About
The growing field of social enterprise offers a unique opportunity for aspiring practitioners and young professionals to pursue a career path that positively impacts their lives and the lives of others. Gray Matters Capital (GMC) believes it’s important for industry development to develop human capital for the sector. GMC believes it is through a pipeline of experienced, knowledgeable, and innovative practitioners that socially motivated enterprises can sustain growth to better serve their clients base and create change in their local communities. From these concepts, GMC launched IDEX fellowship in 2010 to address the growing human resource gap and increase the number of entry points into the sector.
The IDEX Fellowship is a 10-month program that offers professional, cultural and social immersion into the field of social enterprise for college graduates interested in launching a career in the sector. Fellows are strategically placed to work with entrepreneurs to develop a blueprint for change.
Fellows work in enterprises span across five focus areas:
- Market Knowledge & Insights
- Strategy & Operations
- Business Development
- Innovation & Sustainability
- Impact Assessment & Analysis
About Gray Matters Capital (www.graymatterscap.com)
Gray Matters Capital (GMC) is a private operating foundation based in Atlanta GA, founded in 2006 by Bob Pattillo. The foundation, first identified a need in the marketplace to invest in the ecosystem of supporting services and businesses that could help deliver financial services to the world’s underserved with greater scale and expanded social impact. Gray Matters Capital carries our it’s mission to transform the lives of the poor by researching and co-creating initiatives with partners to build sustainable, replicable business models for the benefit of underserved populations.
Since inception GMC has invested building the social enterprise sector by supporting the development of microfinance through Sanabel in the Arab region, the development of IAMFI and other industry level networks such as GIIRS and IRIS. In 2007, the Foundation turned its focus towards improving the quality and access to education for poor families by working with Affordable Private Schools in India.
The active and engaged participation of staff and partners has propelled us to be creative and catalytic, showing others that they can create social value in this unique market of social enterprise and philanthropy.
Some of GMC’s key program components include:
- APS School Ratings System
- IDEX Fellowship in Social Enterprise
- Enterprising Schools.com
- Mission Related Investment Fund
About Gray Ghost Ventures (www.grayghostventures.com)
Gray Ghost Ventures (GGV), the for-profit affiliate of GMC, is an impact investment firm dedicated to providing market-based capital solutions to entrepreneurs who are addressing the needs of low-income communities in emerging markets. Depending upon the need and opportunity, GGV serves as creator and manager, sole funder, lead investor, co-investor,general partner or limited partner in operating companies or investment funds. GGV’s focus areas include: microfinance, social venture investment, and affordable private schools.
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