Lanka Social Ventures (LSV) is a social enterprise with a mission to promote and support entrepreneurship and innovation for social change and environmental sustainability. It works with entrepreneurial and innovative individuals, groups, community organisations and SMEs to help them develop into successful and financially sustainable social enterprises. The organisation was established following research commissioned by Oxfam GB, which mapped social enterprises within Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, identified the key challenges they faced, and provided recommendations for donors and development agencies seeking to support the sector. With funding from Oxfam, Lanka Social Ventures was formally established in 2014 to advance its mission of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation for social and environmental impact. LSV is registered as a public company and is governed by a board of directors representing the public, private and community sectors. It operates on a not-for-profit basis, with any income generated through its commercial activities reinvested into its social mission.
From 2024, our approach has been co-creation, co-building / co-managing, shared growth or exit. In this approach, LSV investment in SMEs comes in two ways – in kind / professional inputs with commercial value and second approach is direct investment. We invest in marketing where LSV directly market and trade products with impact nationally internationally. Fo this LSV has directly engage with UK based Trading for Impact Ltd, a social enterprise registered in Scotland / UK. We focus on impact focused inclusive business models, and climate focus entrepreneurship. Plus gender and youth lens investment and capacity building.
LSV’s main activities are:
EMPOWER Impact Hub - Social Enterprise Incubator & Accelerator provides business support for start-up and early stage social enterprises and responsible SMEs. The HUB conducts social enterprise awareness programmes, Idea Labs – idea generation sessions, social enterprise masterclass programmes, boot-camps, coaching and mentoring sessions and business clinics.)
Over tthe past 10 years, LSV has served over 700 enterprises across the country through over 50 SME, social enterprises and startups; male, female, youth, disabled entrepreneurs of all ages; and community organisations and informal gorups.
LSV Enterprise Academy - The academy conducts structured learning programmes on various topics related to social enterprises, SMEs, and enterprise development policy and practices. Over the past 6 years, LSV has conducted over 150 awareness and training programmes in all 25 districts on various topics on social enterprises. LSV has developed training modules and materials in all 3 languages.
LSV Research and Consulting - Conducts policy and practice-based research on social enterprises, SMEs and other topics related to social, economic and environment, skills and training, and equality and diversity. Undertakes specific consulting services to donor agencies, corporate sector and SMEs.
LSV Trading for Impact – Trading platform for social and responsible enterprises LSV’s trading arm to support social enterprises to access international markets. A social enterprise in being incorporated in the United Kingdom to promote and market the products of Sri Lankan social enterprises in the UK and Europe.
LSV actively engaged in promoting ethical and sustainable businesses and in making SMEs and social entrepreneurs aware of consumer demands and the regulatory frameworks and the importance of adhering and maintaining standards. LSV conducts training, capacity building; research and implementation of projects which involves making farmers, cultivators and entrepreneurs understand prevailing market demands and meeting them by adhering to good manufacturing practices, improved packaging, and improving hygiene, etc. LSV is also engaged in research and consulting service, particularly in the areas of social enterprises, enterprise development services, youth employment and related sectors.