Inspiring Minds, Changing Lives
We believe that high-impact innovations inspire new minds,
create new social capital, and perpetuate the spiral model of social innovation. In order
to develop and maintain the ecosystem of the social entrepreneurship industry, the Sonova
Institute was established. The Institute consists of two entities: the Innovation Academy
and the Innovation Factory, each having their own goals.
The Spiral Model of Social Innovation
The SVhk Way of Creating Social Change
SVhk believes in a model of social innovation that creates New Values, New Ideas, New Ventures and New Capital,
which self-perpetuates and continually expands. Throughout this process, SVhk provides the Change Makers that
inspire new minds, the Collaborative Platform that facilitate innovative concepts, Professional Volunteers
who support the incubation of projects and a network of Engaged Givers who invest in projects with social impact.
Social Impact
Sonova Institute aims to promote the culture of social innovation through creating
steady flows of social initiatives and interests; people, deals, and funds for the industry
through its two entities.
Sparking the Culture of Innovation
By helping the public experience and learn more about social enterprises through different
channels, the Innovation Academy hopes to inspire people’s minds; to arouse their attention
on social issues; and to think more to generate creative social solutions.
Developing the Pipelines of Innovation
The Innovation Factory leverages SVhk’s professional capital, which provides guidance and
advice addressing different aspects of the business, nurturing the pipeline projects
and developing their potential for venture philanthropy funding.
Our Programmes
House of Social Innovators
A platform that gathers & mobilizes social entrepreneurs and to generate & realize the coolest innovative ideas.
HoSI connects social leaders with educational resources, professional expertise, and most importantly,
with other passionate individuals who strive to make a difference.
Learn more
Social Innovation Academic Series
SVhk has partnered with a number of academies and universities, including the University of
Hong Kong, the Polytechnic University, and the Lingnan University, and conducted various courses
on social innovation and social entrepreneurship, e.g. Social Innovation Apprentice and
Innovative Entrepreneurship.
Sonova Explorer
By organizing tours and visits to local social enterprises, participating at international
forums and exchange programs with its international counterparts, SVhk hopes to engage
the public’s attention and bring in more global perspectives on social innovation.
Sonova Hour
Through inviting expertise working in different sectors of the SE industry, Sonova Hour
provides a chance for people to network, pitch and share about the most creative ideas
to tackle the social problems. Recent themes include The Secrets of Greenovation.
Sonova Lab
Workshops to be held in academies and corporate to guide participants through the process
of innovative thinking, and provide hands-on experience for participants to develop
creative social solutions. The Lab was successfully implemented in the Asia-Pacific
Regional Conference on Service Learning in Lingnan University.
Asia Social Innovation Award (ASIA)
An elementary, idea-generating exercise calling for “level-zero” social innovative
ideas for the most pressing and common urban problems in Asian cities. First launched
in 2008 in HK, SVhk now partners with Asian partners to collect ideas from more than 10 cities.
SVhk has since incubated Happy Grannies, a social enterprise idea that won the 2008 SIA award
in the Elderly category, from concept to company, launching in 2009.
Learn more
SVhkInsight
The research and consultancy arm provides academic research and consultancy services
for the social enterprise sector. Recent research projects include an academic report
entitled Money for Good: Emerging Trends in Engaged Giving and Social Investing.
SVhkShare
The education and event arm aims to change minds by organizing or co-organizing seminars
on social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Recent topics include:
- Metro Radio “10x10 Social Enterprise” Program
- Happy Grannies Summit on Ageing Population
- Microfinance Forum
ExpertON
A social enterprise consultancy clinic, with a panel of professionals from various
disciplines providing advice and network resources to pre-selected social entrepreneurs.
Honorary Advisors
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Ms. Annie Chen
Private Investor
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Mr. Mason Wu
Partner, Prudence Investment Management
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Mr. Cheung Leong
EVP and Head of China Portfolio Group, Bain Capital
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