The research note presents an overview of the evolving social enterprise ecosystem across South Asia, encompassing eight countries: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldives. It explores the rise of social entrepreneurship and analyzes current market dynamics through real-world examples of enterprises fostering social innovation and inclusive growth. The note emphasizes the pivotal role social enterprises play in addressing inequality and market inefficiencies. It also examines the influence of philanthropy and impact investment in shaping the sector, while highlighting regulatory gaps that hinder further progress.
Following the success of their tech-enabled capsule hotel business in Indonesia, Bobobox founders Indra Gunawan and Antonius Bong seized the opportunity created by a dramatic shift in travel preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. They developed a second accommodation product: vacation cabins. The rapid traction of the cabins put them at a crossroads. With limited resources as a startup, should they focus on the standardized, more scalable sleeping pod business—or the upscale, high-margin cabin business?
In 2024, the AI biotech firm Insilico Medicine faced a pivotal decision about its new drug, Rentosertib. Discovered and designed using artificial intelligence to treat a lung disease, Rentosertib had successfully advanced to Phase II trials — a first in global pharmaceutical history. Insilico could license the drug, consistent with its low-risk, revenue-generating model, or continue internal development to validate its full-stack AI capabilities. The decision would shape not only the future of Rentosertib, but also how Insilico balanced risk and ambition in deploying its AI tools—defining its identity as either a bold full-stack clinical innovator or a disciplined pioneer in early-stage discovery.
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