Entrepreneurship isn’t always the first stop on a professional journey, especially for people whose careers have been rooted in public service, social impact or civic innovation.
As the boundaries between sectors continue to blur, however, more mission-driven professionals are discovering that building something new can be one of the most powerful ways to drive systems change.
Building something new can be one of the most powerful ways to drive systems change.
That’s the spirit behind Big Table Institute’s Foundations of Impactful Entrepreneurship, a one-day program designed for experienced civic builders, former civil servants and purpose-driven professionals who are curious about what it means to step into the entrepreneurial world.
The goal is simple: to give participants the confidence to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway for impact — and to recognize that the skills they already have are exactly what the world of innovation needs.
This daylong program will touch on four key topics.
1) Rethinking who gets to be an entrepreneur
When people picture entrepreneurs, they often imagine fast-paced startup founders juggling product launches and investor meetings. But the reality of entrepreneurship is much broader. It’s about problem-solving, leadership and resilience, traits that civic leaders and mission-driven professionals have already been cultivating for years.
This program meets participants where they are. It acknowledges that starting something new can be intimidating, especially for those who haven’t previously identified as “entrepreneurs.” Rather than diving into spreadsheets and pitch decks, Foundations of Impactful Entrepreneurship begins with mindset.
2) The big picture: Building with purpose
At its core, entrepreneurship is a mindset. Entrepreneurship requires a way of approaching challenges and opportunities with creativity, courage and adaptability. Sessions throughout the day are designed to help participants reconnect with the “why” behind their work and imagine how that purpose could translate into new ventures or initiatives.
Participants will explore questions like:
- How can entrepreneurship serve as a tool for systems change?
- What does it mean to align organizational structures with human experience?
- How can we build more resilient teams and strategies that truly stick?
Through guided discussions, interactive exercises and real-world examples, the program invites attendees to think expansively about what’s possible when civic-minded professionals bring their expertise into the entrepreneurial arena.
3) Learning the language of entrepreneurship
While the day focuses on big-picture thinking, it doesn’t ignore the practical side.
Participants will be introduced to tools like the Impact Business Model Canvas, a framework for mapping out how an idea creates, delivers, and captures value, and will leave with information about ecosystem partners and local resources that can support their next steps.
Note that this isn’t a “how to start a business in a day” workshop. It’s an entry point, providing a foundation for understanding how purpose and strategy come together in the entrepreneurial process.
The detailed work of business planning, financial modeling and fundraising comes later. This session is about sparking the mindset shift that makes all of that possible.
4) Recognizing a new kind of founder
As the innovation landscape evolves, the most successful founders are those who can balance multiple perspectives. These people blend strategic thinking with empathy, creativity with structure and boldness with a deep sense of mission.
Foundations of Impactful Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a company; it’s about shaping the kind of leadership our communities need next. By helping professionals see themselves as builders and changemakers, this program opens new doors — for participants, for the organizations they serve and for the broader ecosystem of social innovation.
Because when impact-driven professionals embrace entrepreneurship, they don’t just launch ventures, they build movements.
