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Social Entrepreneurship
Solving social problems through entrepreneurship – that is the goal of social entrepreneurship. It is characterized by the fact that for these companies, profit is secondary to social or ecological goals. In addition to their external social/ecological objectives, these companies are also characterized by an internal organizational structure in which profits are reinvested and employees are closely involved in decision-making. In the state of Bremen, for example, social enterprises improve the opportunities for children from disadvantaged neighborhoods, accompany young people into the world of work, and rehabilitate offenders. They are working on a solidarity-based energy transition, developing alternatives for independent quality journalism and sustainable tourism; their business is dealing openly with depression and mental illness. In addition to social added value, such social innovations also have financial potential worth billions. This is confirmed by a 2019 study by McKinsey and Ashoka.
For this “supreme discipline of economic activity,” the state of Bremen offers not only the special support of Starthaus and the Bremen economic development agency (WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH), but also a broad network of committed players such as Social Impact Bremen, Hilfswerft, Visionskultur, and Werk in Bremerhaven. The SEND regional group Bremen/Bremerhaven consists of active social entrepreneurs and meta-actors. It aims to strengthen the ecosystem for social entrepreneurship and sustainable business in the state of Bremen.
From idea to founding
Starthaus Bremen and Bremerhaven is the first point of contact for anyone interested in starting a business in the state of Bremen. Together with Social Impact Bremen, it offers consulting, coaching, and events for impact-oriented start-ups in the “Social Entrepreneur by Starthaus” program. Starthaus also provides support on the topic of financing, including with the crowdfunding program “Social Mission Possible.”
The Creative Hub is another place in Bremen where projects, founders, and young start-ups in particular can find space to network and receive advice.
Strengthening existing companies that serve the common good
The local economic development agencies WFB (Bremen) and BIS (Bremerhaven) promote and strengthen social entrepreneurship in both cities and support existing social enterprises.For example, WFB offers relocation advice for social enterprises that are not yet based in Bremen, as well as various services such as workshops, events, and a competition for existing companies. Further information
Cooperatives as a special form of enterprise
A cooperative is a special type of company characterized by a high degree of co-determination. Cooperative business has a long tradition in the Hanseatic city of Bremen. The website www.bremer-genossenschaften.de of the Central Association of German Consumer Cooperatives (Zentralverband deutscher Konsumgenossenschaften e.V.) provides an insight into the current cooperative landscape in Bremen.
Anyone interested in founding a cooperative can find practical information on the modern structure of this legal form at Initiative Genossenschaften digital – from digital membership processes to hybrid general meetings. In northwestern Germany, the Weser-Ems Cooperative Association supports cooperatives as an auditing and consulting association – here, the cooperative idea is explicitly promoted as part of the regional economic culture.
This combination of historical roots, democratic structure, and modern development makes cooperatives a particularly suitable organizational model for social entrepreneurship and public welfare-oriented business.
Federal platform
On the platform for social innovation and public welfare-oriented companies, the federal government provides information on current developments in this area, including a funding finder, impact tools, and a nationwide event calendar.
Further information
