MSFS-633 Building Businesses at the Base of the Pyramid (BOP)

Burand, Deborah

A growing number of social enterprises are emerging to work at the base of the pyramid. These social enterprises often are intent on achieving a double or, in some cases, even a triple bottom-line (financial, social and environmental). This intentional blurring of financial and nonfinancial objectives raises opportunities and challenges for those seeking to invest in, partner with, or manage social enterprises. The goal of “Building Businesses at the Base of the Pyramid” is to introduce students to frameworks for analyzing and managing the risks and rewards of working with enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid that are intent on achieving a multiple bottom-line – financial and social.

Additionally, we will identify key challenges that social enterprises face when seeking financing that can support both financial and social objectives. We will examine the various motivations of the parties that engage in these financings and the risks that they are likely to encounter, and we will analyze various forms of deal structures (and related documentation) that can be used to finance social enterprises to ascertain the ways these risks and motivations can be addressed. We also will identify the components necessary for building an ecosystem that enables social enterprises to operate effectively at the base of the pyramid.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
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Spring '08: Burand D (description, file download)

Spring '08: Burand, Deborah and Drogula, Jennifer (description, file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

Other academic years
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• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

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