Announcing the next chapter for StartSomeGood
Dear friends, partners, members, participants….
We have some very big news to share.
StartSomeGood has been acquired.
Almost 14 years after Alex and I started this journey, and12 years after Alex departed and I was joined by my brilliant co-founder and CTO Renata, we are excited to announce this next chapter. We believe this new ownership will give StartSomeGood the best platform to continue to grow its impact and community and we are excited to see the future development of the company and its offerings to support emerging social entrepreneurs.
I will be staying involved as Entrepreneur in Resident, continuing to host many of our founder programs and support the emerging enterprises in our community. Renata will be moving to focus full-time on the new impact investment platform we have co-founded, LendForGood, which will also be my primary focus going forward.
There will be more to share as I reflect on this epic journey and what I’ve learned along the way, but for now we want to get this news out there and introduce you to our new owner Piers Grove and General Manager Caity Touzell.
So this is not a goodbye but a hello. Not about giving up but about preparing for the next level of impact, with the right people and capabilities to take the social entrepreneurship movement to the next level.
And it’s about saying thank you. Thank you to all the incredible people who were part of our progress and impact over the past 14 years. We have been blessed with great collaborators, investors and partners. There are too many of you to name here, but you know who you are, and hopefully what you mean to us. We wouldn’t be here without you.
To our current partners, this change of ownership just means we will be able to serve you and the changemakers you care about more effectively, with some exciting new products to help with the launch and growth of social enterprises coming soon. I look forward to continuing to make impact and inspire change with you.
Onwards!
Sincerely,
Tom
Co-founder and CEO (until today), StartSomeGood
On behalf of Renata, Alex and the whole StartSomeGood team
Below is the press release that was sent out this morning:
StartSomeGood Announces New Ownership to Amplify Global Social Entrepreneurship Supports
Sydney, Australia — StartSomeGood, a pioneering platform dedicated to empowering social entrepreneurs worldwide, is thrilled to announce a significant new chapter in its mission to foster social enterprises that shape a better future. General Good, an organisation committed to social innovation, has acquired StartSomeGood. This strategic move, which combines StartSomeGood with circular economy accelerator Boomerang Labs under the management of General Good, promises to enhance the support and resources available to changemakers globally and continues StartSomeGood’s commitment to building the social entrepreneurship movement.
Tom Dawkins, the visionary CEO who founded StartSomeGood 13 years ago, has welcomed this change, expressing his confidence in General Good’s ability to honour and expand upon the legacy he and his team have meticulously built. “It’s been an extraordinary journey to witness the incredible initiatives that our community has launched over the years. I’m excited to see General Good propel StartSomeGood to new heights, maintaining our core mission of supporting emerging social entrepreneurs while infusing new energy, resources and perspectives,” Dawkins stated.
Co-founder and CTO Renata van Diest echoed her excitement about the new direction: “I’m very proud of what we have created and impressed by General Good’s vision to build upon this foundation and grow StartSomeGood’s impact.”
Piers Grove, the founder of General Good, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to social change. He also holds the position of Chair of EnergyLab and Executive Director of Boomerang Labs — both accelerators supporting sustainable innovation and enterprises.
Under his leadership, General Good is set to enhance the legacy of StartSomeGood, building on the foundation laid by Tom, Renata and their team. “I have long admired the work StartSomeGood has done in the social entrepreneurship space. It is a privilege to continue and expand upon this remarkable legacy. Together, we will strive to create even more avenues for changemakers to bring their visions to life,” said Grove.
In this new phase, Tom Dawkins will remain an integral part of the StartSomeGood team, ensuring continuity and the infusion of his invaluable experience and insights as Entrepreneur in Resident. Furthermore, StartSomeGood is delighted to welcome Caitlyn Touzell as the new General Manager. With her passion for social change and expertise in driving initiatives with impact, Caitlyn is poised to make a significant contribution to the organisation.
StartSomeGood remains dedicated to its purpose of increasing the pace of innovation for good by making it easier for anyone, anywhere, to StartSomeGood. With a mission to provide emerging changemakers with the necessary tools, education, coaching, and support, StartSomeGood is more equipped than ever to realise its vision of a world where every person has access to the resources to make a difference, and where community-led social change can flourish.
As StartSomeGood embarks on this exciting new journey under the stewardship of General Good, it invites its community of supporters, social entrepreneurs, and partners to join in the continued mission to empower and inspire change for a better world.
About StartSomeGood:
StartSomeGood is a leading platform in the field of social entrepreneurship, dedicated to supporting changemakers worldwide to bring their bright ideas to life and achieve real impact. Through a comprehensive suite of tools, education, and support, StartSomeGood empowers individuals and communities to innovate for the greater good, fostering a global movement of positive change.
StartSomeGood will continue to work with partners across foundations, corporates and government to unearth, skill-up and launch social impact projects, including existing partners ING, City of Parramatta and Illuminate Education Tasmania, along with some exciting new programs in development.
Contact:
Caitlyn Touzell
StartSomeGood
caitlyn@startsomegood.com
+61 435 402 522
www.startsomegood.com
