NESsT 1997-2007: Celebrating ten years of investing in social enterprise solutions

In 2007, NESsT celebrates a decade since our founding in 1997 following the release of our seminal study The NGO-Business Hybrid exploring pioneering cases of social enterprises in 13 countries.

NESsT has since evolved into an international movement with a widening global reach and reputation. NESsT is now a sum of incredible parts: an outstanding international staff of nearly 20 determined and talented business and nonprofit professionals; a dedicated and visonary international board; committed and generous donors; and an impressive volunteer advisory network of business leaders.

By far, however, the most exciting leg of our journey has been coming to know the creative, entrepreneurial and idealistic portfolio of social enterprise leaders with whom we work. Every day they illustrate to us the great power and potential of social enterprise as a means of promoting social change and development in emerging markets.

We took a tremendous risk in 1997 by entering the largely uncharted territory of supporting the planning, start-up, and development of social enterprises in emerging markets. But both the growing demand for and impact of our work thus far reaffirm our commitment to respond to this unmet need in the nonprofit sector. And we are now well positioned to continue and grow our efforts.

Our priority at NESsT has shifted from proving our strategy to scaling it.

As we reflect on our accomplishments and challenges of the last decade and look toward new ambitious goals for the future, our priority has shifted from proving our strategy to scaling it. By leveraging what we’ve achieved and created thus far, we’re on a trajectory to create a truly global social capital marketplace, to support a wider number of social enterprises, and to affect positive change in marginalized communities around the world.

All of us on the NESsT Team would like to thank you for your continuing support of our work as we celebrate the beginning of our second decade!

Warm wishes,

Lee Davis & Nicole Etchart

NESsT Co-Founders & CEOs