Global Action Platform

What Global Action Platform does

Global Action Platform is a private nonprofit organization headquartered at Belmont University's Massey School of Business in Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 2012 by Dr. Scott T. Massey, who serves as Founding Chairman and CEO. The organization operates as a neutral cross-sector convener rather than a commercial enterprise, functioning as the leading university-business alliance advancing scalable solutions for abundant food, health, and prosperity. It mobilizes leadership networks across corporate, university, investment, government, and NGO sectors through four program pillars: Convene (mobilize networks), Challenge (impact investments), Connect (technology for research cluster development), and Communicate (reports and global knowledge dissemination).

Its product surface is event- and program-centric rather than software-centric. Flagship offerings include the annual Global Action Summit (featuring speakers such as Ban Ki-moon and Fareed Zakaria), the Global Shared Value Award co-presented with KPMG, the Young American Leaders Program in partnership with Harvard Business School, the Tennessee University-Business Showcase for regional innovation ecosystem development, the Microeconomics of Competitiveness Global Network (affiliated with Michael Porter's Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness), and Global Action Reports distributed via Diplomatic Courier to 25,000 world leaders. Living laboratory projects include The Caraga Initiative in the Philippines (1.2M acres across 21 indigenous tribes, partnered with Indigenous People's Economic Union, Indigi PTE, GPSS LLC, and Rotary International) and the Porter Development Initiative. Regional programs also include the Tennessee University Presidents Council, Tennessee Tech Transfer and Economic Development Council, Healthier757, Literacy and Language Institute, and Social Impact Marketplace.

There is no commercial pricing model; the organization's revenue mechanics consist of philanthropic donations (including PayPal contributions on the website), summit/event registration fees, and corporate sponsorships. Named supporters include HCA Healthcare Foundation, Vanderbilt University, KPMG, Mastercard, Belmont University, and Ingram Industries. The organization maintains strategic partnerships with United Nations, World Bank, Rockefeller Foundation / 100 Resilient Cities, Biocrossroads, and the World Agriculture Forum (where Dr. Massey sits on the founding council). Headcount is reported as 1-10 employees, with operations supported by a strategic advisory bench drawn from Harvard Business School, Vanderbilt, UC Davis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Diplomatic Courier.

Name

Global Action Platform

Legal name

Global Action Platform

Website

https://globalactionplatform.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Action Platform is a Nashville-based nonprofit founded in 2012 that convenes corporate, university, investment, government, and NGO leaders through its Global Action Summit, Harvard-affiliated leadership programs, annual reports, and Living Laboratory projects such as the Caraga Initiative in the Philippines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Development Convening and Collaboration Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health Systems Strengthening & Global Health Technical Assistance (BPADAEAH)

Keywords

• Sustainable development collaboration
• Cross-sector convening
• University business alliance
• Cluster development services
• Impact leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: The organization accepts donations through its website, including PayPal contributions for initiatives like the Caraga Initiative.
2. Summit and Event Participation: Revenue generated through summit registrations and event participation fees for the Global Action Summit and related leadership forums.
3. Partnership and Program Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from organizations like KPMG (Global Shared Value Award), HCA Healthcare Foundation, Vanderbilt University, and other alliance members support programs including the Young American Leaders Program.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Global Action Platform is a nonprofit convening and knowledge-sharing platform that mobilizes cross-sector leadership networks (corporate, university, investment, government, NGO) to develop scalable, sustainable solutions for abundant food, health, and prosperity. It delivers this mission through flagship summits, leadership and fellowship programs, region-specific cluster development initiatives (notably in Middle Tennessee and the Philippines), an annual Global Action Report knowledge series, and the Global Shared Value Award. The platform operates Living Laboratories and applies Michael Porter's cluster development methodology via Harvard Business School affiliation to test and implement sustainable development models.

Product overview

Global Action Platform operates as a collaborative nonprofit innovation hub implementing its mission through multiple interconnected program areas: Convene (mobilizing leadership networks), Challenge (investing in businesses with social impact), Connect (leveraging technology for research cluster development), and Communicate (sharing findings globally). The platform offers the Global Action Summit as its flagship annual event, the Global Fellows Program for young leaders, the Global Shared Value Award presented with KPMG, and annual Global Action Reports. Regional initiatives include the Tennessee University Presidents Council, Tennessee University-Business Showcase, and Young American Leaders Program (in partnership with Harvard Business School). Living laboratories such as The Caraga Initiative in the Philippines and Porter Development Initiative provide hands-on development models. Additional programs include Global Leadership Forums, Social Impact Marketplace, Literacy and Language Institute, Healthier757, and Tennessee Corporate Sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Caraga Initiative: A comprehensive economic development initiative for sustainable market-based economy in the Caraga region of the Philippines, targeting indigenous people's economic empowerment.
• Young American Leaders Program (YALP)
• Tennessee University-Business Showcase
• Global Shared Value Award
• Global Leadership Forums

Products and services

• Global Action Summit The preeminent annual Summit for abundant food, health, and prosperity, convening global thought leaders, corporate executives, investors, university leaders, NGO executives, and government officials such as Ban Ki-moon and Fareed Zakaria. Includes keynote addresses, Global Shared Value Award presentations, and UN Sustainable Development Goals-aligned programming.
• Global Fellows Program An educational leadership experience enabling outstanding young people to participate in life-changing programs focused on advancing scalable solutions for food, health, and prosperity through Global Action Summit engagement.
• Global Shared Value Award The only global award recognizing achievement in shared value strategy and encouraging corporations to address grand challenges through shared value business strategy. Co-presented with KPMG.
• Global Action Reports A growing knowledge base including findings, model solutions, and recommendations for action relevant to creating scalable, sustainable solutions for abundant food, health, and prosperity. Distributed through Diplomatic Courier to world leaders and republished in G7, G20, and APEC Summit materials.
• Microeconomics of Competitiveness Global Network A global network applying cluster development to increase competitiveness and shared prosperity, operating as the regional affiliate of the Institute for Strategy and Competitivities at Harvard Business School.
• Porter Development Initiative (PDI) Leaders Academy A leadership development academy advancing competitiveness and shared prosperity through leadership for place-based cluster accelerators. Part of the Globally Competitive Innovation Hubs initiative.
• Tennessee University Presidents Council A council convening Tennessee's university presidents to envision a future where Tennessee's universities play a central role in driving regional and statewide economic innovation and competitiveness.
• Tennessee Tech Transfer and Economic Development Council A council connecting research, business, and capital for Tennessee prosperity by linking university innovation with investment and commercial opportunities through structured tech-transfer pathways.
• Tennessee University-Business Showcase A collective impact initiative connecting leading regional universities, Launch Tennessee, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and over fifty local investors and business leaders to build the innovation ecosystem of Middle Tennessee.
• Young American Leaders Program - Nashville A program preparing emerging leaders to build shared prosperity and economic growth in collaboration with Harvard Business School; ten-person teams from participating cities attend intensive case study workshops on urban and rural regional collaborations.
• Global Leadership Forums Dynamic, curated events customized with partners to highlight critical issues and launch major initiatives, held at the United Nations, World Bank, National Press Club, and other locations, engaging business leaders, investors, university, government, and NGO leaders.
• The Caraga Initiative A Living Laboratory for Rural Solutions in the Philippines, designing a comprehensive economic development initiative to launch a sustainable market-based economy benefiting indigenous people through sustainable global businesses including large-scale agricultural projects. Initial focus on 1.2 million acres in the Caraga region with potential scale to 10 million acres across 21 tribes.
• Social Impact Marketplace A collaboration platform connecting responsible companies, changemakers, nonprofits, and leaders to create a more equitable, healthy, and prosperous world through shared value collaboration.
• Literacy and Language Institute A program focused on early literacy at a global scale, working to advance educational outcomes through language and learning initiatives.
• Healthier757 A regional program advancing health and prosperity at a regional scale through cross-sector collaboration and shared value strategies in the 757 region (Hampton Roads, Virginia).
• Tennessee Corporate Sustainability A survey research program of Tennessee's largest corporations documenting their goals and investments in sustainability to report major sustainability initiatives across the state.

Quantifiable outcome

• Middle Tennessee capital funds increased 141% from $149M to $360M between 2012-2016 through ecosystem development efforts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• World Agriculture ForummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Global Action Platform joined as founding member to advance global agriculture agendas. Dr. Scott Massey serves on the Forum's council. Mission aligned with GAP's work on sustainable food systems.
• BiocrossroadsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2023Indiana's bio cluster model providing inspiration and framework for Tennessee bio hub strategy development. Over 20 years, raised over $450M, tripled university research funding, and created 25% of new state jobs.
• Rotary International / Rotary ClubscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2020Rotary Club of Jefferson City West and Rotary Club of Butuan (Philippines) partnered with Global Action Platform for social and economic development in the Philippines, deploying the largest Rotary grant in Philippine history for training 30,000 indigenous people.
• Rockefeller Foundation / 100 Resilient CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2017Hosted inaugural Nashville resilient city planning session with Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities coordinator, in coordination with Office of Mayor Megan Barry.
• Launch TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership for Tennessee University-Business Showcase, including student pitch competitions and collaboration on innovation ecosystem development in Middle Tennessee.
• Indigenous People's Economic Union (IPEU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2015Exclusive partnership for The Caraga Initiative, a comprehensive economic development project launching sustainable market-based economy in indigenous region of Philippines. Initial launch for 1.2 million acres with potential for 10M acres across 21 tribes.
• KPMGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPMG co-presents the Global Shared Value Award with Global Action Platform, recognizing corporations achieving excellence in shared value strategy for sustainable development.
• MastercardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMastercard is a Global Shared Value Award recipient, with mission to deploy technology and expertise for safe, simple, smart payments in pursuit of 'world beyond cash'.
• Harvard Business School / Institute for Strategy and CompetitivenesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Action Platform is the regional affiliate of Porter's Institute at Harvard Business School. Partnership includes Young American Leaders Program, Microeconomics of Competitiveness network, and Porter Development Initiative.
• Oak Ridge Associated UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Tennessee University-Business Showcase, connecting regional research capacities with investment and business communities.
• Vanderbilt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey university partner in Tennessee University Presidents Council, Young American Leaders Program, and bio cluster development initiatives. Dr. Jeffrey Balser serves as Strategic Health Advisor.
• Belmont UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Global Action Platform headquarters. Partner in Tennessee University Presidents Council and regional innovation initiatives.
• Indigi PTEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial partner with Global Action Platform for The Caraga Initiative, working to create new global standards for comprehensive economic/environmental/social development benefiting indigenous people.
• GPSS, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Partnership for Sustainable Solutions leads comprehensive rural development projects including the Caraga Initiative, integrating social and financial capital development.
• Christensen Institute, Harvard Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Clayton Christensen and Efosa Ojomo to create civic leadership workshops based on 'The Prosperity Paradox' for tribal leaders in the Philippines development program.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Action Platform aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hosts leadership forums at UN headquarters. UN officials participate in Global Action Summits.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Global Action Leadership Forum at World Bank. Collaboration on scalable, sustainable solutions for abundant food, health, and prosperity (SDGs 1-3).
• Diplomatic CouriercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for distribution of Global Action Reports to 25,000 world leaders; co-publication of summit presentations; annual commemorative publications for G8, G20, and APEC Summits.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GapAction
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgIQoRAqaAn8Umo-WeyzIbA/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/globalactionsummit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-action-platform

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Global Action Platform