Social Enterprise

Ethan Brown '08 (CEO, Beyond Meat) is breaking new ground in the food industry by creating plant-based meat substitutes. His compassion for animals and calling to make an impact on the world's eating habits continue to propel him forward.

The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures recently completed its fifth funding cycle and selected four new early-stage ventures to add to the portfolio. Four Columbia University-affiliated teams of social entrepreneurs recently received seed grants from the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures to help them develop their early-stage ventures. In addition to funding, these entrepreneurs also gain access to the social enterprise resources the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School provides.

Teresa Law '81 shares the story of Mountain Hazelnuts — the largest hazelnut nursery in the world, which is planting 10 million trees, doubling the income of 15 percent of Bhutan’s population.

As the founder of Small Axe Peppers, John Crotty '96 works with community gardens to grow peppers, which he then turns into the Bronx Hot Sauce.

The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures recently completed its fourth funding cycle and selected four new early-stage ventures to add to the portfolio. The following Tamer Fund for Social Venture awardees were selected out of almost 100 applicants after participating in an application screening round, a due diligence process with student teams as part of a Business School course, and a final pitch to the Fund’s Investment Board:

Community Resource Exchange, helmed by Katie Leonberger ’08, provides much-needed management, leadership, and other consulting services to more than 300 social-service nonprofits in New York City.

The Pershing Square Challenge was launched in 2008 by Bill Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management LP.

The laws of supply and demand are upending the global energy supply as the world has come to know it.

The second annual Tamer Center for Social Enterprise Awards Breakfast drew more than 250 attendees and raised a record-breaking $1 million.