About IKEA Social Entrepreneurship
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship creates greater opportunities for people who are vulnerable and marginalised to live a better everyday life. It contributes to transforming IKEA into a more circular, entrepreneurial and sustainable business.Many millions of people face a constant struggle to provide for themselves and their families. Social entrepreneurs are often pioneers who use their businesses to make life better for those who need it most. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship works with social entrepreneurs who are creating a more equal and inclusive society, while also fighting the root causes of inequality, exclusion and the ability to earn an income. By collaborating, supporting and doing business with social entrepreneurs, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship can play a part in transforming communities into places that are full of opportunities for many generations to come.
Founded in 2018, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V invests in social entrepreneurs by providing grants and loans, giving them access to new markets, and sharing our knowledge so they can reach more people and have a bigger impact. Since 2012, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Range and Supply has partnered with social businesses in long term business collaborations to co-create products and services sold through IKEA global sales channels.
About IKEA Social Entrepreneurship - Short version
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is all about making a positive impact. By working with pioneers and pathfinders who use their business to make everyday life better for those who need it most, we strive towards a more equal and inclusive society.Facts and figures
These numbers reflect our journey to date.
- 6
Accelerator programmes
- 13
Business partnerships
- 197
Social enterprises supported
- 4
Investments
- 35
Countries
- 14
Sectors supported
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find a list of FAQs. Have a question that’s not on the list? Find our contact information at the bottom of this page to send us a message.
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IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is an umbrella term to describe IKEA’s activities with social enterprises. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Range and Supply partners with social businesses in long term business collaborations to co-create products and services sold through IKEA global sales channels. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V is a separate entity that supports social enterprises outside of IKEA’s value chain using a combination of financial and non-financial tools to scale their impact.
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IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Range and Supply is a team within IKEA of Sweden, based in Almhult, Sweden. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V is a separate entity within the Inter IKEA Group, based in Delft, The Netherlands. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V is therefore able to make independent decisions that allow it to address important social issues in a wider way, than if it was inside the business. It can also have a longer-term approach when it comes to exploring interesting social innovations for the future.
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IKEA has been working with social businesses producing handmade products with a social impact since 2012. In 2018 IKEA saw the importance to expand our support to social entrepreneurs both inside and outside of our value chain. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V was established to give the opportunity expand IKEA’s reach and use more combinations of financial and non-financial tools.
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IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is dedicated to enabling and accelerating positive social impact by supporting and doing business with social entrepreneurs and social businesses. As part of the IKEA business direction of a people, society and planet positive future and the Fair and Equal ambition in the IKEA sustainability strategy, it is focused on those who are vulnerable and marginalised. First and foremost, working towards a more equal and inclusive society.
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The IKEA Foundation is affiliated with INGKA, the largest franchisee in the IKEA system and is focused exclusively on philanthropy. Grants provided by the IKEA Foundation cannot benefit IKEA business operations or be integrated with the business. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is uniquely placed at the intersection of philanthropy and business of IKEA.
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If there is an opportunity for a social enterprise to scale their impact and business by partnering with IKEA – and if that it is a good fit to IKEA – that can happen. However, engaging in a supplier relationship with the supported enterprises is not a goal of our accelerator programmes and therefore there is no guarantee or desire to make all social enterprises IKEA suppliers.
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