A Deeper Dive at SOCAP10: Previewing the Content Tracks

The annual Social Capital Markets conference takes on the ambitious task of bringing together a sector that exists in many different variants in an array of industries. This year, they're trying to help people find their place in the conference by organizing content into expert-curated thematic tracks ranging from Tactical Philanthropy to Food Systems.

This approach is another piece of evidence for the argument I made in a post yesterday, which is that "social entrepreneurship" is maturing as a series of related by distinct industry and field verticals. Although not all of the SoCap tracks are industries as they're normally defined, they're all coherent fields with their own best practices, experts and knowledge systems that successful entrepreneurs within those fields must know to thrive.

Track: Tactical Philanthropy
Curated by: Sean Stannard-Stockton
Overview: This track is meant to recognize the important place of nonprofits and philanthropic capital in the larger social change marketplace. The content will revolve around topics like "Decriminalizing Fundraising" and going beyond metrics in assessing the success of nonprofits. Speakers will include notables like "Uncharitable" author Dan Pallotta and the CEO of Charity Navigator, Ken Berger.

Track: Mobile Technology
Curated by: Alison Bloch, mHealth Alliance
Overview: The track explores the implications and opportunities created by the massive explosion in connection via mobile devices around the developing world. The track will profile some of the existing leaders in the space, as well as identify emerging investment opportunities for the interested. Speakers include representatives from design firms like IDEO and frog design, as well as leading mobile startups like Ushahidi.

Track: Food Systems
Curated by: Melanie Cheng, OM Organics
Overview: One of the most active industries related to social entrepreneurship is the food space, which itself includes companies and organizations trying to create more equitable international trade, improve local food systems, and shift the way food is grown. The specific topics in this track will range from "regional food systems" to "building fair trade markets," and the speakers will include representatives from the USDA, AlterEco and more.

Track: Innovation in International Development
Curated by: David Hodgson, Ideahive
Overview: This track explores how the field of international development is changing, with a specific focus on uncovering the implications of a growing middle class in much of the developing world and figuring out which industries and opportunities are best suited to helping the poorest of the poor. Speakers will include representatives of groups like Mercy Corps and Dalberg.

Track: New Money
Curated by: SOCAP
Overview: A track devoted entirely to the new organizations, companies, and commons that are bringing new capital to the social change space, this track will feature conversations about incubator programs, energy financing, and a gender lens on capital. Speakers will include representatives from the Unreasonable Institute, Presumed Abundance, and more.

Track: Impact Investing
Curated by: Good Capital
Overview: The question of this track is how to best direct the capital already allocated for social good, and how to unlock the billions more that might be available in the future. Specific topics covered will include converting traditional market investors to the social space, innovation in education financing platforms, and more, and speakers will include numerous formal and informal investment bodies.

Track: Metrics and System Thinking
Curated by: SOCAP
Overview: One of the key questions for this field is how to effectively demonstrate impact, or social return on investment. This conversation will explore the various strategies being improyed to measure social as well as financial impact. It will features speakers like the Mulago Foundation's Kevin Starr and representatives from B Corp.

Photo credit: SOCAP