Ashoka
Ashoka is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 that built the world's largest network of 4,000+ social entrepreneur Fellows across 99 countries. It finances its Fellowship, ecosystem programs (E2 Network, Young Changemakers, Ashoka U, Globalizer, Next Now), and 35 country offices through donations, foundation and corporate partnerships, and a $15,000/year E2 membership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ashoka does
Ashoka is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by Bill Drayton, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, that pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship and operates the world's largest network of social innovators with 4,000+ Fellows across 99 countries supported through 35 country offices. Its core product is the Ashoka Venture and Fellowship, a rigorous selection program that elects world-class social entrepreneurs and provides them with early-stage financial support and lifetime membership into a network of peers and partners. Around this core, Ashoka has built a multi-program ecosystem: sub-brands such as the Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur Network ($15,000/year membership for impact-focused CEOs), the Ashoka Support Network, Ashoka U and Changemaker Campus (in transition), Changemaker Schools (closed to new elections since 2016), Ashoka Young Changemakers, Ashoka Globalizer, WISE, Next Now, and Changemaker Companies; proprietary methodology assets include the Fellow Election Criteria, a global operational framework ("One Global Operational Unity"), and the Changemaker Index assessment tool.
Ashoka's business model is donation- and partnership-financed rather than commercial. The organization does not accept government funding; its primary revenue streams are individual and institutional donations, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships — with named supporters including the MasterCard Foundation, LEGO Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Robert Bosch Stiftung, J.P. Morgan, McKinsey, Accenture, Boehringer Ingelheim, Philips Foundation, IKEA, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Google.org, and Forbes. The E2 Network adds a paid subscription tier for business entrepreneurs, while the distribution model operates through a hybrid of direct outreach (Fellowship applications), partner channels (universities, corporations, citizen-sector organizations), and digital self-serve platforms (website, Changemaker Index, online challenges). Customer and impact segments span individual social entrepreneurs, young changemakers, educational institutions, corporate partners, and philanthropists.
Headquartered at 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1900, Arlington, VA, Ashoka is privately held with no parent company and reports no public financials. Leadership has been continuous under founder Bill Drayton for 45+ years, supported by a global leadership group that includes Njideka U. Harry (VP, E2 Network), Michael Zakaras (Director of Ashoka US), and Perrine De le Court (Ashoka Support Network Global Leader and Director of Ashoka Belgium). The organization is structured for long-term stability through individual and institutional endowment funds, with a documented footprint across North America, Latin America, Europe, MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.
Ashoka firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ashoka
- Legal name
- Ashoka
- Website
- https://ashoka.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Ashoka is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 that built the world's largest network of 4,000+ social entrepreneur Fellows across 99 countries. It finances its Fellowship, ecosystem programs (E2 Network, Young Changemakers, Ashoka U, Globalizer, Next Now), and 35 country offices through donations, foundation and corporate partnerships, and a $15,000/year E2 membership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ashoka industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Impact Network / Social Entrepreneurship Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stakeholder, Communication & Change Management (EDABAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Change Management & Transformation Consulting (BPAHAGAC), Change Management & Transformation (Org/HR) (BPACAJAD)
Keywords
Where Ashoka is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ashoka business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Ashoka is financed by individuals, foundations and business entrepreneurs from around the world. Individual and institutional endowment funds provide for Ashoka's long-term stability. Ashoka does not accept funding from government entities.
- Foundation and Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with foundations (LEGO Foundation, MasterCard Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) and corporations (Boehringer Ingelheim, Accenture, McKinsey) for specific programs and initiatives.
- E2 Network Membership: The Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur Network charges $15,000 annual membership fee for access to a powerful global network of social entrepreneurs, co-building opportunities with world-class changemakers, and exclusive networking events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | E2 Network Annual Membership |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Ashoka product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ashoka identifies, elects, and supports world-class social entrepreneurs through its Venture and Fellowship program, providing early-stage financial support and lifetime membership into a global network of peers and strategic partners. Surrounding this core, Ashoka operates youth changemaking programs (Ashoka Young Changemakers, Youth Venture), educational institution partnerships (Ashoka U, Changemaker Campus, Changemaker Schools), connector communities (E2 Network, Ashoka Support Network), and corporate engagement initiatives (Changemaker Companies, Executive in Residence) to advance its 'Everyone a Changemaker' vision.
Product overview
Ashoka is a global nonprofit organization pioneering social entrepreneurship since 1980, operating as a platform-plus-network model with multiple interconnected programs. The core offering is the Ashoka Venture and Fellowship, which identifies and supports the world's leading social entrepreneurs. Surrounding this core are specialized sub-brands: Ashoka Changemakers and Next Now for innovation identification; the E2 Network and Ashoka Support Network for connector/investor communities; Ashoka U, Changemaker Campus, and Changemaker Schools for educational institution engagement; Ashoka Young Changemakers and Ashoka Youth Venture for youth development; and specialized programs in financial services, executive engagement, wellbeing support, legal engagement, and Africa-focused initiatives. The Changemaker Index serves as a diagnostic tool. Together, these programs create an ecosystem supporting the organization's vision of an 'Everyone a Changemaker' world.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ashoka Fellows: The world's leading social entrepreneurs who champion innovative new ideas that transform society's systems.
- Ashoka Young Changemakers
- Ashoka U
- Ashoka Changemaker Schools
- Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur Network
- Ashoka Support Network
Products and services
- Ashoka Venture and Fellowship
- Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur (E2) Network
- Ashoka Support Network (ASN)
- Ashoka Young Changemakers (AYC)
- Ashoka Youth Venture
- Ashoka U
- Ashoka Changemaker Campus
- Ashoka Changemaker Schools
- Ashoka Globalizer
- Ashoka Executive in Residence
- Changemaker Companies
- Changemaker Index
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of Ashoka Fellows create employment opportunities
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Ashoka
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ashoka technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ashoka partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LEGO FoundationcoreLEGO Foundation and Ashoka believe that playful learning can change the world. Together they identify play-based learning innovations around the world and reimagine learning for the 21st century. Partnership includes Reimagine Learning program.
- Boehringer IngelheimcoreBoehringer Ingelheim and Ashoka have partnered in promoting innovative solutions to challenging health problems since 2010. Over 5 years, supported 75 Making More Health fellows in 47 countries, launched 3 global open-source competitions finding 800+ health innovations worldwide, and engaged 10% of BI's global workforce of 45,000.
- McKinsey & CompanycoreMcKinsey creates strategic missions and conducts evaluations of social impact studies for Ashoka and for Fellows around the world. Also supports Fellows with personal consultations to help launch and scale strategy and impact.
- AccenturecoreAccenture supports initiatives improving access to employment and skills development through its 'Skills To Succeed' approach since 2012.
- ForbescoreForbes and Ashoka have a long-standing media partnership in North, Central, and Latin America. Ashoka publishes business-related stories from an Ashoka lens on its own Forbes channel, promoting Fellows and other social entrepreneurs.
- PwCminorPwC helps organizations and individuals create value through quality assurance, tax and advisory services. Partners with Ashoka on strategic initiatives.
- Latham & Watkins LLPminorProvides pro bono legal services to Ashoka Fellows, taking an active role in Ashoka communities and making public interest issues integral to their practice of law. International firm with more than 2,200 lawyers in 13 countries.
- Schwab Foundation for Social EntrepreneurshipcoreIn partnership with the World Economic Forum, Schwab Foundation is a leading global platform that accelerates outstanding models of social innovation. Works with Ashoka to scale solutions supporting millions of vulnerable and low-income people.
- Philips FoundationcorePartnership focused on Accelerating Healthcare Access, running from 2019 onwards.
- MuhammadiyahminorMajor Indonesian Islamic organization partnering with Ashoka on social innovation initiatives in Indonesia.
- LACIminorLos Angeles Cleantech Incubator partner supporting clean technology and sustainability-focused social entrepreneurs.
- T-Mobile / T-Mobile FoundationminorT-Mobile and T-Mobile Foundation partnered with Ashoka for the 2022 Changemaker Challenge, awarding winners to support youth changemaking.
- Brookings InstitutioncoreAshoka and the Brookings Institution launched the 'Valuing Homes in Black Communities' Challenge in October 2021 to address housing equity issues.
- IKEAcoreIKEA and Ashoka work together through the Dela systems change programme to find, strengthen, and scale innovative solutions for disability-inclusive society. Co-create with experts contributing to equality for people with disabilities.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ashoka competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Skoll Foundation: Direct peer operating in the same social entrepreneurship ecosystem with a comparable scale of grantmaking and a global portfolio of social entrepreneurs. Both organizations collaborate directly (Schwab Foundation/Ashoka partnership referenced) and compete for the same top-tier social entrepreneurs and foundation partners.
- Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship: Direct peer and explicit Ashoka partner that operates a parallel network of leading social entrepreneurs via the World Economic Forum. The two organizations share a Fellow base and co-create programs, making them the most functionally comparable networks globally.
- Echoing Green: Direct peer running a fellowship program that identifies and seeds early-stage social entrepreneurs, overlapping directly with Ashoka's Fellowship model. Targets a comparable pipeline of system-changing leaders globally.
- Acumen: Direct peer that supports social entrepreneurs tackling poverty through patient capital and leadership development, with global operations analogous to Ashoka's. Uses a different funding model (investment-oriented) but competes for the same social entrepreneur talent pool.
- Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation: Direct peer operating a multi-year fellowship model that selects and funds early-stage social entrepreneurs with system-changing potential. Targets a similar high-bar Fellow profile as Ashoka and operates in overlapping geographies.
- New Profit: Direct peer in venture philanthropy that backs social entrepreneurs and invests in social innovation funds, sharing Ashoka's systems-change orientation and US-centric anchor while running differently structured programs.
- Omidyar Network: Direct peer founded by eBay's Pierre Omidyar, funding social entrepreneurs and impact-oriented ventures globally. Operates at comparable scale and competes for the same philanthropic capital and social entrepreneur pipeline.
- Mulago Foundation: Direct peer backing social entrepreneurs with scalable solutions to basic needs, with a similar lean-funding-and-support model targeting system-changing innovators in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Broad incumbents
- Ford Foundation: Broader incumbent in the social impact philanthropy space with a much larger endowment and broader grantmaking portfolio. Overlaps with Ashoka as a funder of the same social entrepreneurs and as a movement-builder in systems-change work.
Emerging players
- Unreasonable Group: Emerging player running accelerators and networks for social entrepreneurs, with partial overlap to Ashoka's Fellowship/Globalizer programs but focused more on venture-stage scaling and corporate partnerships.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ashoka social profiles
Digital presenceAshoka financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ashoka leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Ashoka funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ashoka M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ashoka
What does Ashoka do?
Ashoka identifies, elects, and supports world-class social entrepreneurs through its Venture and Fellowship program, providing early-stage financial support and lifetime membership into a global network of peers and strategic partners. Surrounding this core, Ashoka operates youth changemaking programs (Ashoka Young Changemakers, Youth Venture), educational institution partnerships (Ashoka U, Changemaker Campus, Changemaker Schools), connector communities (E2 Network, Ashoka Support Network), and corporate engagement initiatives (Changemaker Companies, Executive in Residence) to advance its 'Everyone a Changemaker' vision.
Is Ashoka a public or private company?
Ashoka is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ashoka founded?
Ashoka was founded in 1980. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Ashoka based?
Ashoka is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ashoka make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Partnerships and E2 Network Membership.
Who are Ashoka's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Skoll Foundation, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Echoing Green, Acumen, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, New Profit, Omidyar Network and Mulago Foundation. Ford Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent. Unreasonable Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ashoka have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ashoka.
What industry is Ashoka in?
Ashoka's product category is Social Impact Network / Social Entrepreneurship Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAHAF, Stakeholder, Communication & Change Management, with a secondary code of BPAHAGAC, Change Management & Transformation Consulting. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.