Andrew Moss

Technology excites in its promise to help transform and improve lives. Yet we observe that this promise has not always translated into reality.

Through active/experiential learning this course examines the promises—and pitfalls—of technology for impact. Together we will co-create ways to examines how entrepreneurs and practitioners harness technologies to solve key challenges, while questioning how new technologies transform or reinforce dominant paradigms. It attempts to stimulate ideas on how new technologies and innovations can be harnessed and utilized for positive social benefit while mitigating risks and minimizing unintended consequences.

 Key Areas of Exploration:

• When does a technology become emerging?
• What does social impact really mean?
• What opportunities for impact have new technologies created?
• How disruptive or revolutionary are new technologies for impact?
• What tools do we need to improve these technology-driven initiatives?
• How might we mitigate unintended consequences of new technologies?
• Assessment, measuring and ESG?
• Mapping the stakeholders?
• Adoption curves and critical mass for skills acquisition?

Using “business as a force for good”, social entrepreneurs implement innovative private sector approaches to solve social, cultural and/or environmental problems.  Surviving start-up and scaling to maximize impact is both an art and a science, especially when attempted without outside investments.  Statistics show that approximately 10% of small businesses surpass $1 million in revenues, while only 0.5% surpass $10 million.  Fundamentals of Social Entrepreneurship will draw upon the real-life successes and challenges faced by the professor and other social entrepreneurs in structuring and scaling their enterprises. Students will read several articles, watch videos and complete group projects to experience the launching and scaling of their own social enterprises.

Couples with CAP-GP.3302

As part of the core curriculum of the NYU Wagner Masters program, Capstone teams spend an academic year addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for a client organization or working on a pre-approved, team-generated project in which they develop a business case or prototype to create social impact or launch a social enterprise.

Couples with CAP-GP.3302

As part of the core curriculum of the NYU Wagner Masters program, Capstone teams spend an academic year addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for a client organization or working on a pre-approved, team-generated project in which they develop a business case or prototype to create social impact or launch a social enterprise.

Couples with CAP-GP.3302

As part of the core curriculum of the NYU Wagner Masters program, Capstone teams spend an academic year addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for a client organization or working on a pre-approved, team-generated project in which they develop a business case or prototype to create social impact or launch a social enterprise.