The Social Circle
The Social Circle is a non-profit social business school in Cantabria, Spain, delivering online microlearning MBA and acceleration programs in social entrepreneurship to individual learners, Latin American and Spanish underserved segments, and corporate clients (Chiesi, Port de Barcelona, LQDVI) via a gift-economy pricing and One-for-One scholarship model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersVillegar de Toranzo, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Social Circle does
The Social Circle is a non-profit social business school headquartered in Cantabria, Spain, operating under the legal entity Hola Ghana ONGD (Tax ID G39747225). The organization delivers education programs in social entrepreneurship and impact innovation, anchored by The Social MBA—a 10-month, 100% online program built on microlearning methodology (15–20 minute daily sessions across 250 virtual classes, 6 white papers, and 50 practical guides)—and supplemented by The Social Sprint (6-month intensive acceleration at 2,399€), The Social GIFT (3-month scholarship program), and The Social Series (custom enterprise training for corporate sustainability and CSR teams). Delivery runs on a Moodle-based LMS with Stripe payment processing and blockchain-issued completion certificates.
The organization operates on a hybrid revenue model combining sliding-scale individual program fees (330€–659€ for The Social MBA), higher-ticket acceleration pricing (2,399€ for The Social Sprint), bespoke enterprise training contracts, and contribution-based experiential events. Its One-for-One scholarship model redistributes enrollment revenue into free program access for beneficiaries via partner NGOs and foundations (Fonredess, Solabria, Fiare, Mamás en Acción, Sonrisas de Bombay). The organization serves individual career transitioners, aspiring social entrepreneurs, CSR and sustainability professionals, and corporate clients across Spain, Latin America, and 40+ additional countries, leveraging a curated ecosystem of 150+ partner organizations (Acumen, Ashoka, Sistema B, Impact Hub, MIT D-Lab, Yunus Center) and a faculty roster that includes Frederic Laloux, Yolanda Kakabadse, Christian Felber, Brian Robertson, and Nipun Mehta.
Strategic positioning combines digital program delivery with physical community infrastructure (PAS Rural Coliving, opened 2024 in Villegar de Toranzo) and a calendar of in-person events (Annual Summit, Regenera Local, La Caña Social, Giftival). All surpluses are reinvested into scholarships and social projects aligned with SDGs 4, 8, and 17; the organization distributes no dividends and operates under a moral salary policy.
The Social Circle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Social Circle
- Legal name
- Hola Ghana ONGD
- Website
- https://thesocial.mba
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Social Circle is a non-profit social business school in Cantabria, Spain, delivering online microlearning MBA and acceleration programs in social entrepreneurship to individual learners, Latin American and Spanish underserved segments, and corporate clients (Chiesi, Port de Barcelona, LQDVI) via a gift-economy pricing and One-for-One scholarship model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Social Circle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Entrepreneurship Education
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Business (EDAMAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH), Social Q&A & Knowledge Communities (BPAMABAI), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)
Keywords
Where The Social Circle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Villegar de Toranzo
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Social Circle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Program fees - The Social MBA: Primary revenue from The Social MBA program at 659€ standard price, with sliding scale contributions (599€ market rate, 330€ scholarship rate), and 50% unemployment discount in Spain. One-for-One model funds free access for others through partner NGOs.
- Program fees - The Social Sprint: 6-month acceleration program at 2,399€ (1,980€ launch discount), with 6-month installment payment option at no additional cost. Additional discounts for unemployed individuals.
- Corporate training programs: Custom programs (The Social Series) designed with corporate partners like Chiesi, Port de Barcelona, LQDVI for employee development and sustainability training.
- Giftival and experiential events: Free contribution-based events including Giftival in October 2025, with participants contributing voluntarily for future events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | The Social MBA - Standard contribution |
| Subscription | Annual | The Social MBA - Market rate |
| Subscription | Annual | The Social MBA - Scholarship rate |
| Subscription | Monthly | The Social MBA - Payment plans |
| Subscription | Annual | The Social Sprint - Launch price |
| Subscription | Annual | Latin American women discount |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Social Circle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Social Circle operates a non-profit School of Social Business delivering microlearning-based online programs in social entrepreneurship and innovation. Its core offerings include The Social MBA (10-month, 250 short-form virtual classes), The Social Sprint (6-month intensive acceleration with live mentoring), The Social GIFT (3-month gift-economy scholarship program), and The Social Series (custom corporate training), all backed by a community of 150+ ecosystem partners across 40+ countries.
Product overview
The Social Circle is a School of Social Business offering a portfolio of educational programs focused on social entrepreneurship and innovation. The core offering consists of The Social MBA (10-month online MBA with microlearning methodology), The Social Sprint (6-month intensive acceleration program), and The Social GIFT (3-month scholarship program based on gift economy). Enterprise clients can access The Social Series for customized corporate training. The ecosystem is complemented by experiential events including Giftival (annual gift economy gathering) and Regenera Local Santander, as well as PAS Rural Coliving, a physical coworking/coworking space in Cantabria that serves as a community hub. All programs emphasize peer learning, networking, and the One-for-One scholarship model.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Social MBA: Main MBA program focused on social entrepreneurship and innovation, using microlearning methodology with 250 classes of 15-20 minutes each over 10 months. Price: 659 euros with One for One policy.
- The Social GIFT
- The Social SPRINT
- Giftival
- PAS Rural Coliving
Products and services
- The Social MBA A 10-month, 100% online MBA in social entrepreneurship and innovation delivered through microlearning methodology (15-20 minute daily classes), including 250 virtual classes, 6 white papers, 50 practical guides, case studies from leading social innovators, peer mentoring, and access to a job board and ecosystem events. Priced at 659€ with a sliding-scale gift economy model and One-for-One scholarships.
- The Social Sprint A 6-month intensive acceleration program for career transition, professional growth, or social entrepreneurship, featuring 24 weeks of learning including 22 live sessions, 16 mentor sessions with senior experts, 6 one-on-one Agile Coach reviews, 250 pre-recorded microlearning classes, peer mentoring, and access to the Telegram community. Tuition is 2,399€ with a launch price of 1,980€.
- The Social GIFT A 3-month scholarship program based on gift economy principles for beneficiaries of foundations and NGOs who want to improve employability or start social ventures, applying the One-for-One scholarship policy through partner NGOs and foundations.
- The Social Series Custom-designed corporate training programs co-developed with sustainability, talent, and HR departments to embed The Social Circle's methodology into corporate academic offerings or CSR and positive impact strategies. Includes workshops on personal development, business modeling, sustainability, and organizational transformation, with corporate clients such as Chiesi, Port de Barcelona, and LQDVI.
- Giftival A 3-day open event based on gift-economy principles for inner work, wellbeing, and regenerative practices, where participants freely share knowledge and contribute voluntarily for future editions.
- Annual Summit An annual in-person community gathering offering a weekend of workshops, mentoring, visits to local entrepreneurs, hiking, meditation, and unique experiences designed to build trust and long-term relationships within the community.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89,000+ euros in scholarships provided through One-for-One model
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Social Circle
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Social Circle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
The Social Circle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Hola GhanacoreOriginal parent organization with 15+ years of experience in experiential education, volunteer programs, and international cooperation in Africa, India, Colombia, and Mexico. Co-designer of The Social MBA program and provided initial ecosystem connections.
- ZapienscoreCollective intelligence technology company ('Google for collective intelligence' for companies) working with Vodafone, Microsoft, IKEA. Contributed technology platform and expertise for The Social MBA development.
- BeForGet Learning CommunitycoreLearning community through which 7,500 alumni and 200 organizations have passed. Contributed pedagogical methodology and community-building expertise.
- AcumenmajorGlobal nonprofit venture capital firm that invests in early stage ventures. Fellows program and impact investment network. Students learn from Acumen cases and connect with the impact investing ecosystem.
- Impact HubmajorGlobal network of innovation hubs for impact entrepreneurs. Multiple locations across Spain and Latin America. Co-organizes events like Regenera Local and provides accelerator ecosystem access.
- Sistema BmajorOrganization promoting B Corp certification and benefit economy in Latin America and Spain. Advisor Pedro Tarak (co-founder) teaches in the program.
- ChiesimajorB Corp pharmaceutical company. The Social Series 2024 program designed to inspire and promote new change agents in Barcelona province, targeting Chiesi's local community impact in L'Hospitalet.
- Port de BarcelonamajorContinued training program for Port de Barcelona sustainability professionals in values, personal development, organizational transformation, social innovation, sustainability, and impact economy.
- Cámara de Comercio de CantabriaminorCo-produced podcast section on current topics relevant to Cantabria businesses and citizens.
- Yunus Center (Universidad de Cantabria)majorCo-designed Summer Course program with Centro Yunus, convened impact investment and measurement leaders for UIMP course.
- Red Impacto CantabriamajorCo-dynamized networking meetings with impact economy actors in Cantabria to generate social capital and promote authentic connections.
- EOI (Escuela de Organización Industrial)majorSpanish public business school. Partner in The Break European entrepreneurship acceleration program.
- Fundación BotínminorCo-designed 3-day encounter in Polaciones (Cantabria) to create community, identify local challenges, and form teams to build solutions for young rural talent.
- Fundación Lo Que de Verdad ImportaminorContinued training and support for young people from winning team of BYG professional accelerator to consolidate impact project and develop 21st century skills.
- Impact Social CupminorAward strategy design for all participants, providing scholarships and discounts for social entrepreneurship training and access to global change agent community.
- 3G OfficeminorDesigned learning journey to visit Coliving, Coworking, and Living LAB spaces in Europe and Latin America for 3G Office client (Junta Directiva de Caja Los Andes).
- Universidad ComillasminorHackathon co-facilitation for open innovation to promote impact economy in the region with participation of main ecosystem actors.
- Digital Nomads CantabriaminorCo-designed and facilitated La Caña Social event to generate social capital connecting social, environmental, cultural, digital entrepreneurs and people working for common good.
- Teal AdvisormajorAdvisory firm specializing in Teal organizational models. Co-launched 'Mujeres de Impacto' entrepreneurship program supporting women in impact ecosystem.
- AUARAminorSocial enterprise water company. Founder Antonio Espinosa teaches in the program.
- EcoalfminorSustainable fashion brand creating fabrics from recycled materials. Part of impact ecosystem.
- Mamás en AcciónminorSocial organization for maternal support. Founder Majo Gimeno teaches in the program.
- Sonrisas de BombayminorNGO supporting vulnerable communities in Mumbai. Founder Jaume Sanllorente teaches in the program.
- Service SpacemajorUS-based organization promoting gift economy and kindness. Advisor Nipun Mehta (founder) teaches generosity economics in program.
- HolacracyOneminorOrganization promoting Holacracy governance method. Founder Brian Robertson teaches organizational self-management.
- Fundación Dinero y ConcienciaminorFoundation promoting conscious finance. President Joan Melé teaches in the program.
- TriCiclosminorCircular economy company. Co-founder Gonzalo Muñoz (Club de Roma) teaches in the program.
- Nasco Feeding MindminorSocial enterprise focused on feeding minds. Co-founder Ousman Umar teaches in the program.
- PatagoniaminorOutdoor apparel company committed to environmental causes. Whole sales/product developer Agustín Labiano teaches sustainability.
- GuayakiminorImpact-driven Yerba Mate company. Co-founder Pedro Tarak (also Sistema B) is investor.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Social Circle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ashoka U: Ashoka's higher-education initiative that promotes social entrepreneurship in universities and runs changemaker education programs. Directly comparable mission (developing changemakers) and content overlap; Ashoka is also an ecosystem partner of The Social Circle.
- Acumen Academy: Online learning platform by Acumen offering courses on social entrepreneurship, moral leadership, and impact investing to a global audience. Directly comparable as a peer social-impact education program with strong ecosystem ties (Acumen is also a partner of The Social Circle).
- +Acumen: Free online courses on social innovation, design thinking, and impact-led leadership from Acumen. Closely comparable in format (short online modules, global community, social entrepreneurship focus) and serves a near-identical learner persona.
- Presidio Graduate School: Accredited MBA and MPA programs focused on sustainable management and social entrepreneurship. Comparable as an MBA-level program in social/environmental impact with practitioner faculty and mission-aligned curriculum.
- Bard MBA in Sustainability: Graduate program at Bard College centered on sustainable business, social entrepreneurship, and systems thinking. Comparable as an MBA-track offering in social/sustainable business with practitioner-based learning.
Regional players
- Sistema B: Latin American organization promoting B Corp certification and the benefit economy, with strong presence in Spanish-speaking markets. Comparable as a regional impact-economy educator and ecosystem player; co-founder Pedro Tarak is both a Sistema B co-founder and a Social Circle advisor/partner.
Broad incumbents
- Net Impact: Global membership organization for professionals and students using business to address social and environmental challenges. Comparable as a community/networking and education platform for impact-oriented professionals, but operates at much larger scale as a broad incumbent.
Emerging players
- Impact Hub: Global network of innovation hubs and accelerator programs for impact entrepreneurs, with strong presence in Spain and Latin America. Comparable as an ecosystem player that runs educational/accelerator programs for the same target audience; The Social Circle already partners with Impact Hub on events like Regenera Local.
- Yunus Social Business / Yunus Centre: Initiative inspired by Muhammad Yunus promoting social business and social entrepreneurship education globally. Comparable mission (social business education) and The Social Circle has co-designed programs with Universidad de Cantabria's Yunus Center.
Others
- Schwab Foundation / Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs: World Economic Forum-affiliated network recognizing and supporting social entrepreneurs globally. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem/credibility player in the social entrepreneurship space, though operating as an enabler rather than a direct education provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Social Circle social profiles
Digital presenceThe Social Circle compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Social Circle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Social Circle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Social Circle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Social Circle 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 Circle
What does The Social Circle do?
The Social Circle operates a non-profit School of Social Business delivering microlearning-based online programs in social entrepreneurship and innovation. Its core offerings include The Social MBA (10-month, 250 short-form virtual classes), The Social Sprint (6-month intensive acceleration with live mentoring), The Social GIFT (3-month gift-economy scholarship program), and The Social Series (custom corporate training), all backed by a community of 150+ ecosystem partners across 40+ countries.
Is The Social Circle a public or private company?
The Social Circle is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Social Circle founded?
The Social Circle was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Social Circle based?
The Social Circle is headquartered in Villegar de Toranzo, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does The Social Circle make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Program fees - The Social MBA is the primary driver. The others are program fees - The Social Sprint, corporate training programs and giftival and experiential events.
Who are The Social Circle's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ashoka U, Acumen Academy, +Acumen, Presidio Graduate School and Bard MBA in Sustainability. Sistema B is listed as a regional player. Net Impact is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Impact Hub and Yunus Social Business / Yunus Centre. Schwab Foundation / Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs is listed as an others.
Does The Social Circle have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Social Circle.
What industry is The Social Circle in?
The Social Circle's product category is Social Entrepreneurship Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAHAK, Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Business, with a secondary code of BPAGALAH, Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms). Its NAICS code is 8134 and its SIC code is 8200.