ESG Social Impact Marketplaces - Start-ups & Innovation Research
Budget: £250 – £750 GBP
*CONTEXT:
We are a Ventures studio focused on innovation and R&D within the domain of digital marketplaces (platforms which connect buyers and sellers through an online storefront). One of our key focus areas is investigating the intersection of ESG (Environment Social and Governance) initiatives and digital marketplaces to uncover key opportunities areas within this emerging space
This specific research task will focus on the “social” aspect of ESG and should dive deep into the different areas of the market to demonstrate how these social marketplace-based business models can generate value for corporations in terms of CSR initiatives, branding and awareness as well as building longer term operational resilience. We are also interested in how these projects are influencing the behaviours of key actors within this ecosystem (e.g consumers, start-ups, investors & VC funds, corporations, NGOs & social enterprises, philanthropists, national & local-led public sector projects in the UK/EU).
The research report should be created in the format of an academic research paper, and should compiled by using articles, scientific & business journals as well as a review of the key businesses and start-ups operating in the ecosystem.
**THE RESEARCH BRIEF:
The aim is to obtain a more granular outlook at mainstream and upcoming trends in social impact marketplaces, as well as how these initiatives can enhance the sustainability and resilience of organisations both through branding and through downstream operational improvements.
This added value could come directly from pure social marketplace initiatives; or could be indirectly created through externalities gained from environmental projects. Some examples might include digital marketplace innovation projects which directly or indirectly improve: (1) responsible supply chains, (2) ethical sourcing, (3) circular economy (4) responsible consumption and production, (5) sustainable industry infrastructure and innovation, (6) equitable economic growth and (7) enhancement of economic opportunities for all.
A particular focus on early-stage marketplace start-ups (seed – series A funding round) which provide human-centric solutions or improvements to the most pressing social issues faced by society will be required.
***KEY QUESTIONS:
1. Provide an overview of this technology space – what are the main problems being solved, who is most affected by them
2. What marketplace solutions currently exist in this area and what is their business model or approach to unlocking social value and solving these societal issues (e.g B2B, B2C, or otherwise)?
3. What marketplace start-ups are operating in this space? Are they emergent and innovative or is the competitive landscape becoming mainstream with many competitors?
4. Which social impact start-up opportunity areas are currently gaining traction, adoption, and scale? Which are still starting out and gaining momentum, but are still operating on the edge, and are not yet mainstream?
5. Where is investment going in this space? Who are the notable individuals, institutions or entities that are investing in some of the most innovative and impactful solutions?
6. What are some of the ongoing challenges in this area for the ecosystem? (e.g quantifying social impacts, raising awareness, competing priorities, opportunity costs, accountability, transparency, supply, and demand etc).
****NOTE: additional links are provided in the attached document
We are a Ventures studio focused on innovation and R&D within the domain of digital marketplaces (platforms which connect buyers and sellers through an online storefront). One of our key focus areas is investigating the intersection of ESG (Environment Social and Governance) initiatives and digital marketplaces to uncover key opportunities areas within this emerging space
This specific research task will focus on the “social” aspect of ESG and should dive deep into the different areas of the market to demonstrate how these social marketplace-based business models can generate value for corporations in terms of CSR initiatives, branding and awareness as well as building longer term operational resilience. We are also interested in how these projects are influencing the behaviours of key actors within this ecosystem (e.g consumers, start-ups, investors & VC funds, corporations, NGOs & social enterprises, philanthropists, national & local-led public sector projects in the UK/EU).
The research report should be created in the format of an academic research paper, and should compiled by using articles, scientific & business journals as well as a review of the key businesses and start-ups operating in the ecosystem.
**THE RESEARCH BRIEF:
The aim is to obtain a more granular outlook at mainstream and upcoming trends in social impact marketplaces, as well as how these initiatives can enhance the sustainability and resilience of organisations both through branding and through downstream operational improvements.
This added value could come directly from pure social marketplace initiatives; or could be indirectly created through externalities gained from environmental projects. Some examples might include digital marketplace innovation projects which directly or indirectly improve: (1) responsible supply chains, (2) ethical sourcing, (3) circular economy (4) responsible consumption and production, (5) sustainable industry infrastructure and innovation, (6) equitable economic growth and (7) enhancement of economic opportunities for all.
A particular focus on early-stage marketplace start-ups (seed – series A funding round) which provide human-centric solutions or improvements to the most pressing social issues faced by society will be required.
***KEY QUESTIONS:
1. Provide an overview of this technology space – what are the main problems being solved, who is most affected by them
2. What marketplace solutions currently exist in this area and what is their business model or approach to unlocking social value and solving these societal issues (e.g B2B, B2C, or otherwise)?
3. What marketplace start-ups are operating in this space? Are they emergent and innovative or is the competitive landscape becoming mainstream with many competitors?
4. Which social impact start-up opportunity areas are currently gaining traction, adoption, and scale? Which are still starting out and gaining momentum, but are still operating on the edge, and are not yet mainstream?
5. Where is investment going in this space? Who are the notable individuals, institutions or entities that are investing in some of the most innovative and impactful solutions?
6. What are some of the ongoing challenges in this area for the ecosystem? (e.g quantifying social impacts, raising awareness, competing priorities, opportunity costs, accountability, transparency, supply, and demand etc).
****NOTE: additional links are provided in the attached document
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