Social Venture Weekend
The Social Venture Weekend at Cambridge Judge Business School is for anyone with an ambition to set up or grow a business that makes a positive social or environmental impact.
Programme details
Dates:
25-26 July 2025
Duration:
2 days
Format:
Full-time
Location:
Cambridge Campus
Overview
The workshop is an inspiring introduction to the social venture sector and a valuable opportunity to focus intensely on your own business.
In an inclusive, supportive and friendly atmosphere, you’ll have the opportunity to share and test your ideas with others and learn from the experience of successful social entrepreneurs.
You will enjoy 2 days of world-class training on topics from business models for social ventures and financial tools to market research and legal structures.
- For emerging social entrepreneurs, it’s a chance to explore new ideas and get started on your new business.
- For established social ventures, you will be able to refine your business plan and cement your understanding of business fundamentals to help your business thrive.
This was my first introduction to social entrepreneurship and I really think it could change the course of my life, my career and how I impact the world.
Course content
Our training helps emerging social entrepreneurs explore new ideas and supports established social ventures to refine their thinking. Unlike other entrepreneurial training, ours is from a social perspective, with a strong focus on social impact within the context of creating and scaling a sustainable business.
Over the 2 days, faculty from Cambridge Judge Business School and other world-class experts in social enterprise will cover:
- business planning
- market research
- legal structures
- finance
You’ll discuss your ideas with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs, developing the story and business model around your venture.
Who attends
We welcome any business working to make positive social or environmental impact across all sectors, from employment to genomics, ageing to energy.
Our Social Venture Weekends are for anyone running a business dedicated to making social impact, whether it’s a fully-fledged business or still just a bright idea. Social Venture Weekend is for you if:
- you are starting, or already running, a business dedicated to making social impact
- you’re ambitious to scale up rapidly, become investment ready, and secure finance
There are no prerequisites for attendees and we do not assess you – we are here to encourage and support you. Attendees only need:
- a business idea for a new or growing venture to explore through the workshop
- a strong social mission at the core of your work
- a willingness to share and discuss your ideas with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs
The weekend is designed for individuals who are ready with a project in mind.
Important information
Never once did I feel like this wasn’t for me – despite not ever going to university or having been in full-time work for the past 8 years. It was welcoming, warm, and the facilitators were warm, friendly and approachable.