Sugru’s failure to reach the mainstream –and its subsequent sale to Tesa this week– shows how crucial the investment in branding and marketing is in order for impact-driven companies reach scale.

Whoever said: ‘If you build it, they will come’ has a lot to answer for.

How many brands do you need vs. how many brands can you feed?

Can you build a brand when you are reluctant to make yourself into a public persona?

Here’s how to take the magic online.

Instead of a one-time fundraising tactic, consider crowdfunding as a long term brand building strategy.

Whether we call it NGO-speak, development jargon, academic lingo or bleeding heart bingo: it’s gotta go.

Are pivots a playground or total hell for a brand?

A brand is only as strong as the meaningful ways in which you bring it to life. Some inspiration for our friends in the daily trenches of social entrepreneurship.

Airbnb: Brand Purpose Case study
A great purpose, or brand essence, drives everything you do as a brand. Learn how Airbnb used their brand essence to lift itself above the price fighting competition.

It is easy to get lost in all the branding terminology. Get your mission and vision right.

One-for-one is an easy to communicate impact model. But is it ethical?

Block your calendar. Silence your phone.

One of our toolkit readers, Ia Lising from Japan had a great question: where can we discuss our ideas, challenges and dilemma's with other toolkit users?

Building a brand solely on social impact is not a guarantee for success, and it comes with risks that can take businesses by surprise.

As a brand developer, I’ve met countless social entrepreneurs all over the world: people with an extreme passion for social or environmental impact. They have a lot to master in order to make their ventures succeed – from setting up a production chain, to technology, HR, complex investment structures, and more.

Winners receive USD 1 million in seed capital, as well as mentorship and advice from the international business community. So how can branding help the Hult Prize finalists to win the coveted $1 million dollar prize? 

It can be frightening to realise how much advertising plays a role in our lives. The average person in the West is exposed to almost 5,000 ads a day, many of which are accompanied by photography. And what we see in these photos leaves imprints on our norms for beauty, happiness, health and professional life.  As a brand developer that deeply believes in diversity, a feminist and a sister, daughter and wife to men who are committed husbands and fathers, I am keenly aware of the opportunity I have to portray women and men in ways that support progress.