anniversary-Celebrating Nonprofit Partnerships
LILYSILK Engages in Philanthropic Partnerships
Resilience-Focused Children's Books
Savvy Suzanna Inspires Young Entrepreneurs with Creativity
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
Marketing Mentorship Platforms
Sprout Social Launches as a New Business Mentorship Network
Disaster Relief-Supporting Pr Initiatives
Publicity for Good Supports Hurricane Helene Relief
Investment Comparison Platforms
'Upside Invest' Helps Users Compare Their Progress with Others
Prolonged Activism Campaigns
Oxfam's Stay In The Fight Encourages Lasting Social Influences
Diversifying University Supplier Initiatives
The Supplier Diversity Fair Aims to Support Locals
Couple Investment Platforms
Plenty is a Tool Revolutionizing Investment for Modern Couples
Niche Community Builders
Socially is the Community Builder Platform for Niche Creators Everywhere
At-Risk Youth-Targeted Initiatives
Victoria's Secret Notes Its Work with Pacific Links Foundation
SaaS Influencer Marketing Tools
Beeing Social Launches 'Buzz Bee Buzz' for Influencer Marketing
Financial Security Research Partnerships
The NIA Partnered with Sun Life on a New Initiative
Earnings-Based Relationship Calculator
Fair Share Calculator Splits Finances Based on Income
Supportive Entrepreneurial Communities
The Zenpreneur Community Provides Resources and Support
Niche Interest Social Networks
Spiral Social Was Inspired by Wikipedia Topics
Cultural Social Media Documentaries
Hulu Unveils the Black Lives Matter: A People's History Doc
Inclusive Women's Health Forums
The Online Health Community Offers Topic-Specific Connection
Integrated Business Banking Tools
PennyFlo Streamlines Financial Management for Businesses
Network-Connecting AI Solutions
Village AI Connect with Your Network to Close Deals
Social Isolation-Combating Platforms
TimeBank by Healthfirst Foundation Has Debuted a New Platform
Connective Non-Profit Funding
Wingtap Connects Users with Charities in Need of Fund
Sustainability-Focused Building Renovations
Climate Group Launches the Renovation Revolution
Inventive Charity Initiatives
Spark Financial's Annual Charity Initiative is for Autism Awareness
Reward-Based Empowerment Platforms
Learn It Live Launches the Learn, Earn, and Win Program
Hotel-Led Vintage Markets
The MOB Hôtel Hosted a Vintage Market, an Eco Conference and Workshops
Explorative Entrepreneur Ideas
Hustle Momumtum Invites You to Discover and Launch Side Hustles
Emerging London Designer Exhibitions
POOR Collective Showcases the Powershift Exhibition in London
Digital Community-Branded Product Lines
The Girl Math Gang Debuts New Product Offerings
Unified Financial Management Platforms
'Fina Money' Tracks Personal and Professional Finances
Enhanced Australian Lendtech Firms
Grapple Invested into its Financier Platforms with AI Tools
Pre-Launch B2B Startup Apps
Faindrr Focuses on Growth and Connections Between new Startup Founders
Self-Service Event Promotions
Industry Dive Adds Self-Service Offerings to Include Event Promotion
Aggregated Social Insights
IndiePulse Uses Forum and Thread Comments to Find Your Next Projects
Asian Designer Furniture Exhibitions
This Year's Emerge Exhibition Marks the Third Annual Showcase
AI-Powered Influencer Tools
SMINCO Connects Businesses with Influencers for Marketing Campaigns
AI-Generated Social Ad Copy
the M1-Project Helps Business Owners Convert Using Social Media
Personal Financial Assistants
Timmy Offers Tailored Suggestions to Improve Spending Habits
Sustainable Water Equity Funds
Candriam Unveils a New Water Conservation Fund for Businesses
Empowering Trader-Focused Campaigns
Vantage Markets Debuts New Phase of Reborn a Trader
Membership-Based Community Engagement
The Lamp App Uses Technology to Promote Community Giving
Shared Kitchen Initatives
Metro & Food Banks of Quebec Address Food Insecurity
Social Proof Enhancement Tools
Proofify Boosts Businesses with Compelling Content and Reviews
Entrepreneurial Journey Insights
Founder Folks Teaches You How Founders Launched Their Business
Financial Organization Tools
Expensio.co Simplifies Budgeting, Tracks Expenses, and Saves Money
Children-Focused Literacy Campaigns
Scholastic Focuses on Expanding Access to Books
Mental Health Community Engagement
OOt Social Health Recently Launched Its Application
Friendship-Focused Finance Agreements
'Friends Over Money' Let's You Make Agreements with Friends
Youth-Oriented Arts Camps
QNB is Set to Unveil an Eco-Friendly Arts Camp for Kids 4-14
Empowering Home Improvement Initiatives
Resurfacing Solutions Offers Mentorship & Ownership
Connective Economic Travel
Swapper Helps Business Travelers Use Hotel Budgets to Stay with Friends
Charitable Esports Projects
Epic Foundation Launches the Esports for Good Initiative
Entrepreneurial Community Building
VenturePals Steps in to Help Solo Entrepreneurs Find Community
Student Athlete-Focused Financial Education
Merrill Wealth Management Partners with IMG Academy
Entrepreneur-Specific Global Hubs
Endeavor Has Launched a New Global Hub in London
Sustainability-Focused Land Awards
The 2024 Land Awards Recognized Five Projects & Two Individuals
Local Economic Growth Initiatives
Hershey's is Supporting Village Savings and Loan Associations
Gamified Inspiration Networks
Dailycrowds Gamifies Social Interaction for Motivation and Insights
Growth-Based Marketing Platforms
Crowdtiv Connects Mentors and Mentees to Grow Businesses
Niche Interest Ads
Interest Navigator Uncovers Interests That are Hidden from Most Advertisers
Weekly Finance Newsletters
Deelscoop Keeps Users Informed from Seed to Series D and Beyond