Ashoka

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.

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

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

• Social entrepreneurship network
• Social impact programs
• Changemaker development
• Nonprofit fellowship services
• Youth innovation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LEGO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEGO 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 IngelheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoehringer 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 & CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMcKinsey 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.
• AccenturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccenture supports initiatives improving access to employment and skills development through its 'Skills To Succeed' approach since 2012.
• ForbescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerForbes 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.
• PwCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPwC helps organizations and individuals create value through quality assurance, tax and advisory services. Partners with Ashoka on strategic initiatives.
• Latham & Watkins LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides 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 EntrepreneurshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 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 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on Accelerating Healthcare Access, running from 2019 onwards.
• MuhammadiyahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Indonesian Islamic organization partnering with Ashoka on social innovation initiatives in Indonesia.
• LACIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles Cleantech Incubator partner supporting clean technology and sustainability-focused social entrepreneurs.
• T-Mobile / T-Mobile FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerT-Mobile and T-Mobile Foundation partnered with Ashoka for the 2022 Changemaker Challenge, awarding winners to support youth changemaking.
• Brookings InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshoka and the Brookings Institution launched the 'Valuing Homes in Black Communities' Challenge in October 2021 to address housing equity issues.
• IKEAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIKEA 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/ashoka
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ashoka
• Instagraminstagram.com/ashokaglobal/?hl=en
• Xx.com/ashoka
• Facebookfacebook.com/AshokaOrg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ashoka