The Social Outcomes Lab
The Social Outcomes Lab is an Australian social impact consulting firm that delivers economic analysis, program evaluation, outcomes framework design, and human-centred design services to NSW/ACT government agencies, NGOs, and social enterprises, supplemented by a tiered training program and the Her Kitchen Table social enterprise.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersAustralian Capital Territory, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Social Outcomes Lab does
The Social Outcomes Lab (SouLab) is an Australian for-purpose social impact consulting firm founded in 2015 by Nazia Ahmed and headquartered in Canberra, ACT. The firm operates a two-arm model combining economic and management consulting services with an Action Lab that designs and tests new social change initiatives using a structured try-test-learn methodology. Its service offering spans economic analysis and modelling, program evaluation, social impact assessment, outcomes framework development, social enterprise design, human-centred design consultations, and implementation support, delivered primarily to NSW and ACT government agencies alongside NGOs and social enterprises.
The business runs three revenue streams: fee-for-service consulting engagements with public-sector and nonprofit clients, a tiered training program (priced at $300 to $3,000+ per participant across three NGO capability levels), and a social enterprise called Her Kitchen Table launched in 2021. The firm augments a small core team of roughly ten with a network of specialist consultants, and has built a parallel ecosystem through the SOULAB Community, the Social Innovation Network, and the SICON conference series (hosted in 2020 and 2023 with ACT Treasury as partner). Underlying delivery relies on economics, data analytics, actuarial techniques, and human-centred design rather than any proprietary technology platform.
The company is bootstrapped, with no disclosed external funding rounds, and remains founder-led after nine years of operation. The competitive positioning emphasises cross-sector experience, a multidisciplinary team that combines senior economic expertise with frontline human services practitioners, and deep relationships with multiple NSW government departments and ACT Treasury. Geographic activity is concentrated in NSW and ACT, with stated ambition to operate Australia-wide.
The Social Outcomes Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Social Outcomes Lab
- Legal name
- The Social Outcomes Lab Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://thesocialoutcomeslab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Social Outcomes Lab is an Australian social impact consulting firm that delivers economic analysis, program evaluation, outcomes framework design, and human-centred design services to NSW/ACT government agencies, NGOs, and social enterprises, supplemented by a tiered training program and the Her Kitchen Table social enterprise.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Social Outcomes Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Impact Consulting
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Economic Evaluation & Health Technology Assessment (Public Programs) (HLAJANAL)
Keywords
Where The Social Outcomes Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Australian Capital Territory
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Social Outcomes Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Economic and Management Consulting: Fee-for-service consulting engagements with government agencies, NGOs, and social enterprises for services including economic analysis, program evaluation, social impact assessment, strategy and policy design, outcomes frameworks, and implementation support. Revenue is project-based and likely varies by scope and client.
- NGO Social Impact Assessment Training: Three-tiered training program for NGOs on social impact measurement. Basic training at $300 per person (online, 2 hours, up to 15 people); Intermediate training at $3,000 per person (face-to-face in Canberra, 6 weeks, 3 x 2 hours, up to 5 people); Advanced training pricing not publicly disclosed. Revenue per participant per program.
- Social Enterprise — Her Kitchen Table: The Ashmont Community Lounge and Grocery store (community-owned and operated) and Her Kitchen Table social enterprise providing economic opportunity to migrant and refugee women, launched live in 2021. SouLab designed and piloted these enterprises, generating revenue through social enterprise operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Basic Training (Social Impact Assessment for NGOs 101) — online, 2 hours, up to 15 people |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Intermediate Training — face-to-face in Canberra, 6 weeks, 3 x 2 hours, up to 5 people |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Advanced Training — data collection instruments and validated tools development |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Social Outcomes Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Social Outcomes Lab (SouLab) is a for-purpose social impact consulting firm that sells two arms of services: (1) economic and management consulting including economic analysis and modelling, program evaluation, social impact assessment, social enterprise design and implementation, strategy and policy design, outcomes framework development, and human-centred design consultations; and (2) the Action Lab, a structured try-test-learn methodology that designs, pilots, and measures new social change initiatives. Supporting paid offerings include a three-tier NGO Social Impact Assessment Training program and the SICON annual social innovation conference.
Product overview
The Social Outcomes Lab is a for-purpose social impact consulting firm offering a suite of services across two primary arms: Economics and Management Consulting, and the Action Lab. The Economics arm provides specialist consulting including economic analysis, program evaluation, social enterprise support, strategy and policy design, outcomes measurement, human-centred design, and implementation support. The Action Lab focuses on designing, implementing and testing social change initiatives. Supporting these core offerings, SouLab provides NGO Social Impact Assessment Training (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced modules) and operates SICON, an annual Social Innovation Conference. The company also has a social enterprise called Her Kitchen Table, which provides economic opportunities for migrant and refugee women.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Her Kitchen Table: A social enterprise that provides economic opportunity to migrant and refugee women and promotes social cohesion in the Canberra community. It was designed through SouLab's action lab and has been live since 2021.
Products and services
- Social Impact Consulting Services Economic and management consulting services for the health and human services sectors, covering economic analysis and modelling, program evaluation, social impact assessment, social enterprise design and support, strategy and policy design, outcomes framework development, human-centred design consultations, and operations/implementation support. Sold to Australian government agencies and NGOs on a fee-for-service basis.
- Action Lab A social innovation lab that designs, implements and tests social change initiatives through a structured try-test-learn methodology, working with communities, NGOs and government stakeholders to unpack social issues, prototype solutions, and measure outcomes.
- NGO Social Impact Assessment Training Three-module training package for NGOs on social impact measurement: Basic Training (online, 2 hours, up to 15 people, $300/person — Theory of Change development); Intermediate Training (face-to-face in Canberra, 6 weeks, 3 x 2 hours, up to 5 people, $3,000/person — Outcomes Framework development); Advanced Training (face-to-face in Canberra, up to 5 people — data collection instruments and validated tools, pricing not publicly disclosed).
- SICON (Social Innovation Conference) Annual social innovation conference series exploring and celebrating social innovations making a difference in Australia and globally, featuring webinars, panels and thought leadership from national and international speakers on topics including AI, poverty, education, democracy, and the future of work.
- Her Kitchen Table Social enterprise providing economic opportunity to migrant and refugee women and promoting social cohesion in the Canberra community, designed through SouLab's Action Lab with IWin (ACT) and operated live since 2021.
Quantifiable outcome
- NSW DCJ Dignity Housing Pilot evaluation enabled NSW DCJ to secure funding for extending the pilot for youth and elderly populations experiencing homelessness
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Social Outcomes Lab
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Social Outcomes Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Social Outcomes Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Australian National University (ANU)coreANU is a major research and academic partner for SouLab. The organisations collaborated on the ABC Trailblazers program impact assessment and on the development of a strategy to address domestic violence in NSW Muslim communities. ANU's Research School of Management (Dr. Sally Curtis is a lecturer there) and Yuwaya Ngarra-li (where Dr. Rebecca Reeve is a Senior Research Fellow) provide academic collaboration. ANU is also a major partner of SICON 2023 conference.
- ACT TreasurymajorACT Treasury is a major partner of the SICON 2023 Social Innovation Conference, providing support for the annual conference series.
- Australian Muslim Women's AssociationcorePartnered with SouLab and ANU to run a solution-focused workshop addressing domestic and family violence issues specific to the NSW Muslim community, with focus on cultural needs when accessing mainstream services.
- IWin (ACT)coreIWin engaged SouLab to run a collective impact lab to increase economic opportunities for CALD women in the ACT, and to design the Her Kitchen Table social enterprise operating model.
- Her Kitchen TablecoreHer Kitchen Table is SouLab's social enterprise, designed through the Action Lab to provide economic opportunity to migrant and refugee women and promote social cohesion in the Canberra community. SouLab designed and piloted the enterprise; it has been live since 2021. Annie Brett manages HKT's operations.
- Ashmont Community (via NSW social housing community)coreSouLab collaborated with a social housing community in Ashmont, NSW to assess feasibility of establishing a community-based social business. Through the Action Lab, a social enterprise (Ashmont Community Lounge and Grocery) was designed and piloted, now community-owned and operated.
- RaiseminorRaise is listed as a client of SouLab on the 'Our Work' page, indicating a consulting engagement relationship.
- Mindfull AusminorMindfull Aus is listed as a client of SouLab on the 'Our Work' page, indicating a consulting engagement relationship.
- Yunuyду Ngarra-li (UNSW)minorDr. Rebecca Reeve (Senior Economist at SouLab) is also a Senior Research Fellow with Yuwaya Ngarra-li at UNSW, representing an academic collaboration.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Social Outcomes Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nous Group: Major Australian management consultancy with a strong public-sector and social policy practice. Nous competes directly with SouLab for human services and government evaluation engagements across federal, state, and territory clients.
- Urbis: Australian research and consulting firm with deep expertise in social policy, urban research, and human services program evaluation — directly comparable in methodology, client base, and service mix.
- ARTD Consultants: Australian consultancy specialising in policy research, program evaluation, and outcomes measurement for government and not-for-profit clients — a close functional peer in evaluation and outcomes framework work.
- Social Ventures Australia (SVA): Australian social impact advisory and impact-investing organisation that works with NGOs and government on outcomes measurement, social enterprise design, and impact investing — directly overlapping SouLab's service lines.
- Sapere Research Group: Australian economics and research consultancy providing economic analysis and policy advice to government and not-for-profit clients — directly comparable on economic evaluation and public program assessment.
- Capire Consulting: Australian community engagement and social consultancy that works with government and not-for-profits on strategy, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement — a like-sized, like-missioned peer.
Broad incumbents
- KPMG Australia: Big Four firm with a developed social impact and human services practice. While broader in scope than SouLab, KPMG competes for the same outcomes-based evaluation and program design mandates across Australian governments.
- PwC Australia: Big Four firm with a dedicated social impact advisory practice. Overlaps SouLab on social impact assessment, outcomes measurement, and human services consulting at federal/state level.
Others
- Centre for Social Impact (CSI): Research and education body focused on social impact measurement, capability building, and policy in Australia. Adjacent to SouLab through shared sector focus and education/training mission, though primarily a research/teaching institution rather than a commercial consultancy.
- The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI): Australian social innovation lab that designs, prototypes, and tests new service models for vulnerable populations. Adjacent rather than direct competition, with comparable focus on human-centred design and outcomes testing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Social Outcomes Lab social profiles
Digital presenceThe Social Outcomes Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Social Outcomes Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Social Outcomes Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Social Outcomes Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Social Outcomes Lab
What does The Social Outcomes Lab do?
The Social Outcomes Lab (SouLab) is a for-purpose social impact consulting firm that sells two arms of services: (1) economic and management consulting including economic analysis and modelling, program evaluation, social impact assessment, social enterprise design and implementation, strategy and policy design, outcomes framework development, and human-centred design consultations; and (2) the Action Lab, a structured try-test-learn methodology that designs, pilots, and measures new social change initiatives. Supporting paid offerings include a three-tier NGO Social Impact Assessment Training program and the SICON annual social innovation conference.
Is The Social Outcomes Lab a public or private company?
The Social Outcomes Lab is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Social Outcomes Lab founded?
The Social Outcomes Lab was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Social Outcomes Lab based?
The Social Outcomes Lab is headquartered in Australian Capital Territory, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does The Social Outcomes Lab make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Economic and Management Consulting is the primary driver. The others are NGO Social Impact Assessment Training and social Enterprise — Her Kitchen Table.
Who are The Social Outcomes Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nous Group, Urbis, ARTD Consultants, Social Ventures Australia (SVA), Sapere Research Group and Capire Consulting. Broad incumbents are KPMG Australia and PwC Australia. Others are Centre for Social Impact (CSI) and The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI).
Does The Social Outcomes Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Social Outcomes Lab.
What industry is The Social Outcomes Lab in?
The Social Outcomes Lab's product category is Social Impact Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJANAL, Economic Evaluation & Health Technology Assessment (Public Programs). Its NAICS code is 541720 and its SIC code is 8742.