We believe that the most powerful force for change is a new idea in the hands of a social entrepreneur. Time and again we’ve seen these extraordinary changemakers and their teams move mountains. They see the world not as it is, but as it should be. And they build the pathways to get us there.
Ashoka accompanies them along their lifelong journey, offering catalytic investments, strategic guidance, meaningful connections, and an unmatched peer community. We also learn from the insights and patterns across the network and use them to guide our own strategic direction.
Our vision is of a world where all of us play a role, no matter how big or small, in solving problems for the good of all. We call this an Everyone A Changemaker world. And with guidance from our Ashoka Fellows, we’re working to make this vision a reality.
Our Team
How we got started in the United States
Ashoka started searching for social entrepreneurs in our first country, India, in 1981. Nearly 20 years later, Texas entrepreneur Ron “R.J.” Jensen learned of our guiding values and high-leverage approach and reached out right away to explore funding a U.S. launch. We are every day grateful for the Jensen family’s founding investment that has given rise to an entire ecosystem of support for emerging ideas and social entrepreneurs across the country.
Remembering RJ Jensen: A Tribute from the Ashoka Community
from Cory Wilson on Vimeo.