Center for Science, Technology, and Society
Founded in 1997, the Center for Science, Technology and Society is one of three Centers of Distinction at Santa Clara University. The Center's interdisciplinary approach contributes to building a community of scholars, providing an integrated education, and serving as an intersection point between the university and society. The Center is governed by a faculty Steering Committee and benefits from the guidance of an external Advisory Board.
The mission of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS) at Santa Clara University is to accelerate global, innovation-based entrepreneurship in service to humanity. Through an array of programs including its signature Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI™), the Center engages an international network of business, investment capital, and technical resources to build the capacity of social enterprises around the world. As a Center of Distinction at Santa Clara University, the Center leverages its programs to inspire faculty and students with real-world case studies, distinctive curricula, and unique research opportunities, advancing the University’s vision of creating a more just, humane, and sustainable world.
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Social Entrepreneurship [edit]
The Center’s focus on social entrepreneurship is embodied in our signature program, the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI™). Social entrepreneurs who win GSBI scholarships gain access to a diverse group of experts and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs for ten months of individualized mentoring and a proven curriculum. Since its inception in 2003, the GSBI has helped more than 150 social enterprises scale their businesses and amplify their impact.
Frugal Innovation [edit]
Complementing the Center’s work with social entrepreneurs is the Frugal Innovation Lab (FIL). In partnership with Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering, the FIL links social entrepreneurs with Santa Clara students and faculty to design innovative, affordable products that address the needs of underserved communities worldwide. By engaging students and faculty with social entrepreneurs, the FIL enables the critical transition from theoretical learning to practical social justice.
Impact Capital [edit]
In the start-up world of Silicon Valley, funding is critical to launch and grow new ventures. While entrepreneurs in the US and Europe enjoy access to well-developed venture capital markets, uncoordinated “impact capital” to social entrepreneurs impedes their growth while their remote locations raise diligence costs. Drawing upon our strong ties to the Silicon Valley business community and our intimate understanding of social enterprise funding needs, the Center helps social entrepreneurs to navigate viable financing alternatives.
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