Creating the Conditions for Change:
Lessons and Resources
RECODE WEBINAR: JUNE 3, 2015
Noon to 1 pm EST

McConnell Senior Fellows
Allyson Hewitt, based at MaRS
Centre in Toronto
Cheryl Rose, based in Vancouver

Some ways to think about “CHANGE”
WHAT KIND OF CHANGE?
AT WHAT SCALE?
FOR WHAT IMPACT?

Network or group level
A change in conversation
A change in routine
A change in resource
commitment or influence
Institutional level
A change in culture
A change in laws/policies
A change in resource
distribution/availability
Organizational level
A change in strategies
A change in procedures
A change in resource
distribution/availability
Individual level
A change of heart
A change of habits
A change of ambition
Frances Westley, University of Waterloo

2015-06-11
DEFINING SOCIAL INNOVATION
Social innovation is an initiative, product, process
or program that profoundly changes a social system
by changing one or more of:
Ø the basic routines (how we act; what we do)
Ø the resources flows (money, knowledge, people)
Ø the authority flows (laws, policies, rules)
Ø the beliefs (what we believe is true, right/wrong)

Some ways to think about
“CHANGE AGENTS”
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
and
SYSTEM ENTREPRENEURS

Agents for change in complex systems
• Social entrepreneurs’ goals are to create and
introduce new ideas, processes, and products into an
existing system allowing it to adapt and learn.
• The goal of system entrepreneurs, however, is to
create change at the broadest system level. Their goal
is not to help the system adapt, but to help the system
transform.
• System change is more likely when BOTH these kinds
of entrepreneurship exist within systems.

LESSONS about working for change

MaRS works with partners to catalyze,
accelerate, scale and diffuse innovation.
We help entrepreneurs start and grow
successful global companies.
Together, we help Canada prosper.
Our Future Matters.
Build the new economy. Improve society.

Innovation Platform Levers
Vector of change – the Entrepreneur
VENTURES
Support high-­‐impact
ventures from startup to
scale with advice &
mentorship, as well as
access to capital,
customers and talent.
Acceleration
INNOVATION PLATFORM & PLACE
Bolster our organization, brand and outcomes.
Build our hub and capacity to strengthen our community.
SYSTEMS
Scale and diffuse
innovation through
collaborative initiatives
that open markets for
emerging companies and
create new solutions in
key sectors.
Scale
TALENT
Equip Canadian
innovators,
entrepreneurs and
intrapreneurs with the
skills, tools, intelligence
and networks they need
to succeed.
Capacity

“McConnell Ten”: CSL across Canada
GOALS: (national program launched in 2004)
• Create new, engaging, real world learning for students
• Support university-­‐community partnerships for change
• Transform post-­‐secondary systems to be relevant and
active in leading on social and environmental challenges

RESOURCES for working for change

MaRS Entrepreneurs Toolkit

September 2014
Canada’s largest in-­‐person and online
entrepreneurship education centre

SiG National Knowledge Hub

Venture Programs connects entrepreneurs, organizations or funds
seeking capital to potential investors or identifies available capital
that will help launch or grow their initiative
Capital Advisory Services works with clients (e.g., investors, non-­‐
for-­‐profits, foundation, governments) to design, develop, and execute
on impact investing strategies
Education & Researchprovides tailored seminar, public speaking
and research in impact investing for governments, nonprofit
organizations and private sector companies across Canada. The
Center is a major convener of public forums and media on social
finance.
http://socialfinance.ca/

Embedding Social
Innovation
www.AshokaU.org

THREE ONLINE, OPEN-­‐ACCESS MODULES:
• Complex Systems and Problems
• Seeing and Describing Systems
• Social Innovation & System Entrepreneurship
http://www.wisironline.ca

Inside or Outside? Learning on the Edge
by Margo Fryer
This website offers an in-­‐depth description of the
University of British Columbia (UBC) Learning Exchange as
both an instance of community-­‐university engagement
and an example of social innovation. www.margofryer.ca

QUESTIONS? Contact us!
Allyson Hewitt,
Social Innovation at MaRS
ahewitt@marsdd.com
1.416.673.8410
Twitter @AllysonHewitt
Cheryl Rose,
Social Innovation Generation (National)
crose@mcconnellfoundation.ca
1.604.428.3630