When talking about social entrepreneurshipMany people think that this is for NGOs or that it is synonymous with losing money.
But this situation is changing. Today, it is entirely possible to have a profitable business model while generating environmental or social impact. In this article, we show you 6 cases of social entrepreneurship Colombians who are proving with facts that you can build real and sustainable value without sacrificing your long-term income.
BigoSafe
Driven by Alexander Nievesthis social venture factory intelligent light signaling devices for motorcycles, bikes, scooters and wheelchairs. The device detects head movements to indicate turns or brakes, increasing safety on the road.
What have they achieved?
In 2022 it was nominated by WIPO as one of the 20 most innovative technologies in the world and beneficiary of the 'Sácale jugo a tu patente 3.0' program of MinCiencias. Today it exports its products to countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Venezuela.
Glasst Innovation Company
Founded by Juan Camilo Botero, this company develops biodegradable building materials that replace polluting materials.
For example, Unpaint is the world's first removable architectural paint: it peels off like a decal and leaves no residue. With this, they reduce up to 11 kg of CO₂ for every kilo of paint used.
What have they achieved?
In 2024, Glasst received P4.4 billion in Shark Tank Colombia (the highest investment in the program's history). In addition, it is already present in eight countries, including the USA.
Want to know how you can boost your sustainable business model?
Listen to EP 2. How to be Socially Entrepreneurial and Profitable:
David Ricardo Duarte, CEO of Agrapp.
Listen to the episode Hacienda San José
Created by Gabriel Jaramillo, this company produces high quality beef through silvopastoral systems and agricultural techniques that restore soils, capture carbon and improve biodiversity.
They also generate employment and education by working directly with the communities of the Orinoco territory.
What have they achieved?
In 2023, they received 30 billion pesos from the &Green fund to scale up their model to more than 180,000 hectares. This is a key step towards deforestation-free cattle ranching in Colombia.
SiembraCo
Founded by Yuly Galindo and Camilo Ramos, consists of a digital agriculture platform which allows companies to "digitally plant" and receive the harvest from farmers without intermediaries.
This strategy has made fair trade, crop traceability, resource savings and technical support possible for 2,600 farming families.
What have they achieved?
They won the Social Skin and Tech Innovator Colombia Award in 2022. In addition, they moved a total of 440 tons of food in sales to companies with a direct impact on 340 people during the same year.
COOMAGUA
Led by Olmes Alonso, this cooperative promotes the sustainable production of Amazonian fruits such as seje and açaí.
In their program, 97 farming families protect the forests while generating their own income. They combine the cultivation of traditional crops with the creation of biological corridors and the production of honey from native bees and timber trees in the Orinoco region.
What have they achieved?
They signed conservation agreements with the Ministry of the Environment, making their area the least deforested in the northwestern Amazon.
BATx
Formed by Alejandro Camargo and a team of students, this social venture performs the diagnosis, repair and lithium-ion battery recycling to extend their useful life and that they can be used in storage systems (industrial or domestic).
What have they achieved?
In 2025, it was included by Ventures EPM in its Fund II (with an additional 200 billion in investments) to drive BATx's circular economy among other ventures.
How can I design my own social enterprise?
If you are thinking of promoting a social ventureHere are some key steps:
- Sustainable value proposition: Does it solve a relevant social or environmental problem in an innovative way?
- Economic model: Does it generate consistent and profitable revenue without relying solely on grants or subsidies?
- Measurable impact: Do you have clear indicators to measure your impact on aspects such as ecological footprint or social and community benefits?
- Responsible value chain: Do you integrate ESG criteria in your processes, suppliers and distribution?
- Community participation: Does it involve the beneficiary communities in its operation or decision making?
- Scalability: Does it have the potential to grow without compromising its sustainable purpose?
- Resilience: Is it able to adapt to economic, social or environmental changes?
These 6 cases of social entrepreneurship Colombians demonstrate that it is possible to take care of the planet and generate income.