Ventures

Criterion Ventures identifies and solves social problems on a large scale by launching social ventures with internally developed ideas. Just as business entrepreneurs create and transform whole industries, social entrepreneurs act as the change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss in order to improve systems, invent and disseminate new approaches and advance sustainable solutions that create social value.

Criterion's hybrid identity in launching social ventures, both for clients and by taking an equity position with internally developed ideas is a unique structure in the world of social ventures. As the world of social entrepreneurship matures, Criterion is helping to create the methodology that can make social entrepreneurship more accessible.  Just like the oil industry's transformation from wildcatting 100 years ago to a systematic system with geologists, Criterion is moving the world of social entrepreneurship forward by applying the lessons we learn to both our clients and our ventures.  Our work with clients makes our ventures stronger and our work on our ventures makes us better consultants as we regularly execute on our ideas.

Criterion's model of starting ventures with invitation at the heart of the process from the beginning challenges the traditional view of social entrepreneurs as "rugged individuals" rather than as a process done by a community of caring individuals. Criterion harnesses the power and creativity of our network to help create better solutions.

Identifying and solving large-scale social problems requires a commitment, vision, and determination to persist in the face of daunting odds.  The Criterion team is rife with the talent.  Indeed, all of our partners are accomplished entrepreneurs whose innovations are changing the world.  We couple that talent with our proven methodology to launch Criterion's own big ideas for social change.