Our services:
Catalyze Sessions
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What we offer

We make it easy for Knowledge Partners and Social Venture Partners to exchange knowledge. Catalyze Sessions are focused, 90-minute pro bono workshops in which 3-6 purpose-driven leaders (Knowledge Partners) interact with and advise a social venture on overcoming a specific challenge or seizing an opportunity. At the conclusion, each Knowledge Partner pledges to perform a follow-up action. After the session, we will track the pledges, facilitate further 1:1 connections, and support the social venture success along the way.

Sample challenges/opportunities:
- What types of partnerships should we forge to help achieve our full potential?
- Are we focused on the right markets and, if not, what new ones might we consider?
- How could we significantly strengthen our messaging on our website or pitch deck?
- How could we update, streamline or enhance our infrastructure to overcome a specific challenge we are having with our technology, HR, or operations?
- What can we do to let more people know about us?

Social venture view

Ventures may be non-profit or for-profit, may have a domestic, regional, or global focus, and may not advocate for a specific political or religious objective.

Criteria:
- Has a specific, focused question that must be addressed to scale your impact.
- Operates in one of our impact areas of focus: Core Human Needs (food, water, shelter and health), Workforce Readiness, or Protecting our Planet.
- In operation for at least one year and has at least two paid employees.
- Has a proven and shareable track record of success in creating impact.

Commitment required:
- C-suite, executive, or board member must attend the 90 minute Catalyze Session.
- Must have a representative available to support approximately 1 hour of pre-session activities such as providing preparatory briefing materials.
- Must have a representative available to engage in approximately 1-2 hours of post-session activities such as responding to surveys, holding an interview, tracking and sharing progress, etc.

If you meet the criteria and commitement required, apply here.

Knowledge partner view

Participate as a purpose-driven leader in a 90 minute virtual session. Along with a small group of other pro bono Knowledge Partners, you will share your insights, skills and connections with a social venture tackling a challenge. Add value, learn about the venture, and connect with peers on a common cause of interest.

Criteria:
- Generously share knowledge—skills, insights and connections—to scale impact and accelerate progress towards a brighter future.
- Demonstrate accomplishment in your field with relevant expertise to address social venture challenge/opportunity.
- Be ready to share further information via a phone interview.

Commitment required:
- Commit to be present for the full 90 minute session, on time with camera on and ready to fully engage, as a courtesy to the social entrepreneur and other Knowledge Partners expecting you.
- Exemplify our KIN values of compassion, collaboration, curiosity, and optimism during the session.
- At the end of each session, each Knowledge Partner will be asked to pledge a follow-up action, such as sharing a connection, reviewing materials, or building awareness of the venture’s impact among friends and colleagues.
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See our current projects page to view open Catalyze Sessions and apply to participate now.

Hear from our Social Venture Partners

"It's hard to get a team of six people that are all experts in their domains to come to one call and directly provide feedback and discuss possibilities. Startups are made because of the founders' passion for the problem, but they grow because of solid backing from people that share that vision; [we’re] glad to have KIN on our side, bringing in experts who are providing that solid industry advice that Aseel needs.”

Nasrat Khalid

founder and ceo, asseel app

"To have the uninterrupted focus of this group of superstar advisors was exciting and their supportive feedback was helpful and validating. They encouraged us to think big and leverage success - and they offered to help beyond the session, which we weren't expecting and for which we're deeply grateful. We've already started to think bigger, bolder, and with more confidence and direction.”

Liz Fanning

founder and exectuvie director, corpsafrica

"The KIN group provided us clear and practical guidance on how to hone our pitch and offered clear context on what needs to be improved.”

John Holm

vice president of strategic initiatives, pyxera global

"Every entrepreneur needs a supportive and dynamic network. Often, it is only through introductions that this can become a powerful support mechanism that drives the learning, development and growth, that will bring success. KIN has been this for us at Free The Mind Co. We have met and connected with many ideal partners who each bring their own experience and wisdom to the table.We are most grateful for KIN’s continued belief in what we are doing and all their effort to assist us in reaching our vision.”

Kim Normand Dobrin

Co-Founder and CEO, free the mind co.

"The Catalyze Session was phenomenal — to have that level of executives, across the board, weigh in and focus on my project - with preparation and succinct questions such that in 90 minutes we could get to the heart of my issues — this was an invaluable experience. I’m forever grateful to the Knowledge Pledge and its members for taking on Teach to Work.”

Patty Alper

Founder, teach to work

"What’s really unique about working with the Knowledge Impact Network is that it’s helped us be more organized and thoughtful."

Jasmine Nahhas Di Florio

Senior President, Strategy, Partnerships & communications at education for employment

Recent projects

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