Social business is a growing phenomenon in the emerging economy due to its appeal toward reducing social problems from the society. Women’s, especially rural women’s, economic activities are mainly confined to the household chores because of the existing patriarchal norms of the society. Social businesses, through providing equity funds, are creating opportunities for the women to pursue entrepreneurial career. This study attempted to analyze the role of social business for developing women entrepreneurship. Primary data were collected from 28 women Nobin Udyokta (new entrepreneurs) and four key informant interviews. The study showed that social business fund plays an important role toward women entrepreneurship development through providing financial (social business fund), human (formal or informal training), and social capital (network) to the women entrepreneurs which is necessary for sustainable entrepreneurship development. Therefore, government and non-government organizations as well as private sectors were suggested to come forward to provide more social business funds and build supportive environment for the women entrepreneurs.

Promoting entrepreneurship among the youth and women is an emerging global trend for inclusive sustainable development. This study aims to unlock the potential of social business investments in microenterprises for turning unemployment into entrepreneurship and scaling up business growth. According to Prof Yunus, "social business is selfless business to solve social problems" based on seven principles. The study has selected 264 enterprises of Nobin Udyokta (NU) meaning new entrepreneurs under Nobin Udyokta Project (NUP) of Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT). NUs and GTT have co-investments under equity participation for at least one or more than 1 year. NUs are basically emerging micro entrepreneurs, who are often disproportionately burdened with multi-dimensions of poverty and lack of working capital, which inhibits business growth. Findings of regression analysis show that social business fund can significantly influence the growth of NU enterprises and increased investment can also create more employments. Therefore, this study is having value to the promoter, advocates, investors in social enterprises, and policy makers seeking strategy for reducing poverty and unemployment through entrepreneurship for sustainable development leaving no one behind.

A social business fund is a novel financial instrument that can assist micro-entrepreneurs. Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of microcredit on the income, expenses, health, and living standards of entrepreneurs. In this study, we expand on previous research by analyzing a novel financial instrument called social business funds. Specifically, this study investigated the impact of social business funds on micro-entrepreneurs’ income. Primary data were collected from the young micro-entrepreneurs. The Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique was used to assess the impact of social business funds on the livelihood of entrepreneurs in terms of income and expenditure. Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) was also used to assess the opinion of the micro-entrepreneurs on the increase in their entrepreneurial income. The results showed that the social business fund significantly impacted entrepreneurs’ incomes. Along with funds, some entrepreneurial training and support services were recommended. Government and non-government organizations are advised to take appropriate policy initiatives.

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Purpose of the study: The objective of the study was to investigate scaling up strategies of social business projects in order to create sustainable livelihood among the beneficiaries. Methodology: Qualitative research design was found suitable for this study. A case study method was applied through pursuing face-to-face interviews. Seven social business learning and innovation (SBLIF) projects of Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) have been selected purposively for the analysis. Main Findings: Findings get evidence of organic growth, collaboration, and dissemination strategies to create impact over sustainable living. Through organic growth, social businesses were generating employment opportunities for communities’ people and enhancing their livelihoods. Collaboration with GTT provided social businesses with access to financial and network resources which helped them to serve disadvantaged, rural, endogenous, and climate-vulnerable people. Disseminations of livelihood strategies helped producers and inhabitants to achieve sustainability in many areas. Social Implications/Applications: Social business, a social purpose-driven business, is attracting worldwide attention for its impact on sustainable living through reducing poverty, inequality, unemployment, and negative environmental impacts. But to create more impact on sustainable livelihood, scaling up the social business organization itself is mandatory. This study could be a guide for social business entrepreneurs and policymakers to advance sustainable livelihoods. Originality/Novelty of the Study: Most of the research uses the term social business as a wider concept which mostly relies on philanthropic-funds. This study focuses on a unique type of social business organizations who are not expected to rely on such philanthropic-funds rather have to cover operating costs which make these businesses a new kind of learning for all social entrepreneurs.